Author Topic: How much work do you actually do?  (Read 6881 times)

Offline Dan-nyce

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How much work do you actually do?
« on: July 28, 2011, 05:33:56 PM »
Hi all,

I'm a newbie to the C-14.  I frequent the site regularly but because of a crazy busy schedule don't get to respond and interact as much as i would like to.  I bought a 11 in March and have fallen in love with my machine. :)
I am a electrician by trade and have always done small maintenance work on my other bikes with ease before getting rid of them for the C-14.  I usually left then major stuff to my mechanic(Engine, brakes, carburetor adjustments). 

After the 600 miles i brought my bike to my dealer and they did the service.  On top of being rather costly for maintenance I found that they left the bike dirty and stripped one of the Allen bolts that open the battery compartment.  I also had asked the service manager if he or one of the mechanics could show me any tips on the spring adjustment and the shock pre load and they were clueless.  The answer was to twiddle with it until it felt better.......

I have taken the first step and ordered a service manual and @ this point think I want to try and tackle as much of the service work as possible.  I must say i'm a bit apprehensive on doing things like the valve adjustments and brakes etc.

Just wanted to see if other guys had felt this way @ one point and how hard or complex is the service stuff you would normally bring the bike in for.

Thx in advance for the responses.

Offline shreveportSS

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #1 on: July 28, 2011, 06:01:02 PM »
Hi all,

I'm a newbie to the C-14.  I frequent the site regularly but because of a crazy busy schedule don't get to respond and interact as much as i would like to.  I bought a 11 in March and have fallen in love with my machine. :)
I am a electrician by trade and have always done small maintenance work on my other bikes with ease before getting rid of them for the C-14.  I usually left then major stuff to my mechanic(Engine, brakes, carburetor adjustments). 

After the 600 miles i brought my bike to my dealer and they did the service.  On top of being rather costly for maintenance I found that they left the bike dirty and stripped one of the Allen bolts that open the battery compartment.  I also had asked the service manager if he or one of the mechanics could show me any tips on the spring adjustment and the shock pre load and they were clueless.  The answer was to twiddle with it until it felt better.......

I have taken the first step and ordered a service manual and @ this point think I want to try and tackle as much of the service work as possible.  I must say i'm a bit apprehensive on doing things like the valve adjustments and brakes etc.

Just wanted to see if other guys had felt this way @ one point and how hard or complex is the service stuff you would normally bring the bike in for.

Thx in advance for the responses.

I do it all. Sounds like you use the same dealer I do. They are clueless.
2011 Concours 14
2011 ZX1000GBF Ninja. Died Dec. 1st, 2012
2012 ZX1000HBF Ninja.

Offline Jack Daniels

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #2 on: July 28, 2011, 06:46:48 PM »
Yeah, I hate to let others work on my bike or my cars.  I try and do it all if possible. 

Offline IRULE

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #3 on: July 28, 2011, 07:01:35 PM »
I do tires and oil change - everything else is at the dealer. 
2009 Black Kawasaki Concours 14
2009 Red Buell 1125CR
1978 Triumph Bonneville

Offline ZG

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2011, 07:29:05 PM »
Gas in the tank and air in the tires for me, anything else I just let my local shop do it...
 
I've known the owner for about 20 years and they take great care of me, they even take me to work when I drop it off and come back and get me when it's done.  ;D
 
« Last Edit: July 28, 2011, 09:02:11 PM by ZG »

Offline C1xRider

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #5 on: July 28, 2011, 08:28:34 PM »
Dealer for warranty work, everything else myself.  Unless you have real confidence in a shop and the mechanic that actually does the work, you will always be wondering.

When the time comes for you to do a bigger maintenance job, there's always the helpful folks on this forum to egg you on.  ;)

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2012 K1600 GTL 8), 2010 C14 ABS, 2002 HD FXSTDI, 2000 XT350, 1998 C10, 1983 V65 Magna, 1978 HD SX250

Offline darrell

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2011, 04:02:37 AM »
As soon as the papers were signed on my bike, I went over to the parts counter and ordered the service manual.

I've never worked on a watercooled bike or an inline 4, but I know when I do, it'll be with more care and attention then anybody getting paid to do it would.

Besides that, when I went to the dealer to get parts the owners manual says to replace each service, I was told that they were a special order part  :o  If it's supposed to be changed each service, why would they need to special order it??? 

Edit:  I've found having the service manual, and help on-line from forums like this one, there's nothing I won't attempt to tackle when it comes to maintaining my bikes.

-darrell
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Offline atilla457

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #7 on: July 29, 2011, 09:31:40 AM »
I do and will do all maintenance myself as much as possible.

Before c14, I decided never to take my bike to a shop after my first experience.  Then for 1st 600 mile service, I read it's more than oil change (check hoses, nuts, etc. Basically if the bike is still holding together).  So i took it to the dealer.  The dealer just changed oil and charged me $180.  They didn't even remove the fairings.

I do all the maintenance on my car too.

Internet and service manuals are great.

Plus it's fun and you start to trust the bike more.
2009 Concours 14 ABS - Black

Offline Hornblower

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #8 on: July 29, 2011, 11:17:19 AM »
I'm getting older and more paranoid and I'm looking for ways to save money. As a result, I'm doing more and more work on my bikes and cars than ever before. Of course, simple jobs like changing fluids (oil, brake, & coolant) is something that I always do for myself. For my VW Jetta and Triumph Speed Triple I even have the diagnostic software and communication cable to connect to the ECU. I can get into all kinds of trouble with that stuff but it's fun and challenging. If that option becomes available for Kawasaki bikes, I will buy that as well. For tire changing, I remove the wheels but I do take them to a shop to have new tires installed. I am considering learning how to do valve adjustments and throttle syncing but those jobs aren't due to be done yet on my '09 C14.
2009 C14-Black

Offline stevewfl

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #9 on: July 29, 2011, 11:22:28 AM »
None on my own at my will, most all of it when Teressa reminds me maintenance is due and nudges me.  She loves the bike and Kawasaki more than I ever will. At Daytona bike week, she RUSHED me out of the HONDA tent to go to the Kawi tent.  I cannot comprehend such behavior  ;D

We were on the trolley and she gave me this look and said "why didn't we bring the blue bike"
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Rhino

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #10 on: July 29, 2011, 11:39:38 AM »
My 2010 has about 18,000 miles on it now and the dealer has not seen it since I rode it off the lot. I even do the tire changes. On my other bikes the only thing I have ever had a dealer do was to change the cylinder base gasket on my 2001 Suzuki DR650. I'm still contemplating weather or not to have the dealer adjust the valves on my C14. It will depend on how lazy I feel this winter.

Offline Leo

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #11 on: July 29, 2011, 12:05:14 PM »
If I was in the business, it would be different, but I left the business in the early '80's.   I can and have done major work, like crank shafts, pistons, rods, transmission gear sets, etc.  I have straigthened frames, even changed the rake of the head stock, chopper style.  (I never got very good at relacing spoked wheels, so all my bikes get mags)  As I aged, I have gotten less interested in spending a lot of time improvising for the lack of tools and work area under a 100 watt bulb in the dark garage.  I quit buying blown up bikes and basket cases.  I quit taking in side work on other peoples bikes.   Now I get a good solid machine and do any maintenance needed to keep it running properly.  I'll do a clutch, cams, any lube and adjustments, replace anything that is worn/broken.  I would probably even do an engine if it made good economic sense.  I have not split a crank case since 2003.  If a bike is too tired to be able to cross the country with on short notice, I sell it and get a "fresher" one, do a maintenance on it, and go for a ride. 
Yep, still riding the old one

In Indiana, missing Texas

Offline Mad River Marc

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #12 on: July 29, 2011, 01:09:58 PM »
I do most of my own work as well.... If you are going to do that, then I'd also suggest fred's Video series....VERY valuable :)

Offline Kwikasfuki

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2011, 04:07:34 AM »
Speaking of fred where is he?
Not seen a post from him for ages.

Offline sherob

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2011, 07:08:40 AM »
I'll do everything up until it requires me to start pulling things from the engine... LOL!!!  :o  I'll do fluids, tires, lights, brakes, batteries... but I don't have time or patience to start messing with the engine... I know that about me, and willing to accept and pay for it.  8)
Rob
Brighton, CO... missing Texas!

Offline koval68

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #15 on: August 14, 2011, 08:58:36 AM »
Speaking of fred where is he?
Not seen a post from him for ages.
Politics, my friend! Politics!
You can find Fred alive and well in here:
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Tom"Killer"Kowalski   COG#9263  Newmarket,Ontario
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Offline Tarheelbob

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #16 on: August 14, 2011, 09:59:11 AM »
You're familiar with basic bike maintanence. With the Service Manual, a set of Fred's videos (a HUGE +++), and the support of folks here on the forum, you can get most anything done short of full warranty work. Go for it. You'll learn a bunch and be very satisfied on a job you know is well done. If your time is always tight, though, that may be your biggest stumbling block. When time is at a premium, you'll want to be riding instead of wrenching!
When life hands you lemons, go get the tequila and salt.

Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #17 on: August 14, 2011, 12:12:11 PM »
None on my own at my will, most all of it when Teressa reminds me maintenance is due and nudges me.  She loves the bike and Kawasaki more than I ever will. At Daytona bike week, she RUSHED me out of the HONDA tent to go to the Kawi tent.  I cannot comprehend such behavior  ;D

We were on the trolley and she gave me this look and said "why didn't we bring the blue bike"


You are a very lucky man !
2008 C14 GTR1400 AKA "Connie"

Offline Just Krusen

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #18 on: August 14, 2011, 01:27:35 PM »
Unless it's a warranty issue I do all of my own work.  I ordered a service manual before picking up my C14.  My '02 Wing has over 166,000 miles on it and only saw the dealer for a couple of warranty repairs.  I will still ride the Wing anywhere.  We are planning a cross country trip on it next year.

My C14 is 2 weeks old and I have over 1000 miles on it.  I did the 600 mile service myself.  Still waiting for the manual but have already removed the fairing and other parts for farkle installs and service checks and tightenings.  I don;t see this bike as being very difficult to work on.  Time consuming maybe.

Ed Kruse
Naples FL
'02 GL1800 ABS
'11 Concours 14

Offline CrashKLRtoConnie

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Re: How much work do you actually do?
« Reply #19 on: August 14, 2011, 07:33:51 PM »
Old Post Info On How Much Work People Do

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=2283.msg27604#msg27604

2008 C14 GTR1400 AKA "Connie"