Motorcycle Maintenance and customization is good for your health! Fitting the ICON 3 in 1 Indicators 

Totally with you on the "rant" at the beginning.I maintain,clean ,repair and customise my own bikes.It makes me feel good and keeps me going.This is all from a bloke in his mid sixties who is physically disabled,I had a massive crash in 2018 and then I lost my leg due to COVID.I ride all year round in all weather so there is really no excuse for the "Lazy twats".Cheers Stu.

Hi , just got my bike going again after a month of dramas. Found out the stater was out. I rode into the garage and went to start the bike the next day, turned over but wouldn't start. After much fiddling etc my son who is a mechanic at a Toyota dealership we both work at , worked out the new part we got was wired wrong at the factory. He swapped the wiring around and the bike started. The grin on both our faces was priceless. Back on the road. Haha.

Have great memories of "tinkering" on the bikes each weekend, doing my own adjustments and replacements. My greatest achievement was when my usual mechanic who had just got a new clutch for me, said he would happily charge me to do it. But instead told me how to do it myself with a step by step guide. Took the plates and springs home and changed the clutch in the back garden. This remains my claim to fame, and still gives me a self satisfaction feeling after all these years.

I'm 53, which means I built my first serious bicycle 38 years ago, and I've enjoyed getting my hands oily ever since. One of my boys has had a few years off the rails a bit, and is getting seriously into his bikes at the age of 18. Riding and especially mechanic-ing on bikes together is proving a not only a good way to maintain our bikes but also our relationship.

At 58 I've been fixing my own stuff for decades... Starting with Bicycles before I was old enough to get my first Bike (Honda SS50 5 speed).. I haven't stopped and don't intend to. Over the years I've fixed up hundreds of Cars and Motorcycles.. and Yes it does foster a can do attitude and the cojones to have a go at anything... I've only ever taken a car to the garage to be fixed twice in my entire life so far, due to time constraints; it grieves me to part with the money knowing that I could fix it myself... After my wife passed away last year; it was having the opportunity to fix up an old BSA B31 and customise it to be my own that certainly helped with my mental health.. So you are absolutely spot on with your assessment... I couldn't ride it was winter and the rain has been dreadful.. but I could spanner away. Now the weather is better I can ride it, and it does put in miles of smiles.... I've lived and breathed motorcycles my entire life and if the greens ever try and stop me enjoying life in the way I do... I'll be doing a Fred Hill.

Hello Stuart, like you I do feel that younger drivers or riders miss out when they don’t care for their vehicles themselves, even simple jobs appear to be avoided by them. I suppose years ago we had to make do and mend because we couldn’t afford to get things repaired in a garage. This actually builds up a pride in one’s vehicle but also keeps you attuned to how it performs and helps to spot some problems when they begin helping improve reliability. We should encourage the uninitiated to have a go! I shouldn’t let the odd negative post rattle you, the majority understand I am sure. I was surprised to hear you require a beep factor because that isn’t your usual style, steady on old chap! Cheers Kevin, keep up the good work.

I have no garage, so this winter i put the little enfield (royal Berzan) under a tent with a heater and my chair. Now i could do all the works done. The maintainance and all the upgrades for stage2, even the performance camshaft. I am so happy and thankfull that people like you Stu help us to be able to do these things. All those video's i watch come from you beautifull english people. In Holland there are very view. The main thing is by doing works on your bike is you get more connected and friendship with the bike. Really greatful for your video's you put on all those years. Thanks Stuart. Berry and royal Berzan

Yes Stuart, maintenance and customising is like therapy. Always feel good on completion of jobs.

I'm a retired trucker back to riding motorcycle after 35 years. I bought my '24 Bullet 350 specifically for its ease of maintenance for the DIY'er. I owned my own semi-trucks over the years and always did most of the upkeep myself. Over the years I found I generally had good luck with my trucks compared to other fellows, but I believe it was due to my more hands on approach. Now I happily do my own servicing of my bike with the side benefit that the tools and the parts being much lighter to manhandle.

Hello Stu. Enjoyed the video. My W650 gets a regular service every week. Personally I look forward to it, brew a coffee throw open the doors to the "hangar" a place of dreams,themes and schemes. Individuality is exciting! Personally i did after many decades of scratching on the floor , with a little inheritance did purchase a bike lift. I look at it as another special tool. All contributes to my well being if im not riding then the bike is on the bench for fettling. Keep up the good work 👍

Great video Stu. Surely, cleaning and maintaining your bike is part of the art of motorcycling. If you don’t clean it and maintain it, how do you know if anything is broke. Quite impressed with the quality of Motone products. I could hear a very positive click when you attached the loom.

I am an American. I am pleased to hear that the British name their motorcycles also.

Great video again. Im so glad im of an age where you took pride in ownership unlike today. Lease it, abuse it,get another.

Can’t agree with you more, part of being a biker is tinkering with your bike (partner)😊 putting your stamp on it , gives you so much pleasure.

Maybe an Interceptor project for me😀.....a combined indicator/drl for the front would be awesome !

Mechanics for me, have to be with in hours, from start to finish. My photographic mind only last that long. I have tried pictures and video and my brain will not retain short term memory for mechanics. If I do it every day, I have muscle memory. But it takes 1 month to even forget that. Not sure why. But I love life on two wheels , and that will never go away. I have many stories of screw-ups where I tried to do what your saying and has cost me 3 times the expense. I now just pay to have things done. I change oil and tune ups on my truck, give them a wash 2 or 3 times a year. But I have many other hobbies that I rather enjoy, photography on the beach, cooking, smoking a pipe and so on. Thanks brother!

Yep totally agree with your comments Stu , maintenance , cleaning & protecting is essential , and modification on bikes is each to their own I like to make a few changes and like to see what other people have done to theirs too , Very tidy those lights really suit the bike 👍👍

You are so right in what you are saying, you have to keep body and mind active, this is good for your mental and physical health. I am going to get my motorbike licence to help with all this.😎👍

Am with you on keeping the bike clean stu that includes the cars I’ve had over the years When there clean you can at least spot any potential problems heading your way! & just for the record I keep my shoes clean too!

I agree with the maintenance and personalising ethos, that is all part of the fun. A means to an end, which is a ride out to test your handiwork. My Father was convinced that his cars ran better when they had been cleaned and polished, I have followed in his footsteps. One thing………..I have a lift in my workshop. It’s a marvel, so “don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it “ 😉

I can really relate to your comments about age and staying busy. I'm actually a furniture maker but over the last 35 years, I've tinkered with motorcycles for the enjoyment, satisfaction and the knowledge the job is done properly. I do all my work on the bike while it stays on the garage floor. I do grunt a little as I stand up but for my mid 50's, it keeps me agile. I've just discovered your channel and really enjoyed your Royal Enfield bike tests. Keep up the great work

Dear Stuart. My notification bell works fine, always did. But I don’t need it, first thing every wednesday and friday morning, is watching your video while drinking my coffee. I know your lovely wife started her own channel. Could you get us the link again? I forgot it. We here like bikes and garden stuff too. Thx

I absolutely agree with your bike maintenance views here Stu. You don't necessarily 'enjoy' the task in hand but you get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from the result. After the recent fitting of a Fuel X Lite kit to my Classic 500, I am now fitting a complete Hitchcock's decat stainless steel exhaust system to the bike. I am not enjoying the process much per sae but the result, now that I have the fuel X fitted will make the conversion well worth while and hopefully I'll have the satisfaction of a job well done and a better looking bike too 🙂

Hello Stuart, Personally speaking, me myself and I think these indicators are a much more sensible size of indicator. Having followed a friend with the mini/micro indicators fitted I had difficulty seeing them in broad daylight, where they were located didn't help either.

Ya break it down well Stu . Continue to push ya self till lights out.

This great video reminds me, that motorcycling isn't just a mode of transport, it's a mindset, a way of life. I agree with everything Uncle Stu said. Everything about owning, cleaning, modifying and maintaining a motorcycle, enhances your lifestyle and personal development. Once again, great content!

Enjoy your videos and agree with you 99% of the time but my pet hate is mini indicators and other lights , just from safety point of view . However looks good quality kit 👌

Thank you, Stu. Much appreciate your rational videos, blending ghastly global realism with local joy. We do have the latter, even while maintaining “a weather eye” out for bad behaviour above us. Cheers! Mike

WAY TO, GO, Uncle Stuey1 If I can do a fiddly job like that at yor age as well as you do it, I'lll thank the gods. Keep it up! Bop till you drop!

Good Morning Stu , Very wise words this morning uncle Stu , thank you for sharing , take care , Stu

Thanks Stu for calling out “ the path of least resistance “ and by inference “ convenience” which together are the death Nell for the skills that inspire confidence, satisfaction and self esteem. Society suffers in the end. “Vermont “.

I was inspired to fit a new chain on my bike after your video. First time I have done one. It gave me so much pride and satisfaction. Great to learn a new skill. Thanks Stu

🙂 did my cleaning this early morning. And just ad the metal suports for sadle bags on my Hunter. I totaly agree with your point of view on this subject. Keep up! Thank you

Stuart, great vid, no fancy tools and garages as other you tubers. Agree on continued learning no matter what age. I’m a new rider at age 60. Even though I managed to buy a fairly new bike , I signed up for a night course on simple motorcycle mechanics. Loving it. Thanks again . 👍🏼

Uncle Stu, realized that you are back in shape compered to old videos from year or two ago, congrats about that. You are right but there is a big but. Some models motorcycles are harder to customize and it's slow and expensive. The classic 350 is an example with that clamp for the handlebar and it's mostly chrome finish. That is one of the reasons to let it go. The more standard the bike's equipment, the cheaper, easier and faster it is.. The Hunter is in example of that.

At the moment I'm in the middle of a complete rewire on a bike i have been working on , along with the grunting and groning there are a lot of four letter words echoing round the shed. While I puzzle over a bunch of psychedelic spaghetti hanging from the headlight.

I am a returning biker who specifically looking to Royal Enfield 650s specifically because they don't have shimmed valves - and while that means they need maintaining more often, it is one more job that I can and will do myself.

Can’t agree more. I’m proud that I keep my bike clean, polished and maintained. When I post a shot of my bike I often get sarcastic comments, oh, I ride my bike, you know the type.

You are so RIGHT Stuart 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 That is why I just bought a 411 Himalayan and not a 450 🙂

I just discovered your channel this evening, and I have to say, I'm really enjoying your philosophising! You echo many things that I have thought for years, but also develop those thoughts in ways that I hadn't necessarily thought of. Keep it up!

I've personalised my Triumph with few items, Adjustable control levers, Paddock stand bobbins. A quick.shifter plus a couple of pure ''Bling things''. ..l fitted, but then removed after a few month, a slip- on exhaust because the constant drone became unpleasant after a few hours. The quick-shifter is very handy when ''Giving it a bit of Wellie' otherwise at low speed/rpm it's clunky!, so l just change gear normally ..What I'm saying is, The once ''must have'' l didn't really need..But seemed a good idea at the time! Good Maintenance/servicing and cleaning plan is imperative for pride of ownership more than anything else.... or should be. At almost 78 l do wish l could afford, plus a place to install it, a Bike table/lift...because crawling about on the ground, trying to reach parts various...even an oil/filter change and chain adjustment is getting to be problematic now....

Good morning Stuart. Thank you for your common sense, heartfelt advice. I've recently subscribed and am working through the back catalogue and sincerely appreciate your approach.

Thanks again Stuart, for your insights regarding regular maintenance. However, I would suggest that over the long term, there is far less effort required to regularly and iteratively clean and maintain a vehicle over its serviceable life than to take the deceptively apparent "easy" path of ignoring maintenance and service. Here's what I mean--by regularly adhering to a schedule of regular service and maintenance, a vehicle (motorcycle or automobile) can remain in service for decades. Failing to maintain a vehicle leads to having to replace that vehicle every few years. It seems to me that it takes far less effort to maintain a vehicle and keep it in service for decades than it does to work to earn sufficient money to replace a vehicle every few years. Even if I spend $1,000 per year maintaining my motorcycle, it takes far less effort to earn that $1,000 annually than to earn enough to replace a $10,000, $15,000, or (not out of the question these days) $30,000 for a new bike every few years. Others may argue against this logic, but it has served me well over 50 years of vehicle ownership.

Like them .and the rubber weather bung (fiddle to get wires trough ) does nice job to tidy up the wire exit .

Terrific video. I completely agree. My frustration is that my wife hates that I have returned to motorbikes and she has a way of making it all seem reckless.

I like changing the oil, cleaning the chains.. easy maintenance is therapy, also saves you money. Not only with motorcycles.. I bought a bicycle with hydraulic brakes and found out that for the amount the shop charges for bleeding the brakes I can buy a bleeding kit and still have some money left. But I wouldn't want to do any heavy maintenance that requires disassembling too much stuff..

Brilliant video as always Stuart and those are a very smart looking pair of indicators indeed 😃👍🏻

Another great video Stuart can't wait for Friday's thanks so much you make my day

Hi Stuart, totally agree with you, I am 69 now and still messing, my new hunter after 12 months is still new, and my bullet 350 2007 is like new, fixed everything from being old enough, 11/12 yr old my dad had tractors and no brass so nights and week ends fixing welding and so on, yes my torso does not flex like it used to, but foam mats etc work good enough, no garage but now rent a 20 ft container, not ideal for winter bit every other day spend 2 hrs with the dooos open, don’t drink or smoke cannot afford to as addicted to petroleum fumes, thanks for the vids Ted N W biker dude, alias bay Bimbler

Usual good laid-back stuff, Stuart cheers mate. Fiddle with my little classic and serviced it from new . Guarantee the jobs done properly, chain bearings, etc, to spec and no 300 quid a pop for two valves and an oil change. Tried bits on some. I've kept some lost after a while. It's not transport for work as my bikes used to be. Now it's my pleasure machine. Again thanks Lee

Apropos of nothing, I was just thinking - as those classic British-style silencers you had there were on display - how nice that style is and how it’s not been much improved by progress. Then I was obliquely reminded of old German-style mufflers - as the BMW silencers were on the 1960s- like on /2s. Very nice and a very particular tone. Then I wonder how a modernized R60S inspiration and maybe an R80G/S -or even an R27 - inspired single - made in Indian might be. Then I remembered how old I am. Oh , and this is a nice maintenance video, really like it.

Never a truer word said in jest ,your absolutely right when you said about us (bikers) getting old 👍. If we don't all do the repairs needed or parts changed ourselves we might aswell put on our old people nappies now 😁!!!. COME ON ALL YOU OLD FARTS OUT THERE , DO YOUR OWN REPAIRS !!!!....right ,I'm going for a lay down and do my cross word puzzle .....NOT !!!😁 see you later stu ,take care of yourself and your family. Peace out ✌️

Building work still going on.....❤

I would put a little amount of silicon instant gasket in the indicator body wear the wires enter the mounting tube, this will both add additional water proofing and stops the wires rubbing and breaking

Very nice job👍. Also, re motorcycle maintenance, it tends to be the case ( although not always), the scruffier the bike the scruffier it’s rider. Also the word tw*t is very underrated, but a useful term. I use it a great deal.

I've all ways enjoyed spannering me bikes since i was a kid. manual in one hand, spanner in t'other and wife supplying a hand or two. and mugs of tea.

Love the use of the lazy T&&T! 😭😂 top video .

Well you won’t get an argument from me pal i have to admit that i’m not much of a polisher my last bike i owned for 23 years and it was still very tidy when i sold it and it had chrome all over it , perhaps thats why i ‘m not so keen now, but i do keep my meteor clean especially the exposed bits , i have the very base model which is a satin green fireball , i bought it to change it if you know what i mean but i want to keep its basic character but at the same time i want to lower it and give it a more stretched out look without ruining its road going so hey i get what you’re saying , I’m actually enjoying the problems , keep up the great work on your channel sir 👍😬

I'm 68 and have some difficulty walking more than a kilometer. I can ride for about one before I need to stop and stretch. Riding a motorcycle allows me to get out of the house to see new places and experience life first-hand.

Looks good , well done .

Three words: Amen

I lost count long ago of the amount of times that I discovered a problem early whilst cleaning my bikes and so got to solve that problem before it became a serious issue. Personally I'm not a fan of massive customisation for customisation's sake, but I'll always consider sensible upgrades or changing parts like standard exhausts for ones that I prefer to the standard factory parts..

I service, repair and tinker with, every machine I've ever owned.😂 55 now and never had a brand new vehicle of any sort. Spotted a millennial type lad today struggling with his car. A plastic wheel arch insert had come adrift and his wirld was clearly ending. It had come semi unattached and was dragging and making a right racket. He had two small kids and was in a right flap on the phone to a car recovery firm. I was about to ride off on my bike with my groceries frim Aldi, when I thought, 'oh f**k it, lets see what the problem is and can I help?' I undid the remaining clips on the inner arch. Pulled it out over the wheel and handed it to him. "There you go mate. Good to go. Take the wheel off when you get home and effect a repair." "Will it be safe to drive?" "Of course." Says I. "Does it need to go back on?" "Yes pal. Absolutely!" 😂😂😂 Blimey. There's some utterly useless numptys about. I dont know how some of them have learnt to breath in and out😂😂😂

What does the Fred Hill comments mean? I love doing minor maintenance on my Sportster as well as my URL I only have dealership do what I cannot do myself. I will be damned if I pay $100 to have someone else change my oil and filter. I got a great sense of satisfaction doing minor maintenance myself. Only those writers who have more money than God have the dealership do everything that is required to keep the bike running because they don't want to get their hands dirty. I wonder how many riders today would still be riding if they had to kick start their motorcycle every time they wanted to go for a ride. I enjoy kick-starting my motorcycle. I hate the p**** button. Instead of having an efficient flooring engine everybody has engines twice as big as what they used to have in the old days and then they complain about all the heat that they throw off. What's most new bikes today you can cook a turkey on them they run so hot. Bike carbureted Sportster runs 200 ° in August in Florida in the summertime. Can't get better than that. Hello from America.

What was that book? Ken and the art of motorcycle maintenance? Or was it Ben????

Just a thought to do with your threading the rain protector back, if it had sat in hot water for a while would it be softer and slightly expanded to make the job easier ?

Nice look on the Bobber! I'm not a fan of the tiny pico lights. I'm curious why the bulbs/LEDs aren't brighter and more centered. The light appears to use two colored bulbs. I would think proper LED illuminators could be built to be brighter and center the lights in the housing.

Hi Stuart, great videos.. I’m in the process of installing the pico lights and have noticed there’s very little space to hide the wires/connectors without it look cr*p.. Did you manage to tidy your wires up ? Any suggestions on where to hide them ?

Working on and maintaining my bikes gives as much fun as riding. Always has and always will. The dealer where I bought the bikes says I'm a dinosaur, nobody does that anymore. Shame.....

I live in a flat and therefore park on the road. So i have to clean, maintain and modify my bikes out on the street. I get sarcastic comments from passers by each and every time, particularly when cleaning. English people seem to think its funny that someone would wash their bike. I find it quite strange. Im sure these people wash their cars, and if they dont have a vehicle of their own then they simply dont know what they are talking about.

Hi there, will the rear icon fixing location be obstruct by pannier bags, or are they position slight higher? I couldn’t find a contact email etc on the Motone site, so I thought I’d ask you instead

Completely agree with the title! And although unfortunately, the chance to use this brilliant Yorkshire word has increased dramatically, twat is one of my favourite epithets!

When I bought my first motorcycle, some 58 years ago, my neighbour said to me " cleaning is the first stage of maintenance " . I still clean my bikes on a regular basis....

Path of CNN least resistance: you talk about me sir?

I wash my bike now and then, oil the chain, check the oil level.

Not sure my high blood pressure could cope with being raised further by my ham-fisted butter-fingered presbiopic fumblings...

There’s a lot of lazy twats about unfortunately!😂Great video, made me laugh.

going to miss the eu intervening in everything .

Just a suggestion, I have always named my motorcycles. I haven’t heard of anyone naming motorcycles in the UK.

Right there with you re customising your ride! Have a new 350 meteor first thing I got rid of was the rubbish heel toe gear change, then a tail tidy, windscreen, headlight peak ( right palaver 😂) probably more on the way😂 ally bikes get "customised" from my first moped at 16 thru loads of bikes to my retirement last year when I got the Meteor ( after selling a 1200S Multistrada) I've even built a Harley custom from the ground up! Tell the idiots who moan to get a life 😂😂

wear nitrile gloves, keeps your hands clean

I still love working and modefiring my bike for every day use. But now at 73 i enjoy my bike lift , i'm a lover of Norton Wich i've had for more years then i can remember ( must be old age) i would love to get a second-hand Himalayan for every day use,my best wishes to you from the Philippines ❤️💪👍😉😀😁🏁🏍️🛺🐑🇵🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿