Doing maintenance on your bike can save you money and be enjoyable too. Some regular maintenance doesn't require advanced skills or knowledge. Youtube is a great resource for step by step instruction. I recommend starting with changing oil and oil filter on your bike. The investment in tools is minimal. All you need is an open end wrench (specific size for your drain plug) to remove the drain plug, a oil filter wrench, a container to drain the used oil into and a funnel to add the new oil. You may want to purchase a service manual for your bike, especially if you want to try additional maintenance projects. Other possible beginner maintenance would be checking air pressure in your tires. Make sure you purchase a good tire gauge and if you want an inexpensive air compressor will allow you to do this at your home. Lubricating cables, cleaning brake rotors and brake shoes are other simple tasks. If your cycle has a chain drive, cleaning, lubricating and tightening your chain are also beginner projects. Tightening your chain would require you to purchase a torque wrench to assure you tighten the rear axle to required specifications.
I think the next project could be replacing your tires. This would require purchasing about $200 in tools. You would need specific socket wrenches, torque wrench, valve stem remover, tire irons, rim protectors, bead breaker and wheel balancing stand. In my area it costs $50 per tire to have this done at a bike shop, so you will recoup your investment very quickly. There are good Youtube videos that you can watch to help you decide, if you want to tackle this project. I have been doing my own tires for 8 years and although it is a bit of work and wrestling with getting tires on and off I enjoy it. Below are a few pictures to give you some idea of the process. I forgot to take a picture of my balancing axle I use, which I purchased a Aerostitch of Duluth. Other maintenance projects that I do are brake pad replacement, valve adjustment, cable replacement, battery care and cooling system care.
New Tire ready to ride
Ready to install
Rear wheel off, center stand or jack required to remove the wheel
Removing old well worn tire
Using tire irons and rim protectors to remove old tire
Bead breaker
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