servicing question?

[trump-lady]

Ok this probably should go in the "questions Im embarrased to ask" but I want my own thread. It may have been asked before, but its my world and Im asking again.


So my bike needs a "service" which is going to cost 250 to 300 dollars. What exactly am I paying that amount for? What are they doing to my bike and why. How often should it be done?

TY TY and no laughing at me!

[sefer]

While I imagine that someone can tell you exactly what it entails, I'd say the best idea is to call the shop and ask exactly what your going to get for your money After all you can't assume that they are going to do it by the book anyway.

Let us know what store, and if it's a warranty service too, that'll help.

However at a minimum I'd be expecting fluid changes (oil, cooling, and I'd be wanting brakes done too), a new oil filter, checking the brake pads, chain adjustment and lube, a good look over everything else to check for problems or possible future problems, and a nice summery of what they found.

Of course I'm also a cheap bastard who does all that myself anyway, so maybe there is more they will do...

[jrandom]

Good question.

They'll check all the bits on your bike which get consumed over time:

- changing dirty oil and oil filters
- cleaning the air filter
- checking the condition of brake pads and discs, chain and sprockets

as well as the bits which require occasional adjustment, such as:

- the bleeding of hydraulic brake lines
- adjusting clutch and throttle cables correctly
- setting of carburetor twiddly bits to keep fuelling correct on non-FI engines
- setting valve clearances so that your camshafts continue to open and close the valves in your engine smoothly as they stretch through use

Et cetera, et cetera.

The cost mostly involves skilled labour at $50-$70 per hour, and it's worth every penny to keep your delicately-engineered baby operating as designed.

Any professional workshop should happily give you a detailed list of all work performed and parts used on your bike in a service.



In terms of how often it should be done, your bike's manual will state the service intervals - just take it to the workshop at the mileage points the manufacturer recommends. F'rinstance, my GSX1400 needs to go in every 6000km.

Edit: LOL, I forgot to mention coolant! That's what riding an aircooled bike will do for you...

[bane]

lets have a guess:

2hr labour @$75 +gst /hr = $170 (checking the things Dan just indicated)

4L oil @$60
1 oil filter @25

so far we're at $250...

[shafty]

Good advice given above, so long as you're "comfortable" with the shop and people - money well spent to preserve your investment and riding safety.

Its a bit like tyres, feel good about it and forget about the $$.

[trump-lady]

Good advice given above, so long as you're "comfortable" with the shop and people - money well spent to preserve your investment and riding safety.

Its a bit like tyres, feel good about it and forget about the $$.

HEY SHAFTY does the same go for racks lol

Thanks all, I knew it was something I needed to do but didnt know why. All explained now and I dont feel so bad parting with the cash. I do though however think im in the wrong profession at that hourly rate!

Now thats sorted and with my limited experience need someone to do it, where should I go. Im in Panmure. Also has anyone asked to actually watch what they do because Id really like to as I think I would learn alot, I need to know how my baby ticks

[Max Preload]

I've heard good things about the place on Morrin Road - can't remember the name for the life of me. That was a few years back though. Why not learn to do it yourself? It's not exactly difficult to do your own routine maintenance. Fortunately as an ex-mechanic I've never had to take a bike to a shop (except a couple of times when I was just too busy to do it myself and I took it to Warren out west - he's good but you have to book well in advance).

[trump-lady]

I've heard good things about the place on Morrin Road - can't remember the name for the life of me. That was a few years back though. Why not learn to do it yourself? It's not exactly difficult to do your own routine maintenance. Fortunately as an ex-mechanic I've never had to take a bike to a shop (except a couple of times when I was just too busy to do it myself and I took it to Warren out west - he's good but you have to book well in advance).

I would definately like to learn how to do it myself but first think I need to just watch. Thats kinda why I asked if anyone has actually asked to watch it be done. Plus I need it done before the 16th Feb as Im going to HOG nationals and will be doing some heavy riding that week.

I have seent he motorbike shops on morrin road but theres like three of the buggers...... lol

[ManDownUnder]

What exactly am I paying that amount for? What are they doing to my bike and why.

Ring and ask is probably the best way to find out. The vast majority of it will be doable by your good self if you have the inclination, and the purchase of any necessary tools to make it easier will easily be covered when you avoid the cost of the actualy service itself... well - the labour component of it. (An oil filter wrench comes to mind)

How often should it be done?

Service intervals are specified in the user manual and there should be a checklist of what they do alongside the various mileage readings.

Take a look in your bikes manual and let us know what needs doing. It might be worth someone coming over or KB having a wee training session where your bike gets serviced, you get to learn and have a go etc.

Edit - just found this site (http://www.triumph.co.uk/spain/1380.aspx) with all sorts of goodies in it showing the various service intervals and what they check/do. What mileage is yours on?

[trump-lady]

Ring and ask is probably the best way to find out. The vast majority of it will be doable by your good self if you have the inclination, and the purchase of any necessary tools to make it easier will easily be covered when you avoid the cost of the actualy service itself... well - the labour component of it. (An oil filter wrench comes to mind)


Service intervals are specified in the user manual and there should be a checklist of what they do alongside the various mileage readings.

Take a look in your bikes manual and let us know what needs doing. It might be worth someone coming over or KB having a wee training session where your bike gets serviced, you get to learn and have a go etc.

Edit - just found this site (http://www.triumph.co.uk/spain/1380.aspx) with all sorts of goodies in it showing the various service intervals and what they check/do. What mileage is yours on?

Thanks
Ummm I think I need everything!
I may go ahead and get the shop to do it but ask around for people who do it themselves if I can sit in and watch because I dont want to be a pain. That way my bike will get a right royal check as Im scared I will miss something do something wrong or put something in the wrong place lol.

Disco said hed service and possible be able to fix my rack (another ? thread I started) so maybe I will go watch him. So if anyones servicing their bikes in the near future let me know if you dont mind someone in the peanut gallery.

[vifferman]

What bane said is closest to what's likely to be done: just an oil change and quick check.
What a 'service' entails depends on which service it is, which depends on the mileage. The most basic (which is what "$250-$300" sounds like it will be in this instance) is just an oil change. Then there are those services where they check and adjust valve tappet clearances, check the fueling, replace sparkplugs, replace brake/clutch fluid, etc etc.

Like others have said, ask what the service includes, and get a printed invoice for your records. (With some shops, sadly, you have to check they've actually done all the things they've charged you for. I had one done which was supposed to be a full service, including valve clearances and tune, and I strongly suspect they didn't do anything other than an oil change.)

[trump-lady]

What bane said is closest to what's likely to be done: just an oil change and quick check.
What a 'service' entails depends on which service it is, which depends on the mileage. The most basic (which is what "$250-$300" sounds like it will be in this instance) is just an oil change. Then there are those services where they check and adjust valve tappet clearances, check the fueling, replace sparkplugs, replace brake/clutch fluid, etc etc.

Like others have said, ask what the service includes, and get a printed invoice for your records. (With some shops, sadly, you have to check they've actually done all the things they've charged you for. I had one done which was supposed to be a full service, including valve clearances and tune, and I strongly suspect they didn't do anything other than an oil change.)

assholes
By the sounds of things its definately something worth learning to do if not only to make sure it gets done properly.

[Pwalo]

If it's bugging you get a copy of your bike's service manual. This will give you the details of the maintenance schedule so you know what jobs will need to be done.

At least that way you will have an idea of what you're likely to get charged for.

[ManDownUnder]

Thanks
Ummm I think I need everything!

All good - just let me know the mileage on the bike and that'll answer what should be done.

[trump-lady]

All good - just let me know the mileage on the bike and that'll answer what should be done.

53000ks
last "check" was done after my off about this time last year. (after reading this thread though i too dont think they did a hell of alot) New tires and brakes put in start of summer.