Triumphrat

schwartzkm · 11-23-2005

Well, I rolled over 500 miles pulled out the service manual and did the checks myself.
Couple observations:

1) do it yourself unless you just want and can afford the 140.00 for the dealer to do it for you. There really is nothing to it.

2) I have never owned a bike with a chain so figuring out how much slack was in my chain was somewhat new to me but not very difficult to figure out. 500 miles probably doesn’t do a whole lot to the chain anyways but it is a good exercise nonetheless.

3) That blasted oil site glass is sure difficult to get used to. My son was helping me and I finally pulled out a level and told him to hold the bike even because any little tilt just throws the whole reading off.

iandel · 11-23-2005

How much trouble did you have adjusting the valves? Can you do it without too much special equipment?

Ian

schwartzkm · 11-23-2005

Valve clearance checks are not done until 12k. I will likely purchase the necessary tools to perform that as well.

RedBird · 11-23-2005

Ian,

The maintenance scripts don't call for valve clearance Check/ Adjustment until 12,000 miles, and they shouldn't need this maintenance unless you are having unusual problems. Adjustment is done by shims, and you would have to purchase the necessary shims. IMHO, this is not a maintenance for a novice; however, one has to learn sometime. This would be a good one to be able to watch someone who has done it many times in order to learn. A service manual is a must for this maintenance and even for many of the "simpler" maintenance procedures, IMO.

Larry

greenbonnie · 11-23-2005

Schwartzkm,

I purchased a new Bonneville about 6 weeks ago, being up here in Northern Illinois riding a bike without a faring at this time of the year gets a bit dicey, so that limits my miles.

I have Honda Goldwing, which over the past several years have done any of the required maintainance. The manuel and some maintainance DVD's have made the work quite easy. If I take my time, I end up having more faith in my own work. So your post just encourages me more, and I think the next accessory I need to purchase we be the shop manuel for the bike.

The web site here has been wonderful and the open sharing of ideas just enhances the whole sport. Thanks.

11-24-2005

Don't take this the wrong way, but I didn't purchase a new bike to turn wrenches on it. I think the $140 is not that bad a price to pay to have a bike serviced, get the dealer stamp, and maintain a relationship with the service manager. It does have the potential of paying off if any warranty issues come about within the warranty period. I will buy the service manual and get the tools out when warranty is out.

cobra935o · 11-24-2005

Usually these services are just built in money makers for the dealer. I can change my own oil, check my throttle, and chain for a lot cheaper then 140.00. If you arent willing to do this or arent mechanically inclined, I guess 140.00 isnt a bad price to pay. Oh well, just a thought or two. Nathan