DIY maintenance while still under warranty

Discussion in 'Australian Motorcycles' started by Joe, Nov 1, 2005.

  1. Joe

    Joe Guest

    Good afternoon all.

    Hope you had a win on the Cup. I certainly dint :-(

    Does doing your own service void the warranty?

    I prefer to do these myself as I know exactly what's been done. (If
    you want something done properly...)

    I am quite prepared to document all the work I've carried out ie
    receipts, log book etc.

    Any thoughts?

    Cheers

    Joe
    ZZR1200
     
    Joe, Nov 1, 2005
    #1
    1. Advertisements

  2. Joe

    IK Guest

    Scheduled servicing can be carried out by any qualified mechanic without
    affecting the warranty.

    In other words, if you're a qualified mechanic, go sick. If not, get
    chummy with a bikeshop which'll stamp your logbook for you.
     
    IK, Nov 1, 2005
    #2
    1. Advertisements

  3. Joe

    FuTAnT Guest

    Yup, that's the key. Get in good with your mech then go from there. I do all
    my own oil changes and all sorts of other assorted stuff (even shims) and
    they stamp it for me. If you need special tools or it's too much hassle,
    just take it to the mech, get them to go over the harder stuff, and let you
    do the easy stuff. Stamp the book, and away ya go!

    Cam
     
    FuTAnT, Nov 1, 2005
    #3
  4. Joe

    Joe Guest

    G'day all

    Thanks for the input.

    As PaulH suggests, I'll document everything.

    I'll start with the 1000 km service - oil and filter change, check the
    fluids and pay myself the $120.

    Cheers

    Joe
    zzr1200
     
    Joe, Nov 1, 2005
    #4
  5. Bloody tight arse!! How ya supposed to live on that?

    Hammo
     
    Hamish Alker-Jones, Nov 1, 2005
    #5
  6. Joe

    Conehead Guest

    If he does it every day, he'll have $600 tax-free per week, working from
    home, and weekends off.
    Sounds like a decent living, to me.

    --
    Conehead
    "Every day I think about dying.
    About disease, starvation, violence,
    terrorism, war, and the end of the world.
    It helps keep my mind off things."
    McGough
     
    Conehead, Nov 2, 2005
    #6
  7. Joe

    FuTAnT Guest

    Bloody oath. Follow the service manual etc and you can't really go wrong. Do
    remember to atleast go over and check the tighness of all the major
    nuts/bolts etc as well.

    Cam
     
    FuTAnT, Nov 2, 2005
    #7
  8. Joe

    Joe Guest

    The service manual I ordered should be here this week and I can do
    this job on the weekend.

    There are 5 zerk (new word I learnt the other day...I always used to
    call them grease nipples but zerk is such a better word...:) fittings
    on the rear suspension of the ZZR and in a lot of cases these haven't
    been used at all from new. I'll bet quids that the 1000km service
    that the stealership do won't include greasing these joints.

    I've had instances of dealer servicing where:

    the alignment spacers were put on the wrong side of things when a rear
    wheel has been replaced on the 'wing causing the disk to bind on the
    caliper. Fixed it myself.

    Allen screws that connected the anti dive mechanism on the 'wing front
    brakes came loose and fell off. I had to do a quick fix down south
    somewhere.

    a friend had the sump plug come off on his Suzuki Gixer. Could have
    been very nasty...

    the wrong screws were used to hold body panels on the 'wing after a
    front wheel replacement.

    I know I'm being a bit anal about this but there is no fathomable
    reason for this to happen. Maybe the "mechanics" ran out of givashit,
    I don't know.

    I'm sure there are lots of instances where this sort of stuff happens
    with, at the least, annoying and at worst, dangerous frequency.

    I guess I'm just getting very cynical and grumpy in my old
    age...besides it's a lot of fun messing around with the bikes.


    Cheers

    Joe
     
    Joe, Nov 2, 2005
    #8
  9. Joe

    Nev.. Guest

    You might lose that money. I noticed after picking a bike up from it's
    first service at Redwing Honda that there were drops of oil on the
    exhaust cans. A bit sloppy I thought.. spilling oil there... then I
    realised it was just a drop or two from where they'd lubed the pillion
    pegs pivots... how many people who service their own bikes have ever
    been that thorough?

    Nev..
    '03 ZX12R
     
    Nev.., Nov 2, 2005
    #9
  10. Joe

    FuTAnT Guest

    Well, since they rarely get used, and the fact that I can still see grease
    on em, I think I'll pass :) Still, good to see that they did actually bother
    to do it all.

    Cam
     
    FuTAnT, Nov 2, 2005
    #10
  11. Joe

    Bill_h Guest

    Mmmmmmmmm, zerk fittings...


    Bill :)
     
    Bill_h, Nov 2, 2005
    #11
  12. Joe

    Moike Guest

    Well, I have lubricated the pillion pegs. But I wouldn't use oil when a
    bit of dry lube does the job better and lasts longer. I certainly
    wouldn't drip oil on the cans, and if I did, I'd clean it off.

    Sounds like a sloppy apprentice following a tick-list.

    Moike
     
    Moike, Nov 2, 2005
    #12
  13. Yep, check your owners manual too, the Monster has a bunch of things
    listed and needing to be done at the 1000km service above and beyond the
    oil change, it says:

    Spark plugs C
    Carburettor: synchronization and idling adjustment (600/750)* C
    Chain: tensioning and lubrication* C/L
    Timing belts* C
    General testing C
    Flexible cables C
    Clutch and brake hydraulic controls* C
    Steering head bearing clearance* C
    Air filter C
    Engine oil intake filter* P
    Fuel filter* S
    Engine oil filter* S
    Battery liquid level C
    General lubrication* L
    Clutch and brake control oil* C
    Engine oil* C
    Wear on brake pads* C
    Tyres: wear and pressure C
    General cleaning P
    Torque of nuts and bolts* C

    Where C=check and adjust, L=lubricate and/or grease, P=clean, and
    S=replace, and items marked with s * means "This symbol indicates that
    the job in question should be entrusted to a Ducati Dealer or authorized
    workshop where highly trained personnel and special equipment
    are available."

    If theres a similar list in your owners manual, it might be worthwhile
    making a copy and ticking each item off and keeping it as a record of
    you having done the services "by the book"...

    big
     
    Iain Chalmers, Nov 2, 2005
    #13
  14. Raises hand.

    big (not _every service, but I just did it to both bikes on Sunday...)
     
    Iain Chalmers, Nov 2, 2005
    #14
  15. Joe

    Nev.. Guest

    After I picked it up in this case means later that day or the next.
    They didn't give the bike back to me with drips of oil on it. Your
    favourite motorcycle dealer gave my Kawasaki back to me after it's first
    service with greasy fingerprints on the tank... my own fault for not
    buying a Harley I guess.

    Nev..
    '03 ZX12R
     
    Nev.., Nov 2, 2005
    #15
  16. ....and ya can't argue with logic like that. The lucky bastard!

    Hammo
     
    Hamish Alker-Jones, Nov 2, 2005
    #16
  17. I'll have you know I am an analytical physical organic chemist! Want to see
    my "scales"?

    Hammo
     
    Hamish Alker-Jones, Nov 2, 2005
    #17
  18. Joe

    Nev.. Guest

    What sort of bait do you take?

    Nev..
    '03 ZX12R
     
    Nev.., Nov 2, 2005
    #18
  19. Joe

    Theo Bekkers Guest

    do-re-mi-fa....., or are they dinosaur scales?

    Theo
     
    Theo Bekkers, Nov 2, 2005
    #19
  20. Joe

    Joe Guest

    ZZR1200 Owner's Manual

    Quote:

    600 Miles/1000 kms

    Idle speed check - just under a grand and smooth
    Throttle grip play check - just a bit
    Brakelight switch check - brakelight works
    Brake/clutch fluid check (every month) - little windows say okay
    Steering check - If they mean steering head bearings, no play.
    Engine oil change - Castrol Activ4T 15W-50
    Oil filter replace - got one
    Nut, bolt and fastener tightness check - tension wrench is out of its
    box and standing by
    Radiator hoses, connections check - no leaks...but check tighten
    anyway.
    Drive chain lubricate (every 600km) - done last night
    Drive chain slack check (very 1000km) - ditto

    That's it.

    I guess the Kwaka has relatively simple systems and are pretty
    straightforward.

    Cheers
     
    Joe, Nov 2, 2005
    #20
    1. Advertisements

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.