Service history...how important?
Discussion
Whilst looking for a, new to me, modern classic, I have come across a 2014 Triumph which seems to tick all the boxes. It's done 7500 miles and was serviced at 500miles in 2014 and at 2015 in 2015...nothing since, or at least the dealer has no information.(so it may have been serviced by the owner, but don't know).
Is this an issue? I know it's a very low mileage bike but wonder about brake fluid for example.
Perhaps i'm being too fussy and should just buy it and change all the fluids myself.??
Is this an issue? I know it's a very low mileage bike but wonder about brake fluid for example.
Perhaps i'm being too fussy and should just buy it and change all the fluids myself.??
Just buy it.
So many bikes are serviced by their owners for minor bits I.e oil and filter, plugs/air filter etc.
As long as the price reflects a small gap in the history I'd buy it.
I bought a 2014 Street triple with patchy service history but the price was worth it so just did an oil and filter service as soon as it was in my ownership
So many bikes are serviced by their owners for minor bits I.e oil and filter, plugs/air filter etc.
As long as the price reflects a small gap in the history I'd buy it.
I bought a 2014 Street triple with patchy service history but the price was worth it so just did an oil and filter service as soon as it was in my ownership
I spent £200 on last service on my Africa Twin at Honda dealer and they did f
k all, no chain adjustment or oil, the brakes have squeaked from day one. So it will probably get a better service at home my somebody who cherishes their pride and joy.
I did take my old GSXR K7 to an indi and that was well worth the money for valve service, top job, brakes greased, even levers, stand etc. So much better than main dealer.
k all, no chain adjustment or oil, the brakes have squeaked from day one. So it will probably get a better service at home my somebody who cherishes their pride and joy. I did take my old GSXR K7 to an indi and that was well worth the money for valve service, top job, brakes greased, even levers, stand etc. So much better than main dealer.
If you are buying from a dealer then surely they will service it prior to delivery? you can check its got fresh fluids in it easy enough. I dont know what the service interval is on those, but 6k miles common on many bikes, so maybe its missed an oil change or maybe not. Not much of a big deal at 7500 miles if the rest of bike/condition checks out.
...now if it had 15k miles on it and had no record of any servicing Id be more inclined to look elsewhere.
...now if it had 15k miles on it and had no record of any servicing Id be more inclined to look elsewhere.
tonycordon said:
Whilst looking for a, new to me, modern classic, I have come across a 2014 Triumph which seems to tick all the boxes. It's done 7500 miles and was serviced at 500miles in 2014 and at 2015 in 2015...nothing since, or at least the dealer has no information.(so it may have been serviced by the owner, but don't know).
Is this an issue? I know it's a very low mileage bike but wonder about brake fluid for example.
Perhaps i'm being too fussy and should just buy it and change all the fluids myself.??
Brake fluid change will take you an hour or so. Might as well. Fill with fresh super unleaded and ride a good portion of that through the system to clear any gunge.Is this an issue? I know it's a very low mileage bike but wonder about brake fluid for example.
Perhaps i'm being too fussy and should just buy it and change all the fluids myself.??
Might need tyres - check the date codes.
Which model?
Pothole said:
Brake fluid change will take you an hour or so.
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
Dog Star said:
Pothole said:
Brake fluid change will take you an hour or so.
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?On the car I just use a pressure bleeder - 4x axle stands, all the wheels off, go round in sequence. Takes me an hour tops.
Dog Star said:
Pothole said:
Brake fluid change will take you an hour or so.
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
Dog Star said:
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?
I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
If he can play a piano, he can change the brake fluid, I am sure.I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
Pothole said:
Dog Star said:
Pothole said:
Brake fluid change will take you an hour or so.
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
Accessibility is a lot worse on some plastic-clad sportsbikes, than a car. You put the hood up rather than removing body panels.
Not many cars need the valve clearances adjusting these days, or throttle body synch etc. I certainly spend a lot less time servicing a car than a bike.
Service history is vital if you must keep something in warranty, like a BMW. Otherwise, take it into account whatever is/isn't present and buy on condition.
Pica-Pica said:
Dog Star said:
Who takes an hour to change fluid on a bike? Stevie Wonder?
I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
If he can play a piano, he can change the brake fluid, I am sure.I've had new four new R1s and an MV F4 since 1999. Once out of warranty none of them have seen a dealers - it's not like on a car where you can't easily see what needs doing, or easily do stuff.
As said above - buy off condition.
'Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; born May 13, 1950), known professionally as Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music, he is one of the most successful songwriters and musicians in the history of music.[1] Through his heavy use of electronic instruments and innovative sounds, Wonder became a pioneer and influence to musicians of various genres including pop, rhythm and blues, soul, funk and rock.'
Not one single mention of motorcycle mechanistry in there at all...
bogie said:
Not much of a big deal at 7500 miles if the rest of bike/condition checks out.
...now if it had 15k miles on it and had no record of any servicing Id be more inclined to look elsewhere.
^^^ This - particularly on a low tech bike...now if it had 15k miles on it and had no record of any servicing Id be more inclined to look elsewhere.
I've been looking at 15k bikes many haven't had a single service - I'll pass, if only for resale.
Mine has had 3 oil changes within 10k - it costs peanuts so why not.
Depends if the valve clearance needs doing...I'd rather buy a bike with a few more miles but proof that had it done. Did it once on a Honda CBF1000 - what an arse of a job. It needed them as well, and it was hardly a bike I rode bouncing off the redline everywhere.
Particularly an issue on air cooled Ducatis which would run like a bag of spanners when they were wrong.
For everything else I'd rather do it myself, and buy off a bloke like me with a big toolkit and a filthy HBOL...
Particularly an issue on air cooled Ducatis which would run like a bag of spanners when they were wrong.
For everything else I'd rather do it myself, and buy off a bloke like me with a big toolkit and a filthy HBOL...
Stuart Fordyce said:
Depends if the valve clearance needs doing...I'd rather buy a bike with a few more miles but proof that had it done. Did it once on a Honda CBF1000 - what an arse of a job. It needed them as well, and it was hardly a bike I rode bouncing off the redline everywhere.
Particularly an issue on air cooled Ducatis which would run like a bag of spanners when they were wrong.
For everything else I'd rather do it myself, and buy off a bloke like me with a big toolkit and a filthy HBOL...
I have two Hinckley Triumphs, both of which have valve clearance checks every whatever miles. Neither have needed it at 32k miles each, nor have any I've heard about on their respective forums or facebook pages.Particularly an issue on air cooled Ducatis which would run like a bag of spanners when they were wrong.
For everything else I'd rather do it myself, and buy off a bloke like me with a big toolkit and a filthy HBOL...
OP: it'll be fine.
Thanks for all the feedback. In the end I have put a deposit on a near identical bike, with good history and from a dealer who gave me a feeling of confidence by their approach and willingness to meet my requirements. I won't get the bike until next week but am really looking forward to it!
tonycordon said:
Thanks for all the feedback. In the end I have put a deposit on a near identical bike, with good history and from a dealer who gave me a feeling of confidence by their approach and willingness to meet my requirements. I won't get the bike until next week but am really looking forward to it!
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