to go, or not to go

JA1LER · 08-21-2004, 9:16 PM

One friend says "you've GOT to let the dealer do that first service! There's alot the mech can tell by inpecting the oil and they go over the bolts."
Another friend says "don't waste your damn money and do it yourself!"
First service interval coming up fast (pun intended). What do ya'll think? For those do-it-yourselfers, do you reinstall w/a torque wrench our use the German (gootentite) method? I do my cages myself but they're old and leaky anyway.

ND4SPD · 08-21-2004, 9:25 PM

Buy the service manual and do it yourself...

JA1LER · 08-21-2004, 9:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Buy the service manual and do it yourself...

I know we touched on this at the pub the other night, but you say whether you torqued or not. Well, do ya? Do ya, huh?

929_Nupe · 08-21-2004, 9:28 PM

you gotta do what makes you feel comfortable, if you have doubts take it to teh stealer....... if you feel confident in your ability.... don'to

Baketech · 08-21-2004, 9:30 PM

I like letting the dealer do the first drop on a new bike...after that it's mine...

NinerPilot · 08-21-2004, 9:31 PM

Do it yourself unless you have heard/felt something you want checked out. I worked as a tech for a very large dealership and most of what I did was first services. Unless there is a note on the work form, on most bikes it was an oil change, fluids check, then check to make sure all the major bolts were tight. Also check your brake pads. I caught a couple of sets going premature and replaced them while I had it.
The Honda Service manual is almost worth its weight in gold.
Chris

cbr99xx · 08-21-2004, 10:07 PM

I've done mine myself. I keep a log and the receipts for the oil and filter. My dealer told me that this would be sufficient if any problem came up on down the line. Now I must say that I try to keep a good relationship between the dealership and myself so YMMV.

NinerPilot · 08-21-2004, 10:17 PM

Oh, and run dino oil in it one more time at least before switching to a fully synth if you so desire. You can usually get Honda GN4 when you pick up your filter.
Chris

JA1LER · 08-21-2004, 10:17 PM

I may have already blown the "good relationship" part with my dealer

. I sorta stayed on em bout some grab-rail hole covers that were sposed to come w/ my bike (finally got em too). Then today, I took it back and made em put an inspection sticker on it after I ealized there wasn't one

Bacchus · 08-21-2004, 10:35 PM

Screw the stealer - just change oil/filter and ride it. After all, it's a Honda. Just curious, did you buy an extended warranty? Checking bolts/nuts often is also a good idea.

cbr99xx · 08-21-2004, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA1LER

I may have already blown the "good relationship" part with my dealer

. I sorta stayed on em bout some grab-rail hole covers that were sposed to come w/ my bike (finally got em too). Then today, I took it back and made em put an inspection sticker on it after I ealized there wasn't one

Yeah... A relationship with a dealership can be a hard thing to maintain but a necessary evil IMO. I've been through a couple over the years. The way I've been able to keep a good (not great) relationship with my current dealer is to not let them work on my bike.

I do it through the parts department. I'll order a set or two of tires from them a year. Various parts here and there; oil, filters, Honda cleaner, etc. I've made it a point to get to know the parts manager on a first name basis and be sure he sees me whenever I come around. With my AMA and good customer discount coupled with them paying the freight the costs are not that bad.

freq · 08-21-2004, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Buy the service manual and do it yourself...

Read the Owners Manual and DIY. Common torque specs are in the newer manuals.

JA1LER · 08-22-2004, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacchus

Screw the stealer - just change oil/filter and ride it. After all, it's a Honda. Just curious, did you buy an extended warranty? Checking bolts/nuts often is also a good idea.

They (wisely) didn't even enquire as to whether or not I wanted an extended warrenty after seeing how strapped my budget was to just get the bike financed!

CBR929RE · 08-22-2004, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbr99xx

Yeah... A relationship with a dealership can be a hard thing to maintain but a necessary evil IMO. I've been through a couple over the years. The way I've been able to keep a good (not great) relationship with my current dealer is to not let them work on my bike.

I do it through the parts department. I'll order a set or two of tires from them a year. Various parts here and there; oil, filters, Honda cleaner, etc. I've made it a point to get to know the parts manager on a first name basis and be sure he sees me whenever I come around. With my AMA and good customer discount coupled with them paying the freight the costs are not that bad.

I have a similar strategy with keeping a good relationship at my stealer, except I'vw know one of the parts guys since before he worked there so I get a really good discount. Haven't had to take the 929 in for anything yet but I have an independent mechanic I took my old bike to before, does awesome work. He yelled at another friend for taking his bike to the stealership to get his jet kit put in. and after being in twice to have the carbs adjusted he brought it to the independent guy to get done again and done right this time. (wasn't a Honda dealership anyway but a ApriYamaKawkUki place)

JA1LER · 08-22-2004, 7:34 PM

Preshate the advice. This is the first bike I've bought new and I guess I'm a nervous nelly. The service manual is a must and will be the next book in my library! I also like the idea of befriending the parts-counter guys

I guess it's about time I added a torgue wrench to the tool box anyways!