self-service

[dern]

I have a 2 year old y2k fireblade and I'm thinking of starting to service it myself. I'm mechanically competant enough but would be interested to hear what experience others have had servicing their own newish bikes and how it affects resale value and the speed of selling a bike. I'm not planning on selling it any time soon and I've already been told it's worth b*gger all because of the mileage (12,000 - see "high mileage my *rse" thread).

Given that a 12,000 mile service is just oil, filter and plugs and they want 150 quid for it I'm tempted to do it myself. One of the things holding me back is the lack of a maintenance manual for this bike to get data for service schedules/valve clearance data and stuff like that.

Any other comments?

Cheers,

Mark

[bikerkeith]

Not sure how far a Honda service record lasts, both Suzukis I've owned had service books that run out at 15000 miles. If the Honda is the same then there shouldn't be an issue if anybody wants to see a service history. When it comes to selling a bike, its overall condition, state of tyres, chain, lack of crash damage etc count for value more than anything else, provided you can show (receipts for materials etc) that its had regular maintenance. Blades go on for ever as long as they have regular oil changes.
Do Haynes do a manual for your model of Blade? If so get hold of one which will give you all you need to know about routine servicing (subject to the usual problems of interpreting "simple" tasks). If you do plug gaps and valve clearances then you'll also have to balance carbs, for which you'll obviously need a carb balancer. I've got a Carbtune which is a lovely bit of kit and dead easy to use.
Good luck and at least you'll have the knowledge that the job has been done properly, and not bodged by some grease monkey wanting to go home on a Friday afternoon.

[dern]

Do Haynes do a manual for your model of Blade?

Sadly not as the only haynes manual there is for blades goes up to 1999 and mine is a 2000.

If so get hold of one which will give you all you need to know about routine servicing (subject to the usual problems of interpreting "simple" tasks). If you do plug gaps and valve clearances then you'll also have to balance carbs, for which you'll obviously need a carb balancer. I've got a Carbtune which is a lovely bit of kit and dead easy to use.

Happily the benefit of the y2k bike is that it's fuel-injected. The only thing I can think of that would require data to do it is the valve clearance procedure.

Cheers,

Mark

[bikerkeith]

Doh! Should have remembered its injected, had a test ride on a 2000 model. Just be grateful you haven't got a V-TEC VFR, read recently that typical workshop costs are around £500 for doing valve check at 15,000 miles.
May be worth asking Haynes if they are bringing out a manual for your model, they usually say what editions are in preparation.

[s2ooz]

Any other comments?

Cheers,

Mark

I service bikes, I would just like to add, remember to check all the little things that you see in the service manual. ie. chain check, lights, bearings, fuel pipes, brake pads/discs.

ask the garage if they will "service it" but leave out oil, chain plugs etc. it may work out loads cheaper, and you still get the stamp in the book.

also be aware many dealers have workshop updates to bikes, that you know nothing about. They just get raised on the computer next time its in for a service.
ie my triumph had a complete wiring loom replacement done for nowt, as it was down as a note from HQ to do, "next time its in", apparantly the old loom had a tendancy to melt, killing the bike dead.

there not considered recalls, as they arent dangerous, but you just dont get to hear about them.

if you ask at the dealer specifically, you might be able to get a list of extras your bike is due for.

[dern]

Just be grateful you haven't got a V-TEC VFR, read recently that typical workshop costs are around £500 for doing valve check at 15,000 miles.

Erk!

May be worth asking Haynes if they are bringing out a manual for your model, they usually say what editions are in preparation.

I'll drop them a line.

I have heard there's a pdf version of the workshop manual kicking about the net somewhere - I'll have a look for it tonight. You can buy it on ebay for a tenner on cd although obviously that's not an authorised edition I expect.

Cheers,

Mark

[dern]

I service bikes, I would just like to add, remember to check all the little things that you see in the service manual. ie. chain check, lights, bearings, fuel pipes, brake pads/discs.

I do that all the time anyway. I've pretty much only been taking it in to the dealer to get the stamp to keep the warranty valid but that's up in a month.

also be aware many dealers have workshop updates to bikes, that you know nothing about. They just get raised on the computer next time its in for a service.
ie my triumph had a complete wiring loom replacement done for nowt, as it was down as a note from HQ to do, "next time its in", apparantly the old loom had a tendancy to melt, killing the bike dead.

there not considered recalls, as they arent dangerous, but you just dont get to hear about them.

if you ask at the dealer specifically, you might be able to get a list of extras your bike is due for.

Good point, if I decide to service it myself I'll keep a note to call them every 6 months or so.

Cheers,

Mark

[s2ooz]

I do that all the time anyway. I've pretty much only been taking it in to the dealer to get the stamp to keep the warranty valid but that's up in a month.

the stamp helps a little on re-sale too. I know yours was valued low, but thats norm for a dealer, privately the stamps will help show you look after it, and although may not get you more money, it make the difference between a sale and no sale.

[Kwacker]

I got thrust into serviceing at the deep end.

I bought a ZX6R, got it quite cheap, Two months later the engine let go big style. I wasn't conned ( i know the guy I bought it from) just bad luck.

I asked the local shop how much to replace an engine. The answer was the nearer side of £1000. So I decided to do it myself. I wasn't very mechanically minded, but I don't have more than two thumbs and I did have a haynes manual.

A few phone calls found an engine for £350, New oil, plugs, filter, gaskets etc, Approx £100.

8000 miles later its still going strong.

I'm happy, and I do all my services myself now.

I only wish I was brave enough to do the TVR myself!

[dern]

I'm happy, and I do all my services myself now.

I only wish I was brave enough to do the TVR myself!

Good work. I had the same dilema with my s3 when the gearbox went... I invested in an engine hoist and sorted it all out myself for 500 quid (well, got someone else to recondition the gearbox) whereas the garage quote was for well over a thousand. At the end of the day it's all stuff just bolted together but on a different scale imo.

Cheers,

Mark

[dern]

Thanks for all the advice, I found a workshop manual for sale on ebay and will order the parts tonight.

I was a bit shocked to find plugs for the blade are around a tenner each but not as shocked as I was when I found the service would actually cost about 200 quid incl vat for oil (30 quid's worth), filter (6 quid) and plugs (40 quid)... bargain.

Any recommendations on oil for the blade by the way. I'm assuming any bike-oriented fully synth will do the job although I'm sure people have brand loyalties. It tends to stay in the bike for 4000 miles (3-6 months).

Cheers,

Mark

[s2ooz]

is yours the CBR900RR-Y injected 2000 model?
just thought Id tell you to look around for the plugs, should get cheaper than that. Im trying to get trade supply status for NGK, but will be to late for you.
you need NGK Iridium CR9EHI-9. gap is 0.9.

[dern]

s2ooz said: is yours the CBR900RR-Y injected 2000 model?
just thought Id tell you to look around for the plugs, should get cheaper than that. Im trying to get trade supply status for NGK, but will be to late for you.
you need NGK Iridium CR9EHI-9. gap is 0.9.

Cheers for the information, it is the 2000 model.

I've just looked through your posts and see that you're setting up an on-line store for spark plugs and such. Good luck with that and let us know when you get going and I'll get my order in for the next service.

Long shot: you're not the stu who has connections with the honda (car) dealership in salisbury are you by any chance?

Mark

[s2ooz]

I've just looked through your posts and see that you're setting up an on-line store for spark plugs and such. Good luck with that and let us know when you get going and I'll get my order in for the next service.

Long shot: you're not the stu who has connections with the honda (car) dealership in salisbury are you by any chance?

Mark

no, not me. I have signed up a few suppliers now, and slowly trying to agree delivery costs with local couriers. I will be advertising on PH when Im happy we can provide a decent service from the off.