General Service Advice

[Craphouserat]

You all know I might change the Fazer once I can get back on the bike next year, but when I had it on the market a lot of people asked if I'd had the valve clearances done. I know I probably pee some of you off by saying this, but I've no idea what these are. I bought the bike off a cop who done all servicing himself, so I did trust him and a mate said It was obvious he took care of the bike, but I can't get hold of him anymore to check if these were done. The bike service history is short to say the least, last service updated in the book was 8000 miles, it has 20K now, but runs fine. To the point of this post, since I'm a divvy I'm going to get the bike serviced next spring to help encourage a sale (since I don't really know what I'm talking about I can say it has just been fully serviced for the new season), should I get a major service done ? Get these clearances done, maybe change chain, sprockets etc ? When should chain,sprockets be changed on bikes ? I've always looked after my chain and I'm pretty sure the sprockets look fine to me, but if I get them done a sale should happen sharpish next spring - hopefully without all the timewasters !! Sorry for all the crappy questions - but could do with a little advice.

Cheers

Barry.

[Hooli]

has it got a topend rattle? sort of a tapping noise? if not then the clearances are probably fine.
chain & spockets, only change if they need it. are the teeth the right shape? try pulling the chain off the back of the rear sprocket, if you can lift it more an a couple of mm then the chain is worn

[Craphouserat]

When I start the bike I leave it to warm up-there is a slight tapping noise at first, this goes after a minute or two. The teeth on the sprockets look fine-as does the tension on the chain,i.e I was told to check that Its not sagging. Thanks for the advice about trying to lift the chain off - not tried that.

Thanks 4 the advice Hooli.

Barry.

[JackHolroyde]

I get valves checked every 16k miles, regardless of knocks/taps.

[AndyDRZ]

Don't spend too much on it. You won't get it back in the sale. It will help it sell more quickly though but then again, so would knocking the cost of all that service work off of your asking price.

Noise at start up may mean it's slightly low on oil

[Craphouserat]

Thanks for all that - I will ask the mechanics to check the valves when I get it done, I won't get the major service done, don't think it needs it anyway. Depending on what(if anything) needs done I won't be asking for any more than I had it up for previously - if I decide to get rid.

Thanks again !

[Steve_T]

Craphouserat said:

Thanks for all that - I will ask the mechanics to check the valves when I get it done, I won't get the major service done, don't think it needs it anyway. Depending on what(if anything) needs done I won't be asking for any more than I had it up for previously - if I decide to get rid.

Thanks again !

Hold up chief. Most of the major service is the valve clearences. That's why people are asking whether it's been done, because it's expensive (a lot of labour) if they have to pick up the tab and important for the continued good running of the engine. The rest of the service, such as changing the oil and oil filter and the other checks also matter. I would talk to the chap you bought the bike from if you can reach him, because it may save you a few hundred notes on a major service. You may only need a small service to sell the bike on, the service ought to pick up any probs that need attention.

Cheers,
Steve.

Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 5th December 15:28

[Craphouserat]

Ohhh-ok thanks Steve. Will ask the guys at the bike shop about this, I was quoted £140 for a service, I presumed this would be quite thorough. Can't contact previous owner anymore, but I know he loved the bike and would have done it if needed, but I understand telling a potential buyer this won't really wash, they will want to know that the engine is fine. I will get advice at the shop on this, if it does need done and it will be a few hundred notes then i might have to put price up slightly, but it was low anyway as I wanted a quick sale, which obviously never happened !!

Cheers Steve.

[Steve_T]

£140 is probably a small service - so no valves.

[podman]

Just a bit of a foot note really, I have always serviced my own bikes but kept the receipts for parts used and made a note of the mileage changed/inspected written on the receipts..Never had a problem selling on that way.

However, I do agree that getting valve clearances checked is well worthwhile, if im correct, your Fazer has a 20 valve head requiring shim adjustments, which is probably why people are asking if it has been done…bear in mind these can tighten, not just loosen, which means the lump will still be quiet but adjustment can still be well out.

However, I bet when you get them checked no adjustment is needed!

I would say that quoted £140 doesn’t include a valve check/adjustment..good value if it does!

[Craphouserat]

Cheers guys - thanks for the advice....I will try and get to know engines..one day - if anything else it might save me a few quid !