15k service

[sv650jay]

my bikes just coming up to 14k so im starting to think about the big service. i phoned the local dealer up (marriot motorcycles in birkenhead) and they have quoted me 200-220 for 3 hours labour and parts this being a reduced cost because i recently fitted a new zorst and had by bike painted so i swapped plugs and air filter whilst the bike was stripped. is it me or does this seem a high price??

[Binky]

Sounds about right i'd say, maybe only slightly high. I paid 184, but i've been told i got a very good deal. Others have been quoted that price for a minor service and even more for the major 15K service.

Just phone around and compare the prices you are given and make sure they include the same things for that price, otherwise you'll get substantially differing prices, but may get less or more work done for that money. Hope that makes sense and helps.

[sv650jay]

thanks for the reply yer im going to phone around thats why im doing it now whilst my bikes just hitting th 14 mark, was just intrested in what everyone else is gettin quoted, 3hours labour?? i wonder if the machanic only has one hand? i stripped the bike fitted new exhaust swapped the plug and the air filter and preped the panels for painting in less time than that lol.

[Jamiebridges123]

It's valves service.. so of course it's going to take a bit of time..

That takes about an hour on it's own.. then you gotta do everything else such as lube clutch cable, replace if needed, check everything else over.. 2 hours is probably a round up from 1 and 3/4 hours.. 3 hours is tight. Anything more means go elsewhere.

[sinbad]

thanks for the reply yer im going to phone around thats why im doing it now whilst my bikes just hitting th 14 mark, was just intrested in what everyone else is gettin quoted, 3hours labour?? i wonder if the machanic only has one hand? i stripped the bike fitted new exhaust swapped the plug and the air filter and preped the panels for painting in less time than that lol.

Do it yourself then?

If you've removed the bodywork and radiator before then you're halfway there. Buy some throttle body sync gauges if you haven't got any, you'll still be quids in after buying all the other stuff and you don't have to be a genius to check the valve clearances.

[Alpinestarhero]

3 houts labour at what should be about £50 an hour, plus an initial charge I think. Seems a little bit high, but its not extortionate, and what price can you put on peice of mind? If you trust the technicians to do a good job, go for it.

[sv650jay]

yer they are good mechanics there they have helped me out before but it did seem pricey, has anyone ever done it before as i really dnt no what it entales, but am willing to have a go.

[thefallenangel]

dealers rates are pushing £70 easy now.

If you've done the plugs and air filter can i just recommened an oil drop, valves, TB sync and a general check etc . . .unless you want fork oil etc. . . done.

[Jamiebridges123]

What dealers are you guys using? :)

Pro-bike normally charge 50 per hour but I got my last service done for 40 per hour. Kawasaki in reading charge £57.35+ vat which can get stuffed!

TBH on an SV it would be a good experience to do yourself if you have the time, a haynes or even better, an official suzuki workshop manual. But doing valves isn't for the faint hearted, while it may be a technically simple enough job. TBH you're best doing the valves/plugs/oil/air/filters yourself and use the money you saved for the big valves + once over every year or 2 at a main dealer.

[sv650jay]

ive done the oil and oil filter last year aswell, i like to do it yearly but i thort if i have to pay for the valves to be checked they as well do the rest untill i got the quote :(

[sv650jay]

think i will look in the manuals and see whats involved and have ago my self. thanks for the replys guys. ill let you know what im going to do after ive looked at the manuals

[sinbad]

What dealers are you guys using? :)

Pro-bike normally charge 50 per hour but I got my last service done for 40 per hour. Kawasaki in reading charge £57.35+ vat which can get stuffed!

TBH on an SV it would be a good experience to do yourself if you have the time, a haynes or even better, an official suzuki workshop manual. But doing valves isn't for the faint hearted, while it may be a technically simple enough job. TBH you're best doing the valves/plugs/oil/air/filters yourself and use the money you saved for the big valves + once over every year or 2 at a main dealer.

I don't know what the distinction between "valves" and "big valves" is but I disagree, the valve clearance check itself is a piece of cake 10 minute job if you've already got the front fairing, seats, tank and radiator off and sv650jay is obviously not afraid of taking parts off himself. Adjusting is more complicated, but again it's something you could easily do yourself if you have the time.

Everything else in the 15k service is just time consuming......the TB check needs a set of gauges, and you need some very basic tools but that's all. Your choice whether to spend a day or so doing it yourself for the first time, or pay £50/hour for someone else to "do" it (you trust that they went to the trouble of doing everything, unless you spend the time doing the donkey work to check anyway you'll never know).

I'd say unless you have a very trusted mechanic or garage to take it to who will do it at a reasonable price or some kind of warranty requirement, seriously think about doing it yourself. Price up the consumables and tools you'll need and see what you'd save.

[Jamiebridges123]

I meant the "big" refering to the service, not the size of the valve! :D my bad :)

But oil+filter changes you should definatly do yourself to save money.

Whatever he does may the wallet god be kind with him. :)

[sv650jay]

haha the wallet god, think im gunna have a go myself, does anyone know where ill find the gauges required?

[Jamiebridges123]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-19613-Feeler-Gauge-Dual-Marked/dp/B0001K9QOA

For valves


andd...

[sv650jay]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-19613-Feeler-Gauge-Dual-Marked/dp/B0001K9QOA

For valves


andd...

Carb balancing gauges..

http://www.davida.co.uk/type.php?id=gauges

Made in England! and bloody proud of it too!

why do i need carb stuf? its a 03

[Jamiebridges123]

Ninja edit, my bad. I assumed it was curvey for some reason LOL

[sv650jay]

thanks for the links.

[thefallenangel]

get a price just to get the valve checks done or as a local orger to come help you for beer money.

[independentphoto]

why do i need carb stuf? its a 03

Because you use the same Vacuum Gauges to check the throttle bodies are balanced on an injected bike. And BTW it's a piece of **** - don't even have to open up the airbox and all the fuss in the manuals. I just carried out the very same service last week and the TBs were out a fair bit. Much better now for a couple of minutes work.

HTH
;)