My First Bike DIY Service

Used to do routine services on my cars but my first service on my bike proved very successful. Oil, oil filter, air filter and plugs were changed today and all I can say is its like a new bike. With only 4900 miles on the bike to date the last service it had was the very first service 2 months after first owner bought it so if going by time rather than mileage the service was well over due. The 'tractor' engine is now gone, gear changes are slick and the throttle is so responsive. As I'm new to bikes the way the bike felt previously was all I knew and now I realise what a SV650S is all about! To say I'm happy is an understatement. Oil changes every 6 months from now on. New tyres next (Dunlop Roadsmarts or Pirelli Diablo Stradas) and tight link out the chain and it will be perfect. Roll on the summer!


Oh fixed my horn too. The bolt holding the bracket on to the radiator had fell off and the horn was wedged up against the radiator. No more Noddy horn for me.

[Nicky S]

i found that when i did my bike i will defently have to do it when i get my bike back on the road bin siting about for 4 months now

Bonus u just saved yourself £170

About the oil thing

I topped my oil up the other day after the engine was louder than normal and the gearchanges not very clever. 200 ml's of oil later, and my engine is smooth and quiet and my gearchanges normal

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

Bonus u just saved yourself £170

So easy to do a service as well! Well I think my bike is quick now so God knows how fast your GSX R is!

Morning all.

I too am about to attempt my first DIY service. The bike is 4 years old and its the first time it will have been serviced by me.

Are there any hints and tips/advice that I need to tak on board?

I intend to change, oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and the front brakes. Also how often does the chain/sprocket need changing (I've done about 10,000 miles I think) and is that a DIY job?

Many thanks

Ste

[Dave20046]

Chain may be due for a swap soon (and with it the sprockets). If you have an air compressor you might get away with cleaning the air filter, unless it's been 10k since that was swapped too. Oil needs changing regular on th sv in my opinion as they don't hold an awful lot (and with it the oil filter, they're only about £5. Tip - Don't over tighten the oil filter do it as tight as you can with your hand, drain the oil when the engine's pretty warm - helps shift the crap...as it's draining lean the bike right over side to side.

[Dave20046]

also smear a bit of engine oil over the rubber seal on the oil filter before installing it.
Front spark plug is a hassle on the sv (I just removed the radiator and drained the system while I was at it and renewed the water/coolant). Chain is pretty DIY but on the sv you have to cut/grind the old chain apart to remove it and then you'll need to clip the chain together with a split link and ride to your local shop to get it rivetted properly

Originally Posted by stephencassidy

Morning all.

I too am about to attempt my first DIY service. The bike is 4 years old and its the first time it will have been serviced by me.

Are there any hints and tips/advice that I need to tak on board?

I intend to change, oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs and the front brakes. Also how often does the chain/sprocket need changing (I've done about 10,000 miles I think) and is that a DIY job?

Many thanks

Ste

Chain/sprocket depends on wear/condition. Go to 3 o clock on the sprocket and pull the chain out. If you do it easily they need changing. Also if there's any noticeable wear on the chain then it's worth changing. You'll need at the very least a 1/2" socket set, hacksaw, chain riveter and allen keys/or 1/4 " socket set depending whats on the front sprocket.

Undo the front sprocket nut by getting someone to sit on the bike and jam the brakes on. Remove front sprocket, cut the chain off (hacksaw takes a while mind a grinder is easier). Take rear wheel out, remove rear sprocket, swap front sprocket, put the wheel back on and rivet in new chain.*

*A Lot easier said than done.

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Front spark plug is a hassle on the sv (I just removed the radiator and drained the system while I was at it and renewed the water/coolant).

do you always need to drain and remove the rad or can you get away with not draining it and just letting it rest on the hoses, or can you get away without removing the rad aswel.