Servicing schedule, what should be done.

[Arfa]

So, I've had my 2003 FZS600 for almost a year now and it's due it's annual service. It's currently on 19k. Last service was 1 year ago at 13k. Not being the most mechanically minded chap, not having a garage, tools or time, I'm planning to take it to local garage who seem pretty reasonable.


They've informed me it's due for major service, filters, oil, plugs, balance carbs etc (£230) and maybe do valve clearances (£50).


Last owner had it left standing for some time, so had given it a pretty big service last year. Can't find record or exactly what, but I'm sure he said carbs were balanced and a new battery definitely went on. The manual reckons valves don't need checking until ~30k (40000 km).


Bike does seem to be running fine. Sometimes spot slow starting from cold, needs turning over for few seconds whilst revs build up.


So, does it require a major service or will a minor service suffice? Am I right to skip valves clearances? Price for service sound about right?

[Fazerider]

I'd skip the valve clearances. They're not due and, even at the scheduled 28,000 miles, they will be unlikely to need adjustment.
You can probably save money by providing your own oil, filters etc. for them to fit rather than paying the garage's mark-up.

[Dead Eye]

You don't have to be mechanically minded to sort the basics. Oil change and air filter change are very straight forward - oil filter can be a bit of a pain if its stuck on though. Plugs are equally easy if the bike has been looked after (mine are semi-rusted but its got nearly 88k on the clock)

Is your bike your only form of transport? Do you have any mechanically minded friends of helpful foccers nearby? Might be worth offering beer tokens for them to help you out so you can see how to do it all next time and save yourself a ton of money Oil + filters is maybe £30 (possibly £40 if you change up to a K&N air filter), plugs are about £20-25 for a set

Carb Balance could be an option but its up to you, if (once its warm) its running fine then I personally wouldn't bother and valve clearances aren't an issue at 19k as previously mentioned by Fazerider

[red98]

hi arfa....i see your from london,why hav`nt you been on one of the excellent lofo ride outs yet !!!!!!.....lots of helpful foccers in the group that will be more than happy to help you out on your first service.....look on the members map to see whos nearby and send a pm .....worse they can do is say no ......

[Arfa]

Keep meaning to sign up for one of the basic bike maintenance courses at OMC. Just not go round to it. I'm not totally clueless, did fit the Givi rack myself no problems and I've done stuff on the car like fitting parking sensors, stereo, leather seats, spoiler etc. The bigger issue is more time.

Yes, must get on some ride outs. Weekends are often tricky for me, due to family etc. My wife also takes disdain to me fecking off at the weekend, leaving her with kids, especially as she passed her bike test about 15 years before me and doesn't currently have her own bike... Bit of a sore point.

[Dead Eye]

Ah didn't realise he was a Londoner ^^

Based on my previous message, I'm happy to help out if you want. I have a Carbtune as well so balancing the carbs wouldn't be an issue if its something you wanted to do. I'm in Chelmsford though, so it could be a bit far since London is a pretty big place by itself

Could bribe your misses in to letting you out to get the bike fixed up on a weekend day as the money you save you could take her out to dinner somewhere and still be in pocket

[red98]

Ah didn't realise he was a Londoner ^^

Based on my previous message, I'm happy to help out if you want. I have a Carbtune as well so balancing the carbs wouldn't be an issue if its something you wanted to do. I'm in Chelmsford though, so it could be a bit far since London is a pretty big place by itself

Could bribe your misses in to letting you out to get the bike fixed up on a weekend day as the money you save you could take her out to dinner somewhere and still be in pocket

i like the way you think DEADEYE  :lol ...we could bring EXUPNUT round to sweet talk your wife while us sensible ones give you bike a damn good service  :lol

[Arfa]

i like the way you think DEADEYE  :lol ...we could bring EXUPNUT round to sweet talk your wife while us sensible ones give you bike a damn good service  :lol

Just make sure you get that the right way round, don't want EXUPNET to give the bike a sweet talking to and you sensible lot to give my wife a damn good service!

:eek

Anyways, bike is booked in at garage anyway for Tuesday, running short on time for MOT. Doh! Currently thinking, skip valves and carb balancing.

[unfazed]

So, I've had my 2003 FZS600 for almost a year now and it's due it's annual service. It's currently on 19k. Last service was 1 year ago at 13k. Not being the most mechanically minded chap, not having a garage, tools or time, I'm planning to take it to local garage who seem pretty reasonable.

They've informed me it's due for major service, filters, oil, plugs, balance carbs etc (£230) and maybe do valve clearances (£50).

Last owner had it left standing for some time, so had given it a pretty big service last year. Can't find record or exactly what, but I'm sure he said carbs were balanced and a new battery definitely went on. The manual reckons valves don't need checking until ~30k (40000 km).

Bike does seem to be running fine. Sometimes spot slow starting from cold, needs turning over for few seconds whilst revs build up.

So, does it require a major service or will a minor service suffice? Am I right to skip valves clearances? Price for service sound about right?

Slow strating could be down to water in the carbs, which is easily fixed by draining them before starting in the morning. A common problem which can be intermittant especially since it is parked outside.
Major service is at 28000 miles and includes Valve Clearance check. I would recommend you check them at the recommended mileage and any advice to the contrary should be ignored. :wall  I have seen to many unneccessary engine problems because valves were assumed to be ok. I am working on  a Fazer 1000 in at present with 24000 miles on it and 7 of the 20 shims had to be changed, my own 1000 was fine at 24000  and my 600 needed 3 shims changed on its second check at 56000 miles.
You bike would be due a fairly major service, but not a valve check,. Change Oil and Oil Filter,  check the balance of carburettors and check TPS setting. Also check the air filter, and brake pads, . You should really change the Coolant and Brake Fluid also because of the age .
The offer from dead eye should be taken up as it would only take a few hours and as he said save you enough to take the boss out.  :lol

[Arfa]

Yay! MOT passed yesterday, no problems. They sorted the service out too, ended up doing everything bar valve clearances. I had a load of Castral Power1 oil handy, so they used that to save a few quid. Paid cash, so came to £200 for everything (mot, labour, filters, plugs etc) . I know you chaps could have saved me a packet, next time OK! MOT was due and was handy dumping bike off round corner from work on commute in, then picking on way home.

Did say, rear brake pads have about 2k miles left on them. Easy job?

[Dead Eye]

Depends on their condition - if its just a pad swap then its a 10 minute job

If its pistons, seals, pads - a good clean in otherwords - then it will take longer but its not particularly hard to do. Just need to have some patience. I found the replacing the seals not to difficult but I've heard otherwise going blue in the face trying to get them in