Maintenance: How do you do yours?

[murf]

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Thanks; I guess that makes sense since the OEM dudes want more $$$ so you go do more services and get parts?

Or do the engineers actually know what they're talking about? =(

Why can't things ever be easy

No, how could the guys that designed it, and tested it with those maintenance intervals know anything about it?!?!

 

[油井緋色]

No, how could the guys that designed it, and tested it with those maintenance intervals know anything about it?!?!

That's exactly why I'm confused. I assumed that the maintenance intervals were written by engineers and the guys who designed the bike. But now we got mechanics and ppl on these forums saying they know what they're talking about.

I don't have enough experience to judge, and I'm not really taking a side cause...I get to save $$$ one way, but the other way gives me a peace of mind. Both are equally important so =(

 

[FriendlyFoe]

The point fastar was making was about very specific things in the service schedule, but you havent bothered to take the time to learn the basics that would allow you to know what is or isn't that important. Some of it should be obvious tho, if you're at your second valve inspection interval and havent had them checked yet, thats important. In most service manuals it also says to replace every rubber hose on the bike after 4 years, this is one that you could let slide.

I will say most of whats in the service schedule should be done if you want a bike to last. Things like lubing throttle/clutch cables is fairly easy to do and requires a 5 dollar tool, no reason not to be doing things like that yourself.

 

[Outlaws Justice]

Most items are checks, and it can be inportant until you know your bike better to ake sure to hit those important things. We have a member on the FZ1OA forums with a 2001 She bought new, she has had the valves checked three times, and only once was even a minor adjustment needed. The Bike currently has OVER 200,000 Miles.

As for me, I do a lot of my own work including oil changes. If it something I do not have the tools for I take it to someone I trust. (or just take the parts in question like I drop off the forks when they need fresh oil. or drop of the wheels for new tires.

 

[fastar1]

That's exactly why I'm confused. I assumed that the maintenance intervals were written by engineers and the guys who designed the bike. But now we got mechanics and ppl on these forums saying they know what they're talking about.

I don't have enough experience to judge, and I'm not really taking a side cause...I get to save $$$ one way, but the other way gives me a peace of mind. Both are equally important so =(

The engineers are missing some key info that you or your mechanic have; the operating environment in which you use your bike. This has a significant impact on the service life of various components. As a result they assume the worst and designate a maintenance schedule based on that (that makes the lawyers happy).

Here's a little life lesson for you; when to, and not to, break the rules.

Rules are there to protect things/people from damage. The damage isn't a result of people being willfully harmful to each other but from sheer ignorance. It's a complex world and we are all very ignorant on a great variety of subjects so having rules helps us avoid trouble. However the nature of rules/laws is that they need to be relatively simple and easy to follow in order to be effective. But simple rules can't fully account for every variety of circumstances that we encounter in real life, they are always crude and sometimes outright inappropriate for some circumstances. They can never be as efficient as someone who acts based on their UNDERSTANDING of the risks, penalties, and dangers of the situation. Do you expect a chef to follow a recipe to the exact detail? Or a pedestrian to wait for the walk signal at an open, empty intersection at 3AM? Well a good mechanic isn't going to observe a vehicle's exact service schedule either.

On those subjects that I am highly ignorant, I'm happy to follow the rules as much as possible. If I want to break the rules I make sure I understand the reason for the rules being there, the dangers, the penalties, and I make sure I am willing accept personal responsibility for any harm that might result from my decision to override the rules.

When it comes to bike maintenance, if you are mechanically ignorant then follow the maintenance schedule exactly. Your mechanic can do better than that though, so the question is simply whether you trust your mechanic. If not, tell him to do exactly as indicated in the owner's manual and while he'll probably be offended, he won't mind you wasting your money at his shop.

 

[fastar1]

That's exactly why I'm confused. I assumed that the maintenance intervals were written by engineers and the guys who designed the bike. But now we got mechanics and ppl on these forums saying they know what they're talking about.

I don't have enough experience to judge, and I'm not really taking a side cause...I get to save $$$ one way, but the other way gives me a peace of mind. Both are equally important so =(

The engineers are missing some key info that you or your mechanic have; the operating environment in which you use your bike. This has a significant impact on the service life of various components. As a result they assume the worst and designate a maintenance schedule based on that (that makes the lawyers happy).

Here's a little life lesson for you; when to, and not to, break the rules.

Rules are there to protect things/people from damage. The damage isn't a result of people being willfully harmful to each other but from sheer ignorance. It's a complex world and we are all very ignorant on a great variety of subjects so having rules helps us avoid trouble. However the nature of rules/laws is that they need to be relatively simple and easy to follow in order to be effective. But simple rules can't fully account for every variety of circumstances that we encounter in real life, they are always crude and sometimes outright inappropriate for some circumstances. They can never be as efficient as someone who acts based on their UNDERSTANDING of the risks, penalties, and dangers of the situation. Do you expect a chef to follow a recipe to the exact detail? Or a pedestrian to wait for the walk signal at an open, empty intersection at 3AM? Well a good mechanic isn't going to observe a vehicle's exact service schedule either.

On those subjects that I am highly ignorant, I'm happy to follow the rules as much as possible. If I want to break the rules I make sure I understand the reason for the rules being there, the dangers, the penalties, and I make sure I am willing accept personal responsibility for any harm that might result from my decision to override the rules.

When it comes to bike maintenance, if you are mechanically ignorant then follow the maintenance schedule exactly. Your mechanic can do better than that though, so the question is simply whether you trust your mechanic. If not, tell him to do exactly as indicated in the owner's manual and while he'll probably be offended, he won't mind you wasting your money at his shop.

 

[OpenGambit]

the "lawyers" don't care. they are specifically instructed to draft in a manner that provides the maximum liability protection for the Corporation.

 

[murf]

I have yet to see lawyers when releasing maintenance manuals in auto, heavy truck, large electric motor, and aerospace industries.

 

[OpenGambit]

I have yet to see lawyers when releasing maintenance manuals in auto, heavy truck, large electric motor, and aerospace industries.

Our input is not in the manual, its in the warranty. We don't care about the manual.

 

[fastar1]

Sue me.

 

[Fiery254]

I bought a 1983 XR200 a couple of years back. It'd never run before so this year I decided to get it running. Got it running and have just stripped the motor down so it can be rebored. I'm gonna drop the pot and piston off this morning. It's a single cylinder engine with a single carb so the experience is limited but it's teaching me stuff I thought I knew above and beyond bolting new stuff on and the basic stuff I've done previously. Great learning experience I have to say.

 

[油井緋色]

I bought a 1983 XR200 a couple of years back. It'd never run before so this year I decided to get it running. Got it running and have just stripped the motor down so it can be rebored. I'm gonna drop the pot and piston off this morning. It's a single cylinder engine with a single carb so the experience is limited but it's teaching me stuff I thought I knew above and beyond bolting new stuff on and the basic stuff I've done previously. Great learning experience I have to say.

So when (and if), I have more free time I should buy a really beaten broken bike and try to fix it? lol

 

[meme]

seriously dude it can't hurt. if you are not comfortable tighning bolts then you will be once you get into a restoration.

Otherwiswe here - http://www.ridertraining.ca/courses_maintenance.html You bring your bike and we show ya how to maintain it.

 

[kiley]

Years ago in the town I grew up in we had a garage out in the country.
I think it was called Poor Boys Garage.
Anyway....this garage had all the tools you could ever need.
This idea was that on a Saturday or Sunday you show up with whatever parts you needed for the job.
Gaskets, o rings, oil, spark plugs ...that kinda thing.
Whatever you wanted fixing and it needed parts you brought them with you.
The Garage supplied the tools and the mechanics but here's the thing.
The mechanics never ever touch a tool.
They were there to guide you and stop you if needed from doing anything wrong.
They supplied the knowledge and you supplied the mussel.
When the job was complete there was a very small fee...sorry not sure what it was.
Now like I said this was many years ago but I cant believe that there isn't anything like this around in today's world.

 

[cbcanada]

Currently riding a 2006 GS500F. Approaching 22,000 on mileage.

And yeah I'm definitely not comfortable taking off the fairings. I guess I will go make a note on all the bolts later.

I have most (if not all) of the required tools already and then some; just not sure what to do with them lol

hey buddy, i have the gs500, so far this summer i rejetted my carbs, cleaned them, changed my rear shock, sprockest, tire, ignition advancer

the best advice i can give you us "just do it" dont be afraid. can some one to help out first few times... that helps... where are you located?

 

[Sabex]

hey buddy, i have the gs500, so far this summer i rejetted my carbs, cleaned them, changed my rear shock, sprockest, tire, ignition advancer

the best advice i can give you us "just do it" dont be afraid. can some one to help out first few times... that helps... where are you located?

Did you change the teeth on the sprockets? If so what to?

Also: I took my fairings off for the first time yesterday (at about 4am). It wasn't that bad, you just need to make sure you organize everything. Like label the holes, label the bolts, label every single bit (string helps, so you dont mark anything. just write on a piece of paper (numbers work, so do letters, or any other specific code you want) and tie the string through any holes, around any pieces, etc. and to said marked paper. for example: you'd label every hole A that fits every screw A, etc) That way you know exactly how to put it back together.
Also it would help to keep a journal/note of everything you do, and in what order. so when you go to do it again, you know how to (or if you forget how to put it back together, usually just reverse the order)

I'm not sure if it's been posted, but gstwin.com is a really REALLY useful site for gs500's. You don't even need to register (unless you want to ask questions. but most things have been asked/done so the search function will most likely be your main friend). Personally, I haven't registered on the site, but always visit it and search/browse (because every question I've had has been answered already)

As cbcanada said, ''just do it''. If you have the time, tools and patience. It really isn't hard, and if you mess up-- well, that's what friends are for! (payments of booze seems to motivate people pretty quick!)

 

[油井緋色]

hey buddy, i have the gs500, so far this summer i rejetted my carbs, cleaned them, changed my rear shock, sprockest, tire, ignition advancer

the best advice i can give you us "just do it" dont be afraid. can some one to help out first few times... that helps... where are you located?

9th and 407. Need to get my chain, sprockets, and tire changed soon...I think. Definitely need a new air filter soon tho lol

So I was tightening my chain today and changed one of the bent axle screw covers (whatever you call them). Problem now is I think my alignment is off and those stupid markers are not completely accurate (I think). I'm slightly tilting, perhaps 1-2 degrees, to the right in order to keep straight. Which axle nut do I tighten? I would assume it is the left axle (face facing rear of bike, left side does not have exhaust) but would like to make sure so I don't do anything else stupid.

 

[cbcanada]

Did you change the teeth on the sprockets? If so what to?

Also: I took my fairings off for the first time yesterday (at about 4am). It wasn't that bad, you just need to make sure you organize everything. Like label the holes, label the bolts, label every single bit (string helps, so you dont mark anything. just write on a piece of paper (numbers work, so do letters, or any other specific code you want) and tie the string through any holes, around any pieces, etc. and to said marked paper. for example: you'd label every hole A that fits every screw A, etc) That way you know exactly how to put it back together.
Also it would help to keep a journal/note of everything you do, and in what order. so when you go to do it again, you know how to (or if you forget how to put it back together, usually just reverse the order)

I'm not sure if it's been posted, but gstwin.com is a really REALLY useful site for gs500's. You don't even need to register (unless you want to ask questions. but most things have been asked/done so the search function will most likely be your main friend). Personally, I haven't registered on the site, but always visit it and search/browse (because every question I've had has been answered already)

As cbcanada said, ''just do it''. If you have the time, tools and patience. It really isn't hard, and if you mess up-- well, that's what friends are for! (payments of booze seems to motivate people pretty quick!)

changed to 15 teeth

 

[cbcanada]

9th and 407. Need to get my chain, sprockets, and tire changed soon...I think. Definitely need a new air filter soon tho lol

So I was tightening my chain today and changed one of the bent axle screw covers (whatever you call them). Problem now is I think my alignment is off and those stupid markers are not completely accurate (I think). I'm slightly tilting, perhaps 1-2 degrees, to the right in order to keep straight. Which axle nut do I tighten? I would assume it is the left axle (face facing rear of bike, left side does not have exhaust) but would like to make sure so I don't do anything else stupid.

the lines are accurate.. just make sure when u are tightening it doesnt move.
if you can get to the eastbend i can help you

 

[Sabex]

changed to 15 teeth

Nice, how is it? I was goingto do 15/42 but the place I bought from didn't get the 42, so i went 16/45 (+6 in the rear)
I'm thinking about getting a 17 (or 18) front, just so ican switch it out every so often (mostly long trips. I lost about 1-150km/tank at highway speeds. doing 120 at about 8krpm, for a few hours straight it vibrates a decent bit. Reason I'm thinking a bigger front is because it'd bring it back to near stock, and its easier to change the front sprocket than the back (dont gotta remove the rear wheel-just move it forwards or backwards.)
Plus I've had that side's casing off so many times (diagnosing clutch problems) that I can remove it and put it back on blindfolded, in a minute!

As for the OP, I can't help with putting on new tires (i got mechanic to do that for me) but the air filter, you just gotta remove the tank to replace. sprockets and chain are pretty easy to do also. I might be able to help when you're replacing, if I'm not busy.

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