HOW MUCH...for a service????! In Leeds

[philshaq]

I called my local motorbike garage at the weekend, the engine is running a little rough, nothing major, just hunting a little at idle. and as I don't have the first clue about servicing carbs and we are in the process of moving house I felt it would be easier to pay for a small service (separate thread detailing that I've changed the oil so explained that this wasn't required).


After explaining to the guy who runs the joint the slightly rough idle, he explained that with an engine of that mileage (37k) it is likely that a valve could be sticking and causing the rough idle, that people oft blame carbs, do a tune and nothing changes. So, naturally, I asked what would be involved in a service and how much it would cost...


big intake of breath...


TO service it, check valve clearances, any required shims, fluids, air filter, tune up and time... £370!!!

I politely said no thanks, hung up the phone and started chewing over my options, option 1 as I see it is live with the rough idle until we have moved, and do the service myself (a viable option as I'm having to buy a car for the school run), option 2 pay the man (not foc-ing likely), option 3 come on here, check how hard it is to do the work (carb tune, valve clearance check and the necessary replacement of anything i find wrong), option 4 ask all you find people if anyone knows of a garage in Leeds that doesn't charge the earth!!

Thanks in advance

[Chris]

If you're near anyone on here then someone might come give you a hand with it. I've never done the valve clearances but i'm sure it's just a follow the steps and be sensible and methodical about it. The haynes manual is your friend in this case 
 
Having said that, if you can live with it until you've moved house then I'd wait. If the bike needs money spent on it or takes ages to get the work done then it'll be a right pain when you don't have any extra time or funds to spare. Might as well wait till you have the time to devote to it. 
 
Goodluck, Chris

[alexanderfitu]

I have looked through the steps required for a carb balancing, and it doesnt seem too invovled. If you are handy with a spanner it should be do-able.

You will need some vacuum gauges though (or a carbtune)

[red98]

valve clearences are fairly easy to check,harder to adjust as cams out jobbie,all do-able if you have time and a few basic tools....as already said,haynes manual is your friend and of course loads of help on here

[packie]

Do it yourself and in your own time. Invest in a Haynes Manual and buy a Carbtune. Then balance the carbs first and take it from there. That may be all thats needed. At least if you can't do the valves yourself, you'll have the carbs already balanced and it won't be as expensive a service. I have my valves done at 22k because of a camchain problem and they were perfect. I'd say you would have more of a chance having a blocked pilot jet than a value gone out.

[AdieR]

Valve clearance check is probably more of a time-consuming job (hence the high price), rather than a difficult one (gaining access to the valves).

As for the garage's "diagnosis" that "it could be a valve" - well, yes it could, but I'd start with the simple things first, ie air filter, some new spark plugs if not already done (if they're tired, a new set can make a world of difference), and a carb balance. If the bike has been stood for a bit over winter, fresh fuel might not hurt either.

It's a bit out-the-road from Leeds, but I know a of a workshop in Scarborough who do a good job for sensible money if you want details; maybe a good excuse for a spin!

[Deefer666]

£370????

Fuck my workshop is in the wrong county!

[philshaq]

Hi guys, sorry about the late response!

I've had a look into carbtunes and what needs doing and I think I'll do a bit of spring cleaning once we have moved and sort out the carbs, plugs, filters, cam chain tensioner, exhaust repaint and new gaskets and r6 caliper on the back.

Should make it a bit nicer to ride in the summer.

OH and braided hoses, winter and storing the bike outside has taken its toll...

Thanks as always for your input.

Deefer, where's your shop?

[richfzs]

Phil, he's a bit far from you 

http://www.motorcycle-republic.com/

[noggythenog]

Hey phil, why stop there....surely you need some lovely new coloured Rad hoses to compliment all that good work


We still need a few buyers for our Rad Hose group buy.


Marketing blurb over.

[philshaq]

ooo, good sell, tell me more about the group buy!


I'm not sure I could fit much more than the work I have lined up in a weekend (I'll have to fit in seeing the wife and kids at some point as well I'd suspect!)

[noggythenog]

Take a look Phil
 
http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,6189.125.html
 
you could purchase with the money you'll save doing your own service.
 
staying on topic, this post has encouraged me to do my own service this year, good to know yous guys are on hand to assist when needed & the basic stuff does seem rather possible..slowly & methodically will be my approach & for all the cost i'm gonna buy one of those oil filter remover chains & the old oil containers which from Halfords are only about a fiver,already recieved my k&n in the post so ill only need to do the air filter once,plugs are still good so that can be for next year & carb syncing i'll see about if i manage the service without any major dramas.all good

[Chris]

ooo, good sell, tell me more about the group buy!


I'm not sure I could fit much more than the work I have lined up in a weekend (I'll have to fit in seeing the wife and kids at some point as well I'd suspect!)

The coolant pipes could be changed the next weekend 

[darrsi]

@noggythenog, rather than ponce about with a chain wrench in the future, why not just get one of these........


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K-N-Filters-Performance-Oil-Filter-Yamaha-2000-FZS600-Fazer-KN-147-/400406444036?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item5d3a157804

[noggythenog]

Cherrs darrsi, i did see your views on the k&n on another post,actually it was that post that mainly got me thinking about doing my own service stuff & this one about other stuff like carb syncing ( whole lot o stuff goin on here),


Total forgot that the k&n had a spanner capability


'Add to cart'

[Chris]

Ye, got myslf one of those K&N oil filters too, very handy with the nut on it. 

[darrsi]

Cherrs darrsi, i did see your views on the k&n on another post,actually it was that post that mainly got me thinking about doing my own service stuff & this one about other stuff like carb syncing ( whole lot o stuff goin on here),


Total forgot that the k&n had a spanner capability


'Add to cart' 

A general service, as in in oil, coolant, filter's, plugs, etc, is very simple on Fazer's once you've got the first one out of the way.
Especially as everything is very accessible.
Cleaning the calipers is probably the most necessary fiddly job, but once you've done that a few times even that becomes relatively easy to do, and then at least you know what's actually been done!
Always write down what work you've done as well, plus the mileage, for future reference.

[noggythenog]

Cheers for the info


Im full of questions so i think at some point i'll start off a new post about diy fzs 600,like different levels,basic stuff through to the more complicated,what needs doing every year,2nd,3rd year etc but the more accessible parts rather than the full stripping the bike down jobs.& what jobs are less rewarding & best left to a garage.