Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

hi to all i have just been screwed by my mechanic his prices have just gone up from about $200 to about $260-280 for a minor service and now had to put it off for another week so i now want to learn how to and what needs to be done for the minor service so that i onle have to pay fore the major service can anyone help

whitelighter wrote:hi to all i have just been screwed by my mechanic his prices have just gone up from about $200 to about $260-280 for a minor service and now had to put it off for another week so i now want to learn how to and what needs to be done for the minor service so that i onle have to pay fore the major service can anyone help

Change the oil and filter, check the chain and sprockets, check the tension on the steering head, adjust your cables and thats probably about all they'll do at a minor service. If you're not worried about warranty issues do it yourself or get someone who knows to help. You'll save a quid

The pricing sounds about right for a dealer type service though

95 GPX so warenty is no issue but i have a VERY limited mechanical knowlage so would need to get some one to help and still trying to work out what tools i need to get and what parts im likly to need as i dont have a car to be able to get things once i have started

oil & filter...hmmm $40-60 depending on what u use....
brake pads $100 (2 sets on those)
chain & sprockets $200 or less (if reqd)

carton of beer- $40

things like brakes pads, chain & sprockets may only need to be done every 20,000km or so depending how u ride etc...mostly its just time & knowledge ur paying for...

Glen wrote:...Change the oil and filter, check the chain and sprockets, check the tension on the steering head, adjust your cables and thats probably about all they'll do at a minor service.....

only things I would add to this is check air filter and clean/replace if required, same for fuel filter (if fitted).

You should get a manual for your bike, and spend a couple of nights just reading the 'Basic Maintenance and Tune-Up' section. This will go through the whole process of :

Oil change
Oil Filter change
Air Filter Inspection / replacement
Fuel filter inspection/replacement
Inspect/replace spark plugs
Inspect/replace brake pads
Lube and adjust chain
Lube all control cables
Steering head tension
Swingarm pivot tension
headlight/tailight/indicator check & bulb replacement
Check battery fluid level
Charging system check

This is a bit more than a 'minor' service, but covers most of the important areas that you should be across if you are going to have a go at servicing your bike.

Other things like valve inspections and adjustment, leave that to the shop (major service)....

Good luck, its always *way* better to do these simple things yourself imho.

whitelighter wrote:hi to all i have just been screwed by my mechanic his prices have just gone up from about $200 to about $260-280 for a minor service and now had to put it off for another week so i now want to learn how to and what needs to be done for the minor service so that i onle have to pay fore the major service can anyone help

Like Glen mentioned, it's normally just oil and filter. Shouldn't cost you more than $60. If you need a hand me or wisc can help you out as we both live close to your area.
Chain and sprockets usually last a fair while. My 12 has over 30,000km, the chain and sprockets still look like new. All depends on how you ride.
Also there's a tech day coming up early next year, but no date has been set yet.