Ok I got a free pdf manual off the net and checked it out and realized I could do this - easily. I don't have a 3 year extended warranty to invalidate and the 1 year runs out in November when I winterize it. The warranty is one summer in Wisconsin - 7 months. Trickiest bit is checking the forks. This is what I did: Got the bike on my ABBA center stand which has the back wheel 2 inches up and the front grounded. Put a piece of carpet on the pillion then 2 john deere tractor weights about 40 lbs each., Then the front wheel can be lifted with one hand - say 30 lb weight. Then I put a padded car jack under the engine near the oil drain and jacked the front wheel up. I would not dream off doing that if the front weighed more than 30lbs or so at this point. Then I swung the steering from lock to lock and checked it was smooth and free and not stiff and not loose. Then I pulled the front wheel forward and back and there was zero play in the steering stem bearings and no clunking. Done !
Now I looked at the brake fluid - the front was down about half an inch from the pads wearing in. Got DOT 4 fluid from Wally for $3 and topped it to the line. Put the fluid in the basement where it will be dry and not frozen in winter. Brake fluid absorbs water so must be kept dry.
I checked the clutch cable free play at the hand lever - one tenth inch of free play gap - couple of turns on the adjuster set that.
Checked all the bolts I could see with a torque wrench (manual has torques). Now all I have to do is changed the oil/filter again -remembering to refill the oil three quarters BEFORE I change the filter in order to prevent an air lock. Using a new aluminum crush washer under the drain bolt of course. Check radiator water (a glance). Check for leaks anywhere - none.
Now all I have to do is those really hard things that only a dealer can do - like seeing if the brake lights /indicators come on and checking the tire pressures and the chain (600 miles - come on). oh and washing it... jeez
I'm so glad I did this - I now know my bike and how to do these checks every month if I want. I know it hasn't been started with an air lock or scratched or lifted inappropriately. People say they take their bikes to the dealer for peace of mind - I did mine myself - for peace of mind !
It says the steering stem needs greasing every 2 years - I will go 3 and then let the dealer grease it - I know my limitations and they stop when the special tools come out.
ok question - I found this so easy because I had a center stand. If I hadn't (like most owners), how would I get the front wheel up and swinging free ? jack it on the exhaust pipes ? arrrghh no way
How ?.. I mean how ? How do the dealers do it ? and HOW do the dealers charge $300 and 2 hours work for a few piddly little checks that anyone could do ?
ps the oil filter job is made a lot easier (made possible - I was struggling) by using the Toyota Camry 3.5 V6 special tool------a "TOY 640" Google it - get one - few dollars - heavy alloy. The filter has to be torqued on - not just hand tight and those tin can caps wont remove remove the old filter. Don't tell me about smashing a screwdriver through the can you brute !
How do YOU get the front up with the forks free to turn ? My ABBA stand is my pride and joy.
Now I looked at the brake fluid - the front was down about half an inch from the pads wearing in. Got DOT 4 fluid from Wally for $3 and topped it to the line. Put the fluid in the basement where it will be dry and not frozen in winter. Brake fluid absorbs water so must be kept dry.
I checked the clutch cable free play at the hand lever - one tenth inch of free play gap - couple of turns on the adjuster set that.
Checked all the bolts I could see with a torque wrench (manual has torques). Now all I have to do is changed the oil/filter again -remembering to refill the oil three quarters BEFORE I change the filter in order to prevent an air lock. Using a new aluminum crush washer under the drain bolt of course. Check radiator water (a glance). Check for leaks anywhere - none.
Now all I have to do is those really hard things that only a dealer can do - like seeing if the brake lights /indicators come on and checking the tire pressures and the chain (600 miles - come on). oh and washing it... jeez
I'm so glad I did this - I now know my bike and how to do these checks every month if I want. I know it hasn't been started with an air lock or scratched or lifted inappropriately. People say they take their bikes to the dealer for peace of mind - I did mine myself - for peace of mind !
It says the steering stem needs greasing every 2 years - I will go 3 and then let the dealer grease it - I know my limitations and they stop when the special tools come out.
ok question - I found this so easy because I had a center stand. If I hadn't (like most owners), how would I get the front wheel up and swinging free ? jack it on the exhaust pipes ? arrrghh no way
How ?.. I mean how ? How do the dealers do it ? and HOW do the dealers charge $300 and 2 hours work for a few piddly little checks that anyone could do ?
ps the oil filter job is made a lot easier (made possible - I was struggling) by using the Toyota Camry 3.5 V6 special tool------a "TOY 640" Google it - get one - few dollars - heavy alloy. The filter has to be torqued on - not just hand tight and those tin can caps wont remove remove the old filter. Don't tell me about smashing a screwdriver through the can you brute !
How do YOU get the front up with the forks free to turn ? My ABBA stand is my pride and joy.