4k service

[twotime]

How much should it cost? got 20 miles to go, and want to have a Suzuki stamp in the service book for re-sale value.

Any clues?

edit - and what do they do exactly? my back brakes feel a bit odd, like they might be sticking or somehting....

[Mr Toad]

give Rob Berrington-Smith a call :D
he does a great job, and is very friendly & good value. Explain the brakes to him & let him have a look

0208 567 8585

16 Boston Rd
Hanwell
London
W7 3TR

you can drop the bike off with him & he'll give you a lift to the nearest tube (Boston Manor). Quite a number of people on here use him

cheers
S

[adam]

my 4k is coming up soonish, who is this fella? I need the suzuki stamp too really..

[Mr Toad]

see www.bikesmart.co.uk

used by Jelster & AlanSV amongst others
search for bikesmart on the forum and you should find a few references

:D
S

[E-Type Carrot]

Hi! Got my 4000m done today. Feel ripped off - £123 to change the oil (but not filter - so contaminate clean oil with a dirty filter?), lube the chain (which I do myself anyway) and, umm, well not a lot else really. Check a bunch of things (controls working smoothly, no excess play in bearings etc etc) but that's it. Oh, and stamp the service record.
I don't blame the dealer (Lamba in Carshalton) - they're doing what Suzuki specify, and I'm sure it's the same story wherever you go. Service was good, and they supplied a courtesy bike - I'm happy with them.
I also had a sticky rear brake. I asked what the dealer would charge just to check it out, but being cheap decided to check it myself. DISCLAIMER - I'm NOT a mechanic of any description, so maybe consult an expert before trying this yourself:
There's a pin on which the pads slide. There's a cover protecting the head of this pin. Remove the cover with a flat screwdriver, then loosen (but don't remove) the pin using an allen key (it's impossible to loosen once you've removed the caliper).
Remove the two bolts holding the caliper in place (awkward to get to, exhaust in the way).
Slide the caliper out and up. Now you can remove the pin, and the pads drop out.
Things to check:
1. the pin itself: mine is corroded and rough. As the pads slide on this, it could be causing the sticking. I polished it up a bit, and lubricated it VERY lightly (don't want grease getting on the brakes). I'll be replacing the pin ASAP, but this will suffice for now;
2. the piston. Pump the brake lever a bit to expose more of the piston. Stop pumping when the brake fluid reaches the low level mark, other wise you could get bubbles in the system. Clean any gunk off it using earbuds dipped in brake fluid. Mine shows two patches of corrosion, but not in places that will interfere with free movement. Not good (the bike's only eight months old) but okay for now.
3. the pads. Clean the wear indicator groove out using a flat blade scroobie. The backing on one of my pads appears swollen, and absorbs some pressure, hence more pressure needed on pedal before brakes work. Odd. I'll be fitting EBC HH pads this weekend.
Reassembly: push the piston back into the caliper. Pads back in place, pin back in loosely, hold pads in position while putting caliper back in place (make sure pads 'hook' onto steel plate), bolts in tightly, TIGHTEN PIN (don't forget!), replace cover, PUMP BRAKE, TEST THOROUGHLY BEFORE GOING DOWN HILL!
The dealer thought the brake light sensor might be causing the sticking. I reserve judgement. For now, the brakes feel better, but like I say, I'll be changing pads and pin soon. PS - does anyone know the proper name for this pin, and where I can get one?
Go well, be safe - Mark.

[twotime]

cheers for the info and advice chaps. good description for the back brakes.

do they really only change the oil on a 4k service?!?!?!? what a rip off.

i thought they would do filter and pads and stuff? or am i being naive?

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

Nah, even the manual says they only need to change the oil and give it the once over. It's possible that they might spot something during the check, but it's really just about getting the stamp in the book.

I've got my 4k service at the end of the month too... as soon as the 2 years warranty is up I'll be doing my own servicing! Technically the manual (at least for the k4) says that you can change the oil, etc. yourself and just take the bike in for the check over, which most places would be hard pushed to charge much for, but I figure most dealers would get the hump if I did that... I'll see how it goes, how fast they do it, how much it costs and then if it seems unreasonable I'd look into doing more of it myself.

Anyone tried getting their Suzi dealer to only do the minimum stuff - checks, etc. for the stamp, and already sorted the oil, plugs, etc. before taking it in? If so did they seem alright about it or did they get the hump?

[Cloggsy]

cheers for the info and advice chaps. good description for the back brakes.

do they really only change the oil on a 4k service?!?!?!? what a rip off.

i thought they would do filter and pads and stuff? or am i being naive?

Do it y'self (use the K3 service manual (on the main site) for guidance) - Buy y'self Oil, a K&N air filter & K&N Oil filter from HG, keep your receipts & job's a good 'en :wink:

[SV650Racer]

You dont have to change the oil filter every oil change - every other oil change is the norm.

Yes then the 4K service is general check over, including checking the plugs and a chassis bolt check along with lubing and checking chain adjustment (so they lubed your chain as they are supposed to do!).

Labour rate around £48p/h..Oil say £28..makes it 2 hours labour roughly..normally a charge of a couple of quid for saundries..like lubes etc etc.

2 hours labour is what is specified. Speaking to our mechanics its about right, oil change, lubing pivot points, checking plugs and air filter, adjusting throttle bodies if needed (rough tickover etc) checking pads. Its what suzuki specify so if they do their job properly then its quite correct.

Now you want it doing right surely!

[JakeRS]

i'm on 12k miles at the moment, whens my next service due? as far as i know its not had one recently

[SV650Racer]

Service intervals are:

600m or 2 mths
4000m or 12 mths
7500m or 24 mths
11000m or 36 mths
14500m or 48 mths

all are whichever are sooner if working strictly to the book.

Also depends on what was done at the last service but the basic checks should always be the same as per schedule.

Its all on page 6-4 of your owners manual.

[JakeRS]

ok cheers

[curium]

...lube the chain....
You're lucky! I've yet to have a dealer lube my chain and at the first service they managed to knock the scottoiler dispenser out of line so the oil was missing the chain.

My biggest grumble though is what they charge for oil. I can get 4L of Castrol Semi-Synth for £20, yet they charge around £25 for the 2.5L the bike takes yet they must be buying oil in bulk and getting it cheaper then me.

I realise they gotta make a living but for what they charge overall it wouldn't hurt for them to do little things like check and grease the brake pad retaining pins at service, tyre pressures etc.

Sometimes it's the little things that count and assures you that the mechanic has been thorough with your bike.

[SV650Racer]

Some places do some dont...but like the supermarkets that pack yer shopping and those that dont...

if you dont feel happy with what was done then say so and give them a chance to rectify...it does make a difference.. :wink: