Servicing your bike yourself

[Blue Flame]

I see a few comments on here about how the only service that some would take to the dealers is the 15,000 mile one.

Why is that ??

I can't see anything in the maintenance chart of the handbook that implies any specialist tools or particular service requirments that are required. Or am i not lookin rite ?

I do everything now... if I get stuck I come on here, get advice. Though it does help having another SV for spares, means I can keep it going while I replace those spare. Plus I have a mate who a army mech who does bikes too if I get really stuck. Good bloke and good prices.

I have a chain and sprokets, oil and a filter in the cuboard ready for when I need it.

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

I see a few comments on here about how the only service that some would take to the dealers is the 15,000 mile one.

Why is that ??

I can't see anything in the maintenance chart of the handbook that implies any specialist tools or particular service requirments that are required. Or am i not lookin rite ?

Around 15,000 miles is the valve clearances, which involve going into the engine a bit more. Nothing that can't be done at home if you're happy to go in that far. A lot of people don't bother doing the valves and rumours abound of bikes that never have them done until after 50,000 miles or so and they're still fine. So valves is a big reason.
Some people also take the bike in for a check up, get the hoses changed, etc. A lot of stuff needs to be changed around 15,000 miles so it may be easier for some to hand it over to someone else than have to deal with hoses, fluids, valves, etc. all at once.

Ironically, the 15k service is the one I've chosen to handle myself, pretty much for the first time

But then, I always jump in at the deep end & learn to swim. Life is more fun that way.

Originally Posted by 21QUEST

...so apart from being a tight fisted wotsit, why do folks prefer/like to work on their bikes themselves. yes I know, answers seem obvious

I'll be updating my post later with pics.


Ben

Because it's cheaper, because I know then that it's been done correctly. But most of all...

because I enjoy doing it.

I'm sure that plenty of people have said that already, but couldn't be bothered to read all the replies.

Originally Posted by sv_dan

That's just totally backwards!

Why can you not afford to have it dealer serviced when they charge a hell of a lot for labour? If you spent 2 hours doing a job then you could save upto £100 per time. Surely a worthwhile saving. And if you don't know how to service the basics, do what I did....learn it. Most jobs are dead easy, trust me if I can do it...... And as for it being time consuing well the dealer will still need to service it so you still won't be able to ride your bike! Get yer hands dirty man!

my dealer charges $75/hr for 2 hours of labor I will get a bill for $150

I charge $125/hour for my services as a land use consultant, in the same 2 hours that my dealer is working on my bike I will make $250

if I do the work myself, I get my hands dirty and make no money, the dealer makes no money and has to lay off a mechanic for lack of work, the mechanic then has to collect welfare to feed his family and I have to pay more taxes, it cost me money now

I have no problem riding a bike when one is at the dealer for service, I will ride one of my other bikes

I have the knowledge and tools and workspace, but I choose not to, cause like I said in my first post, I cannot afford to not have the dealer do my work

another advantage to having the dealer do all my work is customer service, in my experience, dealers treat their better customers different, instead of assigning the low man on totem pole flunkee mechanic, theiy assign their best mechanic, they also gove your work order priority and I even enjoy a 15% discount on parts & service

what goes around, comes around