Servicing - Dealer or Myself

[Delboy777]

Im going to do my own servicing and im just gathering all the bits n bobs that will be required ie crush washers and filters etc. Ive bought them in bulk so the post is easier to swallow. Motorworks are very reasonable and post is fast.

 

[haditlowered]

Didn't know where to post this - so i will rely on the more knowledgeable to repost where it belongs, but i use this site for all sorts of GS related stuff, getting part numbers, looking at drawings etc, last week i found a black plastic cover on the floor under my GS after i cleaned it - i went to this site, popped in the part number stamped in the plastic cover and found the schematic drawing of where it needed to go. Go to the site - select your bike / year - it's better than a workshop manual!!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

share the link

 

[haditlowered]

posted below - i get part numbers for EVERYTHING from here - then google search the part number.

Didn't know where to post this - so i will rely on the more knowledgeable to repost where it belongs, but i use this site for all sorts of GS related stuff, getting part numbers, looking at drawings etc, last week i found a black plastic cover on the floor under my GS after i cleaned it - i went to this site, popped in the part number and found the schematic drawing of where it needed to go. Go to the site - select your bike / year - it's better than a paper manual!!

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

 

[kyrano]

Great, thanks for the link here, I have a Haynes manual just in case, I have ordered all the oils I need inc genuine oil filter and it all comes to around £60-70 that's a genuine oil filter, Castrol engine oil, Castrol gearbox/diff oil, I have dot 4 brake fluid and a GS-911 handy

 

[Beemerman59]

Great, thanks for the link here, I have a Haynes manual just in case, I have ordered all the oils I need inc genuine oil filter and it all comes to around £60-70 that's a genuine oil filter, Castrol engine oil, Castrol gearbox/diff oil, I have dot 4 brake fluid and a GS-911 handy

Just some other options whilst I think of them having just done a 36K service myself. To change the plugs you have to remove the stick coils. You can do this by levering with a screwdriver. I did it that way and managed to chip off part of the coil. So I bought the right tool from Motorworks. However, it was plastic and I just couldn't pull hard enough on it without the tool letting go. So, bought a metal puller which is the right one to get! I assume you have a filter tool to get the oil filter off?

Do you have a balancer for the throttle bodies? I have a Harmoniser tool for this on my Boxer but also have the option of a Carbtune. Both work fine.

If you haven't done so already, get the service sheets for the bike, complete them as you do them and keep with receipts etc. I also run off a copy of the "Autoscan" results on the GS911 to keep with my records. I also add other stuff onto my records such as the disk and pad thicknesses. I also note on the same sheets when I fit anything new such as tyres, pressure sensors (with serial numbers) etc. You never know when that info is useful.

The original specified service interval for the alternator belt was 36K miles - this was changed later on by BMW to every 24K miles. Up to you if you want to follow that but the service sheets I have still state 36K. Same with FD oil quantities - was originally 220ml and it's now 180ml recommended.

Hope that helps.

 

[kyrano]

I have a balancer and coil removal toolI have seen two types of service sheets, would you have a link for the ones I would need to print off

 

[Bendy toy]

I use a small podger bar (12") to remove the coils. Its about 10mm diameter. One end is angled and flattened like a screwdriver. The other end is pointed. The flat end is perfect for putting under the coil behind the terminal block and gently levering the coil out.

The secondary plugs are a bigger issue. Out in the weather they can seize into the head so use a very good socket set plug spanner and DO NOT allow it to tilt while turning. A snapped off spark plug is all too easy.

 

[Beemerman59]

I have a balancer and coil removal toolI have seen two types of service sheets, would you have a link for the ones I would need to print off

I use the ones from here:

http://www.r1200gs.info/

There may be some more recent ones but these are good enough for my needs.

 

[kyrano]

Ah yes, I have seen these ones too, thanks for the link tho

 

[phooey]

If you are really competent and have all the tools then crack on, especially f you plan keeping it.
But if not, a compromise would be a good independent.
I reckon I could service myself, I have the Haines and it seems pretty easy really....however I would need to spend probably another £200 on the right tools, then it would take me probably 5 times longer than the good independent as I tend to really take my time with everything to make sure I don't feck it up.
So for me, I took the compromise. Was really impressed with his work, had all the printouts from the Computer software, and a loyalty card entitling me to my 5th service free. (Stamp every £50 you spend with him, just pay for parts) and a LOT less than dealer price.

Who do you use ?