Thread: Best practices

Hey Everyone,

I would like to start this thread sharing our "best practices" for all of us to learn from. E.G.

• Always spray the rusty nuts and bolts with WD-40 or the like before disassembly to ease removal
• I use WD-40 on the gaskets during disassemby spraying and genlty coaxing mating surfaces apart. I can usually save the gasket that way. I also spray new gaskets where applicable with WD-40 so that they remain supple and come apart easier if I have to get back into that assembly.
• Sometimes just a little tightening first can help in removing fasteners
• Those cardboard bottoms that cases of water bottles come in make great parts and tool holders as they have sides on them to keep things together and to help keep your work area clean. When too dirty just recycle.

Well that's enough from me right now. Please share yours.

After reading a few posts I was reminded of the number one best practice and that is PATIENCE. Patience is your number one tool in the battle of mechanics.

I've found that keeping the alcohol consumption to a minimum when working on an old bike is a good idea..

I was restoring my '72 CL175 and busted the side cover in a million pieces trying to take it off.. one too many gin & tonics..

I also agree with the OP.. liberal use of WD-40 seems to make much of the dissasambly job go much easier..