Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Thanks Nobbylad.

I'm a bit of a geek - has anybody drawn up a spreadsheet/checklist for a major service? I wouldn't want to miss something.

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

It's in the Haynes manual - so that's your first buy right there!

I think someone did do something in the past, you could always search here/SVRider.com.

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Bought. Amazon - £16.:smt035

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Good on you, you'll be getting used to that book before long

; )

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Good work! Don't forget to search on here before doing stuff as well...there are loads of good hints/tips.

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

This is a useful link http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/howto/svs_valves/ - but only from the point of view that it has some decent colour pics - DO NOT read the text, it's quite annoying :p.

The B&W pics in the haynes don't really help sometimes. The pics on the link might help you work out what the manual is telling you to do.

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Cheers for the link TamSV.

Will definitely look on here for hints/tips before I start.

I pretty much need to buy all of the tools as well. Any recommendations? (I like the idea of buying one kit, with everything in it, not sure if they exist. I have a bit of OCD...probably, about lots of tools from different manufacturers. Weird, I know!).

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

Halfords sometimes have 50% their professional range...I picked up a decent set for £50 and they have a lifetime guarantee. I think 6-sided sockets are recommended by most to prevent you rounding the heads on stuck fixings.

Lidl/Aldi (forget which) were doing some great hex key sets that have T-handled hex wrenches (allen keys) in the most useable sizes, with torx wrenches incorporated into the handles.

Apart from decent sockets, hex keys, screwdriver set, stanley knife, pliers/wire cutters, I can't think of much else you'll need. Stuff like grease, 3-in-1 or WD40 is always handy to have, as is a range of empty containers (ice cream tubs/jam jars) and the like to put parts in when you're taking them off the bike/cleaning them or draining fluids.

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

I'm thinking...I'm setting aside £150 for a small service - might as well use that to buy a good set of tools from Halfords (the professional range, as you say) - and do it myself. Going to start a poll on another thread for when to service...

Re: Bought my first bike yesterday. Needs a service.
 

The Haynes manual tells you when to service.