£250 for a Service. Is This Good?

Valve clearances are pretty simple if you have a manual, feeler gauges, and at this time of year a heated garage. I think mine took maybe three hours, but didn't have to change any shims.

A low value torque wrench would be a good idea too, to save you stripping the threads the cam cover bolts screw into......

[Spanner Man]

Originally Posted by Mr_Chin

Bit of a bargain really!

In London/surrounding a major service is £350-£450.

Chin

Not here it isn't!!!

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Not here it isn't!!!

Sincere apologies, Mr Spanner Man - my quote 'surrounding' was way too generic. When I needed a major service done though, I contacted two dealers, one in Shoreditch and one in Watford. Shoreditch quoted me £350, whereas Watford, quoted a whooping £450! I had already checked the valves myself, and two needed changing, so quotes were to just change two shims , I could do the rest of the service myself. But luckily (I think?) the Bike got written off before I got the major service done (well, having the out of tolerence shims changed). I would have had them changed cheaper than those quotes too, as I was in touch with a well known Mr SS for the shim change.

No offence intended.

Chin

I got quoted £350 for a full service a little while ago at Riverside. Didn't take them up on their kind offer though.

[Spanner Man]

Good morning all.

No offence taken Mr Chin. Maybe we're too cheap!............I wish we could get £450 for changing a couple of shims

The term 'service' is somewhat ambiguous, but generally it refers to; As per the maintenance schedule set out by the manufacturer.
I have found that in most cases it's better to take into account the usage the bike gets, & tailor the service to the particular requirements of the owner.
For instance, a bike that's predominantly used in town for commuting in all weathers will usually need more frequent oil changes, brake maintenance, & chain adjustment etc. Likewise, bikes that get used for leisure riding in fair weather require less maintenance etc.
I see many bikes that have undergone a 'full' service elsewhere, & rarely if ever have tasks such as greasing suspension linkages or changing brake fluid etc been carried out. We actually do this sort of thing as part of a service, & customers do notice the difference.
It takes time to service a bike properly, hence, often a quote from us is not far off that from another dealer, despite our relatively low labour rate & parts discount (£36 per hour+VAT & 10% off parts to you lot) However you can rest assured that we have done the work you're being charged for, & that any parts used were required, & have actually been fitted.
Also all proposed work is discussed with the customer beforehand, & if we find anything untoward during a service we phone the customer to advise, & to get permission before doing it.

Joshmac, was it Riverside in Sunbury that quoted you for a service?


Cheers.

Very true. Competitve prices and a good reputation - these are what will keep a small business going, as most will avoid main dealers, and go elsewhere, as stated in some of these posts. What you have posted is exactly what most customers would like. Honesty is the best policy after-all.

Originally Posted by joshmac

I got quoted £350 for a full service a little while ago at Riverside. Didn't take them up on their kind offer though.

Really josh??
paul from riverside said £150 to me...strange!

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

Joshmac, was it Riverside in Sunbury that quoted you for a service?

Cheers.

I believe it was, yes.

Originally Posted by BBadger

Really josh??
paul from riverside said £150 to me...strange!

For a full service? You sleeping with him or something Maybe he has heard that my bike is bright purple and thought feck that, I'm not having THAT thing in my garage... I've a reputation to uphold.

[Viney]

No idea, it was 8 years ago when i had my 16000 service!

[Spanner Man]

Good afternoon all.


Riverside are in my old premises, which they took over after my ill conceived move north.

I knew of them when they were in Walton, & they seemed to have a good reputation.
However, since I've been back, I have seen some woeful work from them, & have heard of some considerable differences in prices quoted. I wonder what's going on there?


Cheers.