Am i just wasting money???

Twirly · Post by **Twirly** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:47 pm

im thinking of giving my bike a full service some time in january, but i have only done about 200 miles since my last "half" sevice(oil and filter) 6 months ago.
i was told at my last full service (january 07) that a full brake service may be required because of the lack of use. Is this right?
and i was told that due to the bike being stuck outside under limited shelter (a lean to and bike cover) the oil should be changed every six months to stop any condensation from building up. Is that true or not?

any information you can provide would be very much appreciated.

Stormin Ben · Post by **Stormin Ben** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:27 pm

Cobblers!!
Condensation forms in the oil from doing short runs where it doesnt get properly hot.
What more excuse do you need to go for a decent ride out

WRT brake sevice, thats fair-ish
Its worth removing the calipers and pads, gently pump the pistons out a bit, clean them up and repeat a few times
Then put it back together with some copper grease

solorider · Post by **solorider** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:01 pm

oil should still be changed even if the bike is not used,why do you think a service interval may say 5000miles or 6 months whichever comes sooner,consendation inside an engine is a killer and hence why it should be changed even if the bike hasnt been used,also brake fluid should be changed every 2 years as it is hydroscopic,brakefluid will attract water quicker than a wasp to jam

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:53 pm

I wouldn't be worried about the engine oil after only six months and 200 miles of use. If it had done a lot of miles or was a year old that would be another matter. Brake fluid is easy to check too. It is highly hydroscopic just as Solo says but personally if your brakes are working fine I wouldn't worry too much either (It is a sealed system after all).
I would be more worried about all the other bits and pieces which might need attention if it's been stood up for so long out doors. Check all your suspension linkages, swing arm bearings, chain, wheel bearings and so on and so forth. Go over the whole thing including all the electrical switches and give it all a good looking at and re-grease/repair or replace as necessary.
At the end of the day the bike must be working as a whole. It's no good having a good engine and fine brakes if your throttle cable sticks and you plough into a wall

Sorry...a bit pompous of me I know but what I'm really trying to say is don't just fix on one or two things look after yourself and check the lot out cause they're all important.

Pete.l

Twirly · Post by **Twirly** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:24 pm

Thanks for the tips, i think i will get the bike fully serviced. best to be safe not sorry.
do you think i need to explain to the garage that the bike has been sitting around or does a service cover everything no matter how many miles?

Pete.L · Post by **Pete.L** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:16 pm

Depends on the garage Twirly.
Ask what is covered under what kind of service it may just come under a full service. To be sure I would tell them the history of the bike and list what you would like checked before they do anything. That way both parties know what's expected and hopefully they will do exactly what you need and you'll avoid getting it back and them saying "oh no, we didn't do that cause thats not covered under a service"
Have a good chat with them,it's always worth it.

Pete.l