The joys of servicing

[Paul]

Gents,

Serviced the bike today and managed to get away with only one sheared bolt (top right altenator cover bolt). I replaced the alternator belt using Bailey's patented "quick-'n'-easy" technique of cutting off the old belt (which was starting to split...) and fitting the new belt over the bottom pulley by spinning it on with a spanner.

I then tried adjusting the valve clearances, but aborted that procedure afer spining the engine to TDC (and beyond several times) and struggling to insert my (recently purchased) feeler gauge. I just didn't feel brave enough to have a go in the end.

Changed the gearbox oil, final drive oil, engine oil and cleaned the air filter and changed the plugs for fancy platinum types. I checked the throttle bodies using Steve's twinmax, but they have not drifted off since I balanced them about 4k miles ago.

Gear changes are now noticibly smoother and quieter now and the engine's running like a well oiled machine (funnily enough).

Cheers,

Paul

[herrman]

..Sounds good to me Paul, I'll be doing my own servicing in future after giving?? ASTLE the best part of £300 for a 12000 mile service and new rear pads. I think I may have been charged for last weekends sarnies and coffee though. Works out at around £50 per hour labour, Wish I could earn somewhere near that!!
Regards Peter.

[Gromit]

Too bloody right Peter - I can get a clarinet lesson, at the Royal College of Music in London, with one of the finest clarinet teachers in the country (if not the world) for quite a lot less than 50 quid per hour.

Makes one think.

[herrman]

Bike goes in on the 5/4 for a new set off forks and lower brace. BMW are well aware of the problem with the finish on the forks (They replaced them on my 2000 S under warranty and are now going to do the same with my 2003 S From previous experience I know that a quick coat of Hammerite lasts much longer than the original finish so what the f--k is going on. Is this why I pay so much for a basic service. Probably my own fault for accepting poor service but whats the alternative??

[stempy]

Unfortunately, the only alternative is to give your money to another manufacturer who spends more on paint

[Darth_1100S]

When I bought my (in a sorry state) 1100S the fork bottoms were well and truly gutted. I rubbed 'em back an sprayed them with Smoothrite. 9 months on and 1 winter of riding and they still look good. Smoothrite is almost the same colour as the original. ...Question: If I can get it right with a bit of cheap aftermarket paint, then why can't BMW with all their huge resources? Surely it's not too much to ask for the damned paint ot stay on the forks for more than a year! They charge us enough for the bloody bikes.

Rant over, climbs down from soapbox - retires to bed

G'night all

Dave.

[Frenchie]

Dave,

BMW can't get it right because they have to use water based paints so that most of the bike can be recycled (same for everyone who sells in the EEC). All the bits I've spryed have been in twin pack (paint + hardener) not water based not recyclable but goes through salt laden winters without a problem.

Andy

[winger]

Hi Peter

Bloody hell 300 quid!!!!,funny enough i need the motor on my Tiger shimming went to a dealer i haven't used before my previous one went bust,when i told him i just wanted the motor doing he wasn't very impressed,but there ain't to much on it thats standard like my S,so it''ll be funny to see the look on his face when i roll up with it.


Chris

[fraggle]

I wish the labour charge at the only BMW dealer on this rock was only £50. As they now own most of the car franchises here, they charge a mere £100 bike or car. But of course we are lucky here, they don't put VAT on that.

[adamski49]

I wish the labour charge at the only BMW dealer on this rock was only £50. As they now own most of the car franchises here, they charge a mere £100 bike or car. But of course we are lucky here, they don't put VAT on that.

I think the expression rhymes with 'clucking bell'

Adam

[Gromit]

I think the expression rhymes with 'clucking bell'

Adam

Naa...that's gobbladuke!!!