An expensive week on bike servicing [Archive]

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SpankMe

18th May 2006, 18:21

Whose idea was it that having a small bike to commute as well would save money? Oh, right. It was mine. :o

Spectrum Motorcycle Repairs Invoice<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="600" align="center"><tr><td width="33%">Make: Honda</td><td width="33%">Model: GB500</td><td width="34%">Year: 1986</td></tr></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" align="center"><tr><td width="100">Airfilter</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Tappets</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Brakes</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">OilStrainer</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Baffles</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Shims Check</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Bushes</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Tyres</td><td width="20">☑</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Carbs</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Shims Adjust</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Cables</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Steering</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Cam Chain</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Spark Plugs</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Chain</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Wheel Align</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Exhaust Ports</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Radiator</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Disk Fluid</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Wheel Bgs</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Fuel Strainer</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Final Drive</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Oil</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Spokes</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Ignition</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Battery</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Autolube</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Road Test</td><td width="20">☑</td></tr><tr><td width="100">Points</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Bulbs</td><td width="20">☐</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Oil Filter</td><td width="20">☑</td><td width="40"> </td><td width="100">Salvage</td><td width="20">☐</td></tr></table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" align="center"><tr><td width="200"> </td><td width="100">Qty</td><td width="100">Cost</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Engine Oil</td><td width="100">2</td><td width="100">$24.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Plugs</td><td width="100">0</td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Labour Hr</td><td width="100">1.5</td><td width="100">$90.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Salvage</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Brake Oil</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Oil Filter</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$15.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">WOF</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Freight To</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">Sundries</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$5.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200">1x New Front Disc and Pads</td><td width="100"> </td><td width="100">$210.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200"> </td><td width="100">GST</td><td width="100">$0.00</td></tr><tr><td width="200"> </td><td width="100" style="border-left-width: 1; border-right-width: 1; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1; border-bottom-width: 1"> Total:</td><td width="100" style="border-left-width: 1; border-right-width: 1; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1; border-bottom-width: 1">$344.00</td></tr></table>  Colemans Suzuki<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="600" align="center"><tr><td width="50%">Suzuki SV1000SK3</td><td width="50%">Odometer: 54878</td></tr></table>Carry out 54,000 km service. Replace engine oil and oil filter. Service air cleaner. Replace spark plugs. Check over nuts and bolts. Lube pivot points. Check, adjust and lube chain. Set wheel alignment. Replace front tyre, front brake pads and rear brake pads. Set tyre pressures. Ride test - OK.<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" width="701" align="center"><tr><td width="701" colspan="6" align="center">Labour</td></tr><tr><td width="220">3.25 Hours</td><td width="180"> </td><td width="45"> </td><td width="45"> </td><td width="111"> </td><td width="100">216.68</td></tr><tr><td width="701" colspan="6"> </td></tr><tr><td width="701" colspan="6">Parts</td></tr><tr><td width="220">TYF265D</td><td width="180">120/70-17 Diablo Pirelli</td><td width="45">1</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">191.11</td><td width="100">191.11</td></tr><tr><td width="220">16510-03G00-X07</td><td width="180" rowspan="2">Filter Oil F/A500/RF/TL/VS/SV</td><td width="45">1</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">17.78</td><td width="100">17.78</td></tr><tr><td width="220"> </td><td width="45"> </td><td width="45"> </td><td width="111"> </td><td width="100"> </td></tr><tr><td width="220">SBS631</td><td width="180">Brake Pads</td><td width="45">2</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">52.44</td><td width="100">104.89</td></tr><tr><td width="220">A1201</td><td width="180">Spark Plugs</td><td width="45">2</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">20.00</td><td width="100">40.00</td></tr><tr><td width="220">SBS657</td><td width="180">Brake Pads</td><td width="45">1</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">62.18</td><td width="100">62.18</td></tr><tr><td width="701" colspan="6"> </td></tr><tr><td width="701" colspan="6">Miscellaneous</td></tr><tr><td width="220">MOTUL 3000 oil</td><td width="180"> </td><td width="45">3</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">8.00</td><td width="100">24.00</td></tr><tr><td width="220">Workshop miscellaneous</td><td width="180"> </td><td width="45">1</td><td width="45">@</td><td width="111">8.89</td><td width="100">8.89</td></tr><tr><td width="701" colspan="6"> </td></tr><tr><td width="601" colspan="5"> </td><td width="100">665.53</td></tr><tr><td width="400" colspan="2"> </td><td width="201" colspan="3">Plus GST @ 12.50%</td><td width="100">83.19</td></tr><tr><td width="601" colspan="5"> </td><td width="100">$748.72</td></tr></table>

So thats $60/Hour for Spectrum and $85/Hour for Coleman's. What’s the hourly labour charge at your bike shop?

onearmedbandit

18th May 2006, 18:24

About the same at Sportzone, I think $65 an hour.

Mr. Peanut

18th May 2006, 18:32

WHEELS IN THAMES

About $50 an hour.

Those mechanics are awesome :niceone: George has done some really nice work on my bike, reasonable about how they charge you too.

Maybe next time you go down to corromandel you should get your bike serviced then?

Flyingpony

18th May 2006, 18:35

Relative to replacing chain & sprockets:

Sportzone: $67.5
Cycle treads: $40
Budget: $30-35

In general the labour cost of servicing my bike is nil, zero, nada, because I do all the simple stuff myself. Feels nice to hold a crescent in the hands after being behind a desk all day. Also get to wear my blue overalls :whistle: Keeps the good clothes clean

cowpoos

18th May 2006, 18:41

lol....man I hav it good down here with repair and servicing prices...lol...fuck living in aucks...I pay $45 hr laubor for a start...

last service for the gixxer was $513 that was full service and set of racetechs fitted....

MikeyG

18th May 2006, 18:51

Free - I get the manual out of the library and do the work myself.

And as a perk a cold beer never tastes better than after you've done some work on something of yours.

Titanium

18th May 2006, 19:02

Seal @ 2.50
Oil Filter @ $27.22
Motul Oil 5100 4T 4 x $11.00 = $44.00
Workshop consumables 1 x $5.00
Diagnostic Tool 1 X $30.00
Labour @ $134.00

Hamilton Motorcycle Centre

Peter

Motu

18th May 2006, 20:38

So thats $60/Hour for Spectrum and $66/Hour for Coleman's. Whats the hourly labour charge at your bike shop?

Check out the location of each shop,I'd say ground rent at Coleman's was a shit load higher than Spectrum - maybe Spectrum are ripping you off as they have less rent to recover out of the labour charge.

riffer

18th May 2006, 21:14

Ouch. I'm damn glad I do my own servicing.

Must be my scottish heritage showing ... <_<

paturoa

18th May 2006, 21:30

colemans - 1 brake pad?????

I had a bad experience from colemans for workshop, but the shop and accessories are good.

klyong82

18th May 2006, 21:52

Mt Eden Motorcycles charges $60 a hour for labour on my 900. I think it is cheaper at $50 if you ride a 250.
Before I bought my bike the last owner just had a new WOF put on and said that Spectrum did the service for the last 3 years. but on close inspection all the bearings, pads, brake fluid, fork seals etc were in need of replacement. How the heck would the bike pass the WOF in that condition. Told myself that I would never go to Spectrum to do any of my servicing...

Ixion

18th May 2006, 21:59

It amazes me that bike shops can stay in business only charging $60 per hour.

sAsLEX

18th May 2006, 22:10

It amazes me that bike shops can stay in business only charging $60 per hour.

Esp when those crazy sensing murder people charge $160 an hour!

zeRax

19th May 2006, 10:16

wow, really do save alot from doing stuff yourself ;0

NinjaBoy

19th May 2006, 12:15

wow, really do save alot from doing stuff yourself ;0

unless its under warranty and you don't have a choice

zeRax

19th May 2006, 13:21

ah, true true, how long is warrenty usually for from most dealers? and whats the extent of stuff that you can do urself without voiding it ?

marty

19th May 2006, 14:32

i spend all night at work getting greasy and covered in oily spooge, and working on the bike bores me, but the only thing i'll let a bike shop do is change my tyres. next buy is a lifting stand to lift the busa with. should be able to convince the missus that it's a parking thing, and the bike doesn't take up as much room when it's vertical (as opposed to when it's on the side stand).

sometimes though (hasn't happened with the bike but does with the car) it's easier to go and do what I know, and pay the guy/girl to do what they know.

Paul in NZ

19th May 2006, 14:35

Jeeze, I'd recommend my mechanic but hes an incompetent, unskilled, drunken, broken down shambling wreck of a man who's only redeeming features are he does not smoke or charge for his time......

Motig

19th May 2006, 15:47

Good Grief, I didn't realise they were that dear. Pleased I do my own work (the basic stuff anyway) if its electrical or new tyres or serious mechanical its the local bike shop. I just didn't realise how much I've saved doing the oil & filter yesterday. Praps the wife will give me permission to have a :drinkup: tomorrow

vifferman

19th May 2006, 15:56

Don't worry, SpankMe - at least you didn't have to pay Spectrum for 'Slavage' or 'Whell Align' or 'Spkoes'; I've heard that those can be really expensive, especially the Spkoes which have to be specially made. :yes:

And having only one cylinder on the GB and only two on the SV saves you heaps. I've got 4 spokploogs to replace this weekend, at $25 each. And you seem to be lighter on both oil and the price of it than my bikes have ever been.

sAsLEX

19th May 2006, 16:04

unless its under warranty and you don't have a choice

Somehow doubt the GB is!

sAsLEX

19th May 2006, 16:06

at $25 each

You tried Repco for the plugs? Mine are ridiculously expensive from any Honda dealer etc but Repco were a lot cheaper.

Damn V4s having so many cylinders

Ixion

19th May 2006, 16:37

Jeeze, I'd recommend my mechanic but hes an incompetent, unskilled, drunken, broken down shambling wreck of a man who's only redeeming features are he does not smoke or charge for his time......

Yeah, and I've heard that he keeps putting the engines back in sideways, so the cylinders stick out the side. Must be a sort of dyslexia, eh?

XTC

19th May 2006, 16:39

There's not much on there that you couldn't have done yourself Spank.

Bonez

19th May 2006, 18:05

There's not much on there that you couldn't have done yourself Spank.
Exactly. Keeps the m/c mechanics employed though so tis all good. Lot of stuff not ticked on the servicing lists though...............

Paul in NZ

19th May 2006, 19:02

Yeah, and I've heard that he keeps putting the engines back in sideways, so the cylinders stick out the side. Must be a sort of dyslexia, eh?

Now thats an odd comment from a BMW owner.....

Mr. Peanut

19th May 2006, 19:02

I think this thread might be relevant, I wish I had found it ages ago.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=29589

NinjaBoy

19th May 2006, 19:12

whats the extent of stuff that you can do urself without voiding it ?

Well... actually nothing ! The workshop had a long backlog and the bike desparately needed an oil change.... but they said the distributor didn't like me doing that myself

Motu

19th May 2006, 20:01

Lot of stuff not ticked on the servicing lists though...............

When I worked for a dealer we ticked every box,then put it outside and got the next job.Bonus schemes were a good way to get mechanics to churn out the work....but also an incentive to cut corners....

SpankMe

8th June 2006, 19:49

Took a XB12R from AMPS for a test today and after the ride I was talking to the sales person as I wanted to know the service costs so asked him what their workshop's hourly rate was. $75 he said. :shit: Then he tries to tell me that this was pretty much a standard price around bike shops.

Motu

8th June 2006, 19:57

And what's AMPS's overheads? Get an accountant to work out what their hourly rate should be and it'll be more than double that figure.I've worked out what my charge out rate should really be - I'd be able to earn a living if I could actualy charge that much....bugger the blue collar workers,they want too much.

scumdog

8th June 2006, 20:01

As per first list, what the hell is 'slavage' and what in the wide world is a whell and a spkoe??
Sorry if it's already been pointed out.

chickenfunkstar

8th June 2006, 20:39

SpankMe

8th June 2006, 20:47

$75 inc gst?

$66/hour x 1.125 = $75 as well.

Good point. But Spectrum Motorcycles was $60 including GST. Maybe I should start taking my SV there.

justsomeguy

8th June 2006, 20:56

Good point. But Spectrum Motorcycles was $60 including GST. Maybe I should start taking my SV there.

Red Baron - $70-$75/hr
Mt Eden - $60+GST
Botany Honda - $60
Colemans - $65
Cyclethreads - $60
Davey Motorcycles - $55-$60

These are from my experience.

Grahameeboy

8th June 2006, 20:59

Good point. But Spectrum Motorcycles was $60 including GST. Maybe I should start taking my SV there.

I guess if you took out the tyre and brake pads the cost was not too bad....I have to have a service due to warranty but Colemans do a bloody good job so I guess you have to look at peace of mind too...12,000 service cost me $350...compared to a car I dread to think.....I am still in warranty for the car and all servicing is free...well until September when 3 years is up but I reckon I would be looking at $600 just to do a service and nothing else.

Cheaper fuel consumption although I recall you telling me yours was not too good.......suspect other factors here eh?

classic zed

28th June 2006, 14:07

$55.00 per hour, I carry our general servicing, Wof and electrical repairs, also electronic diagnostics mainly on cars.:D