If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[daveuprite]

Do you do this? Or is just me?

Something's slightly wrong with your bike. Nothing at all major. Just a niggling little thing you'd like to sort out. In my case it's a minute little blow on the exhaust between the front pipe and the silencer. It can just be felt with your finger. Everything says, "shut up you tart, leave it alone".

But no, you have to investigate. You think to yourself this is a chance to take off the front pipe and give it a good clean at the same time as sealing the join up. Nice. But of course nothing goes to plan. The collar comes off OK and the front pipe is off, but it won't go back on. The old seal is shagged and you will need a new one. Ebay etc etc. The collar has changed shape over the years and now won't fit back on. Lots of pissing about with files, sandpaper and wire wool. Nothing lines up quite like it did before. It's a total horlicks.

You should have left it alone and poured a beer....

[PHILinFRANCE]

[bill_qaz]

Ear plugs, cheaper and easier to fit than exhausts

[Hugh]

Greetings,

Full empathy but no sympathy

TTFN

Hugh.

[chunky butt]

Brilliant, I know exactly what you mean, a fifteen minute job turns into a complete ball ache.

[qcnr]

Brilliant, I know exactly what you mean, a fifteen minute job turns into a buying a new bike.

[dodursley]

Yes a 5 minute job is actually 5 hours or even a 5 days if you need to order some bits.
The joy of mechanicing!!