Tune-up - Please advise

desantim · 07-22-2008, 2:37 AM

Hey everyone, my bike is in need of a tuneup, I purchased it two months ago, running well, but I've noticed some things, some vibrations, and some noises on the upper end of the RPM range that I would like to have looked at.

The local place to where I am quoted me at 75$ an hour, close to 5 hours of labor to,

a) change spark plugs
b) change air filter
c) sync carbs
d) check valve spacing
e) adjust chain

So I was thinking with just that, it is close to $500+ out of pocket. I would try to do all this myself, but I do not have access to a garage or any undercover area any longer. My bike is covered at night and that's all the protection I can give her.

Do you guys think this is a fair price for the work done, or are they over charging me (US dollars)? I think the chain is ok for a few thousand more miles, it has a bit of slack, but it is still in the "green" area on the scale and I think can get away with one adjustment. It has no kinks or anything so it's ok.

Anyway, I really want to get this work done and make sure everything is ok with her especially with winter coming up in a few months and I want to get it done so I can go ride! I don't have a ton of money, I could come up with at most $700 right now.

Mario

DragonXX · 07-22-2008, 2:47 AM

The price sounds very consistent with Oz here too.
I'd do all the things you can do by yourself (eg. a,b and e) cct and others !
Leave all the fairing off before you take to the pros so they don't have to charge you for labour to do so !
Unfortunately there are things you need specific tools for ! and things that require the experience to do them and that's where a good and trusted techie come in !
Good luck

CanadianBird · 07-22-2008, 12:02 PM

Agreed. I pay $90 per hour here in Vancouver. Have you downloaded the service manual? Are you a bit techy yourself? Plus one on DragonXX's advice. I have an excellent tech; for example, he assembled the Bird out of the crate and he has done every service but two, I was on the road, and every upgrade, too many, and he knows my Bird and enjoys working on it. So As stated, try to find an excellent tech, and stay with him/her. Good luck, and as I posted prior, I enjoyed your town when I passed through there one summer.

RazinKane · 07-22-2008, 12:33 PM

75.00 an hour is not bad. That is about what the local Honda dealer charges here. I have found a place that charges 50.00 an hour for labor. It may be a good idea to shop that price around. I have also found some of the mom and pop shops willl drop their rate if you ask. Every one needs the money now, not the time to be turning down work.

DragonXX · 07-22-2008, 6:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RazinKane

Every one needs the money now, not the time to be turning down work.

the world economy is definitely a buyer's market

xx2wheelin · 07-22-2008, 8:11 PM

before you go through with everything how many miles are on your bike? some of the things that you listed as part of the dealers tune up may not make sense depending on how many miles are on your bike. but as far as the price you were quoted i would say that is very reasonable especially the checking valve clearances is a very tedious job and i DO NOT recommend it to any novice.

desantim · 07-23-2008, 2:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xx2wheelin

before you go through with everything how many miles are on your bike? some of the things that you listed as part of the dealers tune up may not make sense depending on how many miles are on your bike. but as far as the price you were quoted i would say that is very reasonable especially the checking valve clearances is a very tedious job and i DO NOT recommend it to any novice.

24k miles on her, not sure the history of the bike. Bike was exceptionally clean when I got her. One small scratch on the right engine cover from I'm assuming tipping her over, but besides that, no cracked plastic or anything. Looks like it was set up for touring.

I just want a professional to go over her and make sure she is as good as she can be. Maybe they can work out some of the "irritating" but non-serious kinks she has right now.

~Mario

xx2wheelin · 07-23-2008, 8:42 AM

24k is right on par for that kind of service. and the price is pretty reasonable id say go for it.

Partsguy · 07-23-2008, 9:41 AM

How come changing the oil wasn't in that price?
Anyway you could probably change the oil,plugs,air filter,let someone else do the rest.Checking/adj valves is usually a 3 hr job alone.That is right about the mileage where you might need a few shims replaced,any noise should be taken care of,could be the tensioner too,who knows.
$75 does sound pretty reasonable.I know a place in St. Thomas,Ont that charges $60...

CanadianBird · 07-23-2008, 12:31 PM

Price is important but you want a knowledgeable tech that you can trust.

desantim · 07-23-2008, 12:51 PM

I'm just worried that the valves will need to be shimmed and if that is the case they said it would cost quite a bit more. They quoted me at just checking the clearance... I would assume it would be another 4 hours at least to do the shimming... Which would tack on another $250 which would put me at something like $1000, which seems to be quite a lot and I don't exactly have right now

Mario

Partsguy · 07-23-2008, 1:19 PM

Get another estimate.

desantim · 07-24-2008, 8:23 PM

Welp, ended up making an appointment to get her worked on today. The place can't work on her until August 7th, so I drop her off the day before.

The guy quoted me for $600 for parts and labor or there abouts.

They are going to do a scheduled service on the bike which includes the following for the above price,

1) Chain adjustment and lube
2) Replace plugs
3) Replace airfilter
4) Tighten and adjust all cables
5) Check valve clearence
6) Any tire maintenance needed

I think that's about it... But he pretty much said there should be nothing maintenance wise needed to be done at the end of the service.

Thank you all for your input.

Mario

SilverBrd · 07-24-2008, 9:22 PM

Thes are some of the things that you can do to save your money.

1. Adjust your chain and lube it.
2. Change your air filter. (wouldn't hurt to have a buddy help you here)
3. Change your own oil.
These three things you can do relatively easy and save you a ton of money.

Valve adjustments done depends on who you are talking to. My wrench will only adjust valves if he has to replace the valve cover for some reason. He told me its a waste of my money actually. Some people believe in this tho. Your decision there.

Don't forget to replace/flush your radiator at the mileage you are at as well.

I do my maintenace in segments as I have done when I purchased my Bird.

Oil was already changed when I got her
Bought a new front tire/ paid $170 installed
Bought brakes. front and rear/ Did this myself
Cleaned and recharged K&N air filter/ Did this myself
Flushed radiator/engine ice / Paid $100 parts and labor
Installed new chain and sprockets / paid $55 in labor

Now I am due for another oil change and will put new plugs in this winter. I may do the plugs but then again I might pay my wrench to do it. Not sure if I have the tools to do it.

Also, try to find you a good wrench in your area and stay away from the dealerships for you maintenance needs. It will save you money in the long run.

steveb · 07-25-2008, 8:25 AM

I must agree with most of the previous replies - save yourself a load of money and do the easy stuff yourself!!

Adjusting / lubing the chain is so easy, 10 minutes max and that's if you lube it by spinning the wheel by hand not the more "exciting" way of doing it with the engine running and bike ticking over in 1st gear

Oil change again, has to be an easy DIY job, you warm the engine, put the bike on the stand, take out the oil filler cap, whip off the filter, take out the drain bolt and leave the bike a good long while to drain into an old bowl, come back, put new filter on, new washer on the drain bolt and refill the engine with lovely new oil. Job done, I think I once saw a link on Warchild's site about this?

Checking tyres? How hard is that? Look at the tread depth, look for nicks and foreign bodies wedged in the tread and check the pressures.

Plugs and air filter are time consuming but, again, easy to do, just be methodical and save yourself a ton of money.

I have no tech training but, I can read a manual / understand how things fit and for most of the jobs they're charging you for that's all you need to be able to do.

Leave the brake fluid change / cooling system flush / valve clearances to them as they will have the correct equipment to ensure a safe / accurate job.

If you still feel you have money to "throw away", I'll send you my paypal details

Cheers
Steve