self maintainance of a GS

[jwpzx9r]

Hi
I am just back from the main BMW Mottorrad in town. They had called me, I think, about recall work that is required. The guy pointed out three things that require doing. Anyway my French is quite poor and the guy points out my bike has not been serviced by them for four years. I then tried to tell him that I maintain the machine myself... gasp of horror I will send you an estimate for the work you need done?
So my question to seasoned GSers is the maintenance of an old (2005) GS something that should be left solely to the experts or can a very old hands on type like myself do the job at home? I have been around bikes for more than 40 years and it seems to me that the GS is a fairly simple bike to maintain. Incidentally does self maintaining the machine nullify recall work being carried out? I don't see why it should the bike is well out of warranty so it is not as if a guarantee applies to anything. And am I justified in telling them I am happy to carry out my own servicing and maintenance of the bike? I think it is part of the fun of owning the bike to be honest.

 

[Tractors are go]

But were you wearing gloves ?

If you are quite happy in your level of mechanical competence, carry on as you are and use them for things you cannot do yourself.

Don't expect to be at the head of the queue for booking in though.

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

 

[PankGS]

Just another motorbike nothing special about it. Valve clearances ,oils change ,brake fluid change ,there are clear and concise links readily available or get yourself a manual ..

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Do it yourself, it's an old bike now and no it doesn't change how safety recall work is done.

 

[jwpzx9r]

I only ever wear gloves at oil changes or for anything really oily or greasy and my bike is very clean

To be honest I reckon they are looking for business if BMW is going to recall a machine surely they would send the owner a letter rather than make a phone call ? Anyway it was pointed out that there are three items on the recall list. I know there was something about the rear wheel flange but any ideas about what the other two may be I think I saw something about the fuel system. I will be getting a shock estimate shortly by email I will give you a laugh when I get it.
Re maintenance anything needing done on this bike is really straight forward and the more complex things are very well documented on here and also on youtube.

 

[Tarka]

I will be getting a shock estimate shortly by email I will give you a laugh when I get it

Why would you get an estimate for a recall job?

By it being a recall,it's at the manufacturer's expense.

 

[Smug]

You carry on doing it yourself. I agree part of the fun of owning a bike is looking after it yourself.

 

[Reggie P]

I think it is part of the fun of owning the bike to be honest.

Absolutely!

Have the recall work done and enjoy doing your own maintenance....it's your bike , your choice.

 

[Bendy toy]

Valve clearances and throttle balance ned some engineering/mechanical finesse but the single cam is about as easy as it get for those jobs. Changing the clutch is a big job but most of the work is not especially technical. Rebuilding a gearbox or final drive is so technical that BMW don't even bother. They simply swap it out for a new one.

 

[Tarka]

Rebuilding a gearbox or final drive is so technical that BMW don't even bother. They simply swap it out for a new one.

Nope.
They swap stuff out because it's the cheapest option.
It simply isn't cost effective to spend the time and money involved in opening up a gearbox or final drive,then inspecting,repairing/replacing components,setting and adjusting then refitting.
Much like in our factory when there's a gearbox or motor that only needs seals or a set of bearings.....they bin it and lob a new one in its place.

 

[UturnTony]

I do and always have maintained my own GS's and it has never impacted on any re-calls and my bikes have had a good few.

 

[Greenman14]

Nope.
They swap stuff out because it's the cheapest option.
It simply isn't cost effective to spend the time and money involved in opening up a gearbox or final drive,then inspecting,repairing/replacing components,setting and adjusting then refitting.
Much like in our factory when there's a gearbox or motor that only needs seals or a set of bearings.....they bin it and lob a new one in its place.

That's because they charge their labour at £100/hour due to massive overheads from shiny marble floored showrooms. Specialists can beat main dealer prices every time, and often provide a better service.

 

[Buckingham]

My 2012 Rallye is due for its annual service, the bike has only 4200 miles from new, 1400 miles since serviced by North Oxford Garage last November.

I'm well equipped to service it myself, but also mindful that doing so might impact the value should I choose to part ex it, especially at a BMW dealer.

Not decided which route to take yet !

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

My 2012 Rallye is due for its annual service, the bike has only 4200 miles from new, 1400 miles since serviced by North Oxford Garage last November.

I'm well equipped to service it myself, but also mindful that doing so might impact the value should I choose to part ex it, especially at a BMW dealer.

Not decided which route to take yet !

Depends when you are thinking of part ex. Next year or so maybe but after that it won't make any odds just keep a good record of the servicing and the receipts. I got a good trade in with my 09 in 2015 and that was only dealer serviced for the 2 years.

 

[Bendy toy]

Nope.
They swap stuff out because it's the cheapest option.
It simply isn't cost effective to spend the time and money involved in opening up a gearbox or final drive,then inspecting,repairing/replacing components,setting and adjusting then refitting.
Much like in our factory when there's a gearbox or motor that only needs seals or a set of bearings.....they bin it and lob a new one in its place.

Check out the equipment needed to strip and rebuild a final drive then ask if its a DIY job.

Read a Climer or Haynes for rebuilding a Hexhead gearbox and then decide if its a job the average home spannerman can handle. I will take on most things but the gearbox is likely to be replaced with a low mileage used item. Also probably less costs than all the special parts BMW have "slipped in" for slipping in's sake.

 

[Greenman14]

My 2012 Rallye is due for its annual service, the bike has only 4200 miles from new, 1400 miles since serviced by North Oxford Garage last November.

I'm well equipped to service it myself, but also mindful that doing so might impact the value should I choose to part ex it, especially at a BMW dealer.

Not decided which route to take yet !

It's 4 years old, you'll save more on the first self service than and reduction in value.

 

[jwpzx9r]

Well I got a nice estimate from BMW Mottorrad I could but won't scan and copy it. The very salient part is for a 30k kms service and fit new tyres the bill is ... € 797.23 now how much is a 2005 GS with 30Kms on it worth ? They want €156 labour just to change the brake fluid and bleed the brakes plus another €17 for a road test! I think I will decline their kind offer and do it myself. I understand why these things cost so much at a main dealer their workshop is like a operating theatre and they have people to pay as well but the price is a bit rich for me.. € 65 to fit and balance two Tourance tyres costing €97 for the front and €121 for the rear I can take to the motor cycle shop and have fitted to loose wheels.

 

[Andy63]

After buying my 2006 R1200GSA in 2011 I thought id get it serviced by the local BMW dealers a few month later. cut a long story short I came away £420 lighter thought there's no way I am getting fleeced again

Since then I have done all the servicing myself, regular oil (engine, gearbox and final drive) every 6000 miles. adjusted tappets, flushed the brake system regular brake pad change. this is all straightforward stuff. get a manual or the servicing videos its quite basic.

Have to say bleeding the ABS servo brake system is more involved, Fuel tank has to come off and you need a fluid funnel but very methodical if you follow instructions.

If my gearbox or final drive went or engine blew, I know I am not skilled in repairing, so would remove and then seek mechanic who is, or get replacements.

Fairly sure I have saved 100's of pounds over the years in labour charges, but the bigger deal is I am really familiar with the bike and confident working on it, not fazed by it. And I know what's been done.

 

[Pukmeister]

I'm well equipped to service it myself, but also mindful that doing so might impact the value should I choose to part ex it, especially at a BMW dealer.

Not decided which route to take yet !

I take it you never shagged any of your former girlfriends as you were worried about how the next guy would ride them??

 

[Tarka]

Check out the equipment needed to strip and rebuild a final drive then ask if its a DIY job.

Read a Climer or Haynes for rebuilding a Hexhead gearbox and then decide if its a job the average home spannerman can handle. I will take on most things but the gearbox is likely to be replaced with a low mileage used item. Also probably less costs than all the special parts BMW have "slipped in" for slipping in's sake.

Check out my message again then ask if I was talking about a DIY job.
Or a job the average home spannerman can handle.

You'll see that I wasn't.

I was replying to the original comment of "Rebuilding a gearbox or final drive is so technical that BMW don't even bother".
Of course it's not so technical that they can't.
It just isn't worth the cost.