Best servicing method?

OK this may well sound like a stupid question but I've been servicing my SV myself for the last year or so, its just done 18k and I would like to take it somewhere to get someone who knows what they are doing to look it over as I WILL have missed things or others will be due.

The back brake pads are already gone, after hearing the horror stories of people trying to get them out I'm not sure I fancy doing it. And just for peace of mind I'd rather let someone look it over, it's probably due some major checking actually as I have just been merrily doing the oil and filter clean etc.

So my question is: Should I take it to a dealer or will a private garage be able to do all the necessary for a heap less cash given that the dealer service history is already foregone?

If private garage, can anyone recommend anyone in the north west that is familiar with SVs? I'd be tempted to take it up to YC but its a bit of a trek and would need a couple of trips I suspect, first to see what's needed then second to actually fit the stuff.

Any thoughts appreciated as always!

[Dave20046]

Private garage! Although if I was you I'd try the calipers anyway

Hmm I did ponder having an exploratory look but wondered if I was gonna open a can of worms and make the bike unridable to get it anywhere to fix.

It needs some more in depth stuff checking I'm sure like clearances or something, I've just done the basics and to be fair I'm impressed its still running but it could do with a good going over by someone that knows what it should be like, I didn't notice the lack of brakes till the guy fitting my tyres said I had .5mm of material left (whoops!)

[Dave20046]

You can ride without a back brake but can understand your thinking. Mine was just a case of undoing the caliper from it's bracket (2 bolts) undoing some seized allen key bolt heads then spraying wd40 all over the pins, giving them a tap with a hammer and unscrewing them. Then just swap the pads, clean 'em up a bit check piston movement and apply copper grease. Your only eff up will be if the pins are seized, worth spending 10 mins checking I guess - one less thing for the garage to charge you for.

Hmm thats true, the quick run through does make it sound simpler and good point re the back brake, been going easy on it since I was told I needed to get them sorted.

Will get some ordered and have a looksee I guess, as you say, saves something at least, I should be less lazy.

Hmm any suggestions where I can pick up some pads today without paying through the nose? I saw that HG have discontinued them, are they a standard thing or unique shape to the SV? hmm a-googling I will go

Thanks for the replies!

[Dave20046]

Hmm I'd try any independant local bike shop or if you can wait a day or so try wemoto online. Don't forget copper grease (if you don't have some halfords sell it...but only in massive tubs and at a ridiculous halfords price).
When you come to trying to get the pins out ; on a pointy (unless someone's changed mine) you have to allen head bolts (that were very stiff/seized) then once you've removed these the pins are behind which I found actually suprisingly easy to remove (I'm guessing the allen head bits are there to stop moisture getting down to the pins and sitting there and possibly previous applications of copper grease might have benefitted me too).

Just checked local dealer, £16.49, seems good enough, I've got coppaslip, same stuff right?

I can change the pads without having to faff around bleeding stuff right? thats my biggest fear because I've never done it or seen it done.

Sorry for all the moron questions, I usually only have to ask the once though

[Dave20046]

No need to bleed to change the pads, coppaslips the same shiz, unsure on the price but it depends on the pads anyway. I don't really care about my rear so I went for anything (although think I ended up with EBC GGs as I was in a similar situ. to you and just went for what they had) think they were about £15 too. I know armstrong ones are about £8 though!

[Viney]

Originally Posted by Brettus

Hmm I did ponder having an exploratory look but wondered if I was gonna open a can of worms and make the bike unridable to get it anywhere to fix.

It needs some more in depth stuff checking I'm sure like clearances or something, I've just done the basics and to be fair I'm impressed its still running but it could do with a good going over by someone that knows what it should be like, I didn't notice the lack of brakes till the guy fitting my tyres said I had .5mm of material left (whoops!)

Its simple. If the pins move, then it will be fine, if they dont then take it to someone with a hammer

[punyXpress]

Just watch that the fluid level isn't high or it will P out when you push the pistons back