I said I wouldn't and I have... - SV650.org

10-07-09, 11:47 PM

...not serviced it according to the bible of Suzuki.

Regular oil changes every 3k miles - check
Scottoiler fitted after only 500 miles - check
Chain checks as per the Haynes bible - check
New front and rear tyres after a little bit of rearwinter slidiness - check
Levels and fluids are checked regularly
ACF50 - as required
Regular washings - as much as is (domestically) permitted

So here I am. Riding it and liking every mile of it - about 200 miles a week, but am I neglecting it? Will it rust me out? Probably.

I probably will never sell it - having read the stories of "your" first bikes(!) - but I may get another one, what the "other" is - who knows when, who knows what.

Whats most important, nowadays (given the above), and 12000 miles from the dealership fromwhenceitcame, in your opinion?

(Please do not recite the bible of Haynes to me - I have that - I'm looking for the "well, they dont tell you this...." sort if information")

As always,
Thanks

Stu · 11-07-09, 12:22 AM

So, 12K miles & servicing consists of 4 oil changes?

nowt else?

11-07-09, 07:12 AM

Oil changes are very important, I change mine every 6 months / or between 4-5000 miles (i.e. after another 4000 miles I realise I need an oil change soon and will start finding the time to do it!). Spark plugs you would have wanted to change at least once by now. Scottoilers are great but still rmember to inspect the chain and do clean it, because crap will still stick to it.

How old is the bike? Has the engine coolant been changed? What about brake fluid (I've gone through loads of brake fluid on my bike

)? Inspected the brake pads for wear?

Anyway, you keep it clean in all departments, so thats not a bad thing

Matt

Bri w · 11-07-09, 08:48 AM

You're doing the stuff that makes it go. Don't let rattles go unchecked.

Make sure you check the stuff that makes it stop - sometimes you need to stop more than you need to go!

yorkie_chris · 11-07-09, 10:05 AM

Clean and grease the suspension bearings BEFORE they are rusted solid.
Clean and grease the brakes BEFORE they sieze.

Oil filter? Coolant change?

11-07-09, 10:28 AM

Sorry - omitted the various oil filter changes that have also been done with oil changes.

Its a 57 bike, so is coming up to its second winter. No coolant changes have been done yet.

Brake fluid levels are fine and the brake discs seem in good condition. I don't ride it hard. The brakes do exactly what I want at the moment and I never ask them to do too much.

The chain is in good condition, but I don't degrease and regrease it perhaps as often as I should.

The front disc however is starting to sound a bit scratchy, now and again.

Stu · 11-07-09, 11:11 AM

What happens if you never change the coolant?

yorkie_chris · 11-07-09, 11:24 AM

The coolant has corrosion inhibitors in it which get used up over time. Otherwise parts can corrode.

Biker Biggles · 11-07-09, 08:06 PM

Sounds to me like you are doing just fine.Id add that the valve clearences need checking every 16000 miles and you should take a good look at the brake pads to ensure they have meat on them.Bit of oil in the cables to keep them sweet wont go amiss.Personally Id not get too worked up about the coolant for a good couple more years,but the brake fluid change is worth it.

11-07-09, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Clean and grease the suspension bearings BEFORE they are rusted solid.
Clean and grease the brakes BEFORE they sieze.

Oil filter? Coolant change?

+10,000

Its a right pain in the rear end, trying to get seized retaining pins out of a rear caliper when its cold and you and your dad are hungry.

10-07-09, 11:47 PM	#1
ooger Guest Posts: n/a	I said I wouldn't and I have... ...not serviced it according to the bible of Suzuki. Regular oil changes every 3k miles - check Scottoiler fitted after only 500 miles - check Chain checks as per the Haynes bible - check New front and rear tyres after a little bit of rearwinter slidiness - check Levels and fluids are checked regularly ACF50 - as required Regular washings - as much as is (domestically) permitted So here I am. Riding it and liking every mile of it - about 200 miles a week, but am I neglecting it? Will it rust me out? Probably. I probably will never sell it - having read the stories of "your" first bikes(!) - but I may get another one, what the "other" is - who knows when, who knows what. Whats most important, nowadays (given the above), and 12000 miles from the dealership fromwhenceitcame, in your opinion? (Please do not recite the bible of Haynes to me - I have that - I'm looking for the "well, they dont tell you this...." sort if information") As always, Thanks

11-07-09, 12:22 AM	#2
Stu Trinity Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guildford Posts: 8,027	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... So, 12K miles & servicing consists of 4 oil changes? nowt else?

11-07-09, 07:12 AM	#3
Alpinestarhero Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... Oil changes are very important, I change mine every 6 months / or between 4-5000 miles (i.e. after another 4000 miles I realise I need an oil change soon and will start finding the time to do it!). Spark plugs you would have wanted to change at least once by now. Scottoilers are great but still rmember to inspect the chain and do clean it, because crap will still stick to it. How old is the bike? Has the engine coolant been changed? What about brake fluid (I've gone through loads of brake fluid on my bike )? Inspected the brake pads for wear? Anyway, you keep it clean in all departments, so thats not a bad thing Matt

11-07-09, 08:48 AM	#4
Bri w Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Turre, Almeria Posts: 668	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... You're doing the stuff that makes it go. Don't let rattles go unchecked. Make sure you check the stuff that makes it stop - sometimes you need to stop more than you need to go! __________________ *"It's not the years in your life, it's the life in your years."* Currently - Fighting the urge... seen a nice Triumph America Previously - Honda CB125, Honda CB400-4 & BSA B40, Moto Guzzi 850, Yamaha RD250, Suzuki GT380, Kawasaki Z1B, Kawasaki Z650, Honda VFR, Triumph Street Triple R.

11-07-09, 10:05 AM	#5
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... Clean and grease the suspension bearings BEFORE they are rusted solid. Clean and grease the brakes BEFORE they sieze. Oil filter? Coolant change? __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

11-07-09, 10:28 AM	#6
ooger Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... Sorry - omitted the various oil filter changes that have also been done with oil changes. Its a 57 bike, so is coming up to its second winter. No coolant changes have been done yet. Brake fluid levels are fine and the brake discs seem in good condition. I don't ride it hard. The brakes do exactly what I want at the moment and I never ask them to do too much. The chain is in good condition, but I don't degrease and regrease it perhaps as often as I should. The front disc however is starting to sound a bit scratchy, now and again.

11-07-09, 11:11 AM	#7
Stu Trinity Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guildford Posts: 8,027	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... What happens if you never change the coolant?

11-07-09, 11:24 AM	#8
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... The coolant has corrosion inhibitors in it which get used up over time. Otherwise parts can corrode. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

11-07-09, 08:06 PM	#9
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	Re: I said I wouldn't and I have... Sounds to me like you are doing just fine.Id add that the valve clearences need checking every 16000 miles and you should take a good look at the brake pads to ensure they have meat on them.Bit of oil in the cables to keep them sweet wont go amiss.Personally Id not get too worked up about the coolant for a good couple more years,but the brake fluid change is worth it. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.