Servicing - Dealer or DIY?

[bornagainbiker]

I have a 1100 that has only limited service history but runs well enough.

I am at the point of wanting to service her (oo'er mister!) and would like some advice please.

IYHO (for all that answer) what is the best way to go?

1.
Take her to a main dealer (my nearest would be Clarkes - Rednall) and pay through the nose - but have piece of mind from the perspective of having her looked over by a "reliable and professional main dealer" and have a major service carried out

or

2. go the DIY route? (service kit from Steptoe or Motor works/ Moto Bins etc)

Bike is a 97 with approx 50 k miles on the clock. I plan to keep her a good while and am not particularly worried about the stamped log book now. I would just like a reliable and fully functioning steed for everyday use and some off road fun in the future.

Final twist in the tail, is there anyone in the Leamington Spa area who would be willing to help out a relative mechanical novice go along the DIY route? and therefore help me gain a better understanding of the bike and her workings.....

Any offers most welcome.





Paul (Born Again Biker)

 

[BBB61]

Go the DIY route. They are easy to work on and it will save you a fortune. Just take your time the first time you service it.

Bob

 

[Slimie]

Bob, you've been servicing these things for a while, how about a "masterclass" for us GS virgins??!! Just so we don't do anything stoopiD!

-Simon

PS Any news form the council?

 

[BBB61]

It could be arranged Simon I believe Judge has organised them in the past too, with Steptoe doing the spannering.

As for the council, it is getting interesting. We have found documentation from the council which helps us enormously. I have a feeling our friendly borough surveyor will not be best pleased

Bob

 

[Slimie]

Good, I received sweet FA from those letters, the bar stewards. (Hijack over)

-Simon

As for the council, it is getting interesting. We have found documentation from the council which helps us enormously. I have a feeling our friendly borough surveyor will not be best pleased

 

[Larry]

Servicing masterclass? In (or near) London? Yes please! Preferably for 1150s as well.

 

[Steptoe]

Servicing masterclass? In (or near) London? Yes please! Preferably for 1150s as well.

You've missed them - done 2 so far, covering servicing oil & filter change with valve gap check and adjustment, rocker arm end play check and adjustment, and throttle balancing, brake pad change and cleaning calipers, brake & clutch fluid change, rear paralever bearing adjustment, fuel filter change and moving the filter to the outside of the tank -

I suppose there will be somemore in the future -

 

[split28]

Steptoe

How about videoing the classes and putting them on DVD?

I'd buy em if you make em.

Cheers

Martin

 

[Slimie]

I suppose there will be somemore in the future -

Steptoe,

Is there any way we could organise something? I'd hate you to feel obliged 'cos of something I'd posted here, but is it a possiblity for some future date?

PM me if you feel like it!

-Simon

 

[rugbug]

Steptoe,

another 'definitely interested'! Am London based.

Though if you do decide on the video route, how about getting some fancy thong clad beauty to help??

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Can't help with the beauty or the thong, but i'd buy the dvd...

 

[jenks]

Count me in to, so Steptoe you now have 6 of us, , so even if you charged a small fee of say £20.00 plus the cost of servicing someones bike, it should cover your coffee bill.

Andrew

 

[Steptoe]

Count me in to, so Steptoe you now have 6 of us, , so even if you charged a small fee of say £20.00 plus the cost of servicing someones bike, it should cover your coffee bill.

Andrew

I do it for nothing, the GS club organises it.

And it's not done at my workshop, but a members larger garage, on whoevers members bike needs a service at the time .

 

[MasterDabber]

I do it for nothing, the GS club organises it.

And it's not done at my workshop, but a members larger garage, on whoevers members bike needs a service at the time .

And at the risk of embarassing the old s*d... excellent they are

 

[jenks]

STEPTOE,

Well if we can get the numbers how about servicing mine in West Sussex near Pulborough, a large oak framed garage, and my wife does good coffee and biccies.

Andrew

 

[Slimie]

Well, I'm still up for it.

Assuming that you are willing to bask in the adulation of several GS'ers Steptoe, how do we set the wheels in motion. Is there anyone in particular that we'd need to talk to in GS Clubland?

I hope this isn't putting the horse before the cart, but could we have a show of "e-hands" from anyone interested?

Steptoe, could you let us know how you feel about this idea?

TIA

-Simon

 

[swebb]

Hands duly shown..

I'd be coming from Cambs, so not too early... gotta get there first!! LOL

-Stu

 

[Dusan]

me too

I'd like to learn how to do it properly! Oh err missis, hope not to late to join the master class?

 

[judgeged]

Just a thought

Hi guys
i've just been reading a request for a masterclass on servicing your bikes.When i worked as bike mechanic i printed out a literal a to z list starting at the front tyre and ending at the back tyre i copied this about 100 times and used it on every bike i serviced then when i finished it i gave the customer the copy with an advice sheet with the likes of tyre measurements exactly which oil i used to change or anything i noticed that wasnt covered under the service schedule,things like corrosion or items that needed changins soon and i received a great response from my customs they were very appreciative of the trouble i had gone to so in short write your own list start at the front of the bike and work backwards nice and slow and methodical.

"as an example"
1 front tyre any damage,what tread depth,any nail screws etc in it
2 front wheel any damage, loose spokes if it has them,is the tyre seated on the wheel properly
3 inflation valve is it loose is it leaking has it a dust cap
4 discs are they worn are they warped or cracked are they held to the wheel securely
5 brake calipers and pads are they secure or loose(dont forget that they are on floating shafts so they will not be solid on the fork stanchions).etc etc
just look at all the checks to remmember(and your still on the front wheel) so its best to have a formal list even if your experianced in servicing your own bike.Just as a byproduct of this sort of schedule youll cover most of the checks for a mot as well so no need to have it pre checked as you will have done it yourselves .......just a thought ......see what you think iif it work for you great if not ......ermmmm