Best manual?
- seelyark1
- Posts: 655
- Joined: Sun May 27, 2012 1:57 pm
- Location: Dunnellon, Florida
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1998 GL1500 SE Totaled
1984 VT500C
1967 CB550-4
Re: Best manual?
Both are fair for some problems, but the Honda manual will work well for 99% of problems. Although not nearly as cheap as the other two. It will pay for itself in time.
Ride safe, and smart. Asphalt is like #1 grit sandpaper. Dave
- hap2
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: Best manual?
It's actually for my car, but anyway; thank u
- redbug
- Posts: 538
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:22 am
- Location: Broken Arrow,Ok
- Motorcycle: 1983 Gl1100I
1986 Harley FLHT
Re: Best manual?
try Alldata.com they have all manuals(for autos) on line and you purchase by the year, reasonable on price
" Riding on Tulsa Time "
- hap2
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: Best manual?
Thanx alot. I'll givem a whirl.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Best manual?
For my cars I always used a Haynes manual, but as I got more and more experienced, I found that the amount of useful information in them that was either a) not patently obvious, or b) something that I didn't already know, was diminishing. Also, you'd get a Haynes manual that dedicated four pages on how to change the oil, and then maybe three pages on rebuilding the transmission. I mean, come on.
Starting with my Ford Explorer, I gave up on Haynes/Chilton and started buying the factory manuals, and I wouldn't go back.
Starting with my Ford Explorer, I gave up on Haynes/Chilton and started buying the factory manuals, and I wouldn't go back.
- hap2
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: Best manual?
ok thanx.
Sounds like Haynes'd b good for kindergarten kids.
Sounds like Haynes'd b good for kindergarten kids.
- DenverWinger
- Posts: 1706
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- Location: Denver, CO
- Motorcycle: (s)
1980 GL1100 STD Vetter (2005-)
1993 GL1500 Aspencade (2017-)
1983 Trav-Lite Camper (2010-)
Past rides
1972 CL350 (1980-1988) sold
1978 Suzuki GS550 (1985-2005) sold
1977 GL1000 (2002-2006) sold
Re: Best manual?
The Haynes book I got for my GF's 1999 Grand Prix covers Chevy-Buick-Olds-Pontiac models 1988-2007 and eight different engines. And only half the size of the Clymer GL-1500 book. Precious little vehicle-specific information.... 

♫ 99 Little Bugs in the Code, ♪
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫
♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪
~Mark
♪ 99 Bugs in the Code. ♫

♫ Take one down, Patch it around, ♪
♫ 127 Little Bugs in the Code. ♫ ♪

~Mark
- Sadanorakman
- Posts: 272
- Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2017 1:42 pm
- Location: Leicester, ENGLAND
- Motorcycle: 1991 GL1500 SE
Re: Best manual?
For my cars, I hit ebay, and buy a copy of the manufacturers service manual on CD for a few pounds. Nothing like having an original shop manual.
Was speaking with my 19yr old son today: he has no idea what 'vertical hold' refers to.
- Stew
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:40 am
- Location: Smokey Point, WA - USA
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
2005 Honda CRF230F
Previous bikes:
2003 Honda Ruckus
1993 Honda Elite 50 SR
1986 Honda CR125R
1979 Yamaha GT80
Re: Best manual?
That was my experience too. And for the chapters on things like rebuilding transmissions and engines... I did rebuild and engine once but anymore I think most people would just find a low mileage engine or transmission from the junkyard rather than rebuild.WingAdmin wrote: ↑Wed Apr 11, 2018 8:01 am For my cars I always used a Haynes manual, but as I got more and more experienced, I found that the amount of useful information in them that was either a) not patently obvious, or b) something that I didn't already know, was diminishing. Also, you'd get a Haynes manual that dedicated four pages on how to change the oil, and then maybe three pages on rebuilding the transmission. I mean, come on.
Starting with my Ford Explorer, I gave up on Haynes/Chilton and started buying the factory manuals, and I wouldn't go back.
Winging it every chance I get 
19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 28,659 miles and counting as of Sep 11, 2020!

19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 28,659 miles and counting as of Sep 11, 2020!
- hap2
- Posts: 887
- Joined: Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:00 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Motorcycle: 1992 GoldWing 1500SE
Re: Best manual?
Just trying to find the best manual (be it service manual, workshop manual, or owners manual [whatever the difference, if any, is in those]) that very illustrated & easy to follow to, say change & adjust the 3 ebrake cables on my 1987 RX-7
- Stew
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:40 am
- Location: Smokey Point, WA - USA
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
2005 Honda CRF230F
Previous bikes:
2003 Honda Ruckus
1993 Honda Elite 50 SR
1986 Honda CR125R
1979 Yamaha GT80
Re: Best manual?
I think aftermarket service manuals like Chilton and Haynes tend to be written for the less experienced person, factory service manuals I think usually have better more useful info but are better for a more experienced person and usually cost a lot more. At the end of the day though either one will have most info and specs you need, anything else you'll find on this forum 

Winging it every chance I get 
19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 28,659 miles and counting as of Sep 11, 2020!

19,119 miles when I got it from dad Oct 15, 2017 --- 28,659 miles and counting as of Sep 11, 2020!
- Scooter363y
- Posts: 182
- Joined: Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:39 pm
- Location: Marysville,ohio
- Motorcycle: 2014 gl1800
Re: Best manual?
What manual is best?
Well the chiltons is better for starting fires. The paper seems to be less waxy and catches fire easily
The Hanes is better suited to propping doors open than just about anything else
For actual repair work I always use the factory manuals. As these are written by the people who designed the product. The specs plus any special tool are listed that are needed for the job
Have fun
Scooter
Well the chiltons is better for starting fires. The paper seems to be less waxy and catches fire easily
The Hanes is better suited to propping doors open than just about anything else
For actual repair work I always use the factory manuals. As these are written by the people who designed the product. The specs plus any special tool are listed that are needed for the job
Have fun
Scooter