Maintenance question

Message

pokefan · #1 Unread post by **pokefan** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:10 am

Hello-
I purchased a Honda Shadow A.C.E. Deluxe band new in 2003 and I have about 700 miles on it. I have not been very good at keeping a schedule with the maintenance on the bike, but purchasing it brand new and the low miles, I have not been too worried. Should I be? I am considring taking the bike to a local dealership and having them replace all of the fluids, spark plugs, etc. Is this a good idea? I do my own maintenance on my cars and have considered working on my bike, the only thing is, I have never worked on a bike before.
If I should not have all fluids replaced, etc, should I at least have the oil changed? I am considering doing this myself after purchasing a motorcycle jack and oil. Is this a good idea?
Thanks for you input.

Aggroton · #2 Unread post by **Aggroton** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:29 am

yeah if you can do it on a car you can do it on a bike im sure. ive done a good bit of work on my bike and its way easier than working on my car. everything is where it is supposed to be.

old-n-slow · Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:58 pm

If you bought it new, there should be an owners manual for it. I suggest you follow the guidelines in the manual (just like you might with a new car)

You have a fair investment here, following the schedule laid out by the manufacturer should help you preserve that investment.

Sat Jun 25, 2005 3:03 pm

Just My Opinion - like my boat, I change my oil at the end of the season - no matter the miles/hours, so I don't have oil laden with acids, soot, and moisture sitting in an engine all winter.

The books say to replace the brake fluid ever 3 years, but I don't know if anyone actually does that.

Cetainly have the plugs checked - they provide a great diagnostic tool about how your engine is running, and you can clean/replace them if they are starting to foul.....

If you don't feel comfortable working on it, take it in or have a friend who is a gearhed show you how.

I know with my bike, if you aren't carefull, you can strip the spark plug threads out of that aluminum head. get the proper torque wrench(es).

Gadjet · #5 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Sun Jun 26, 2005 9:52 am

Fluids replaced yes, spark plugs? I wouldn't worry about them at all. That bike doesn't even have the mileage to get it much out of the break-in period, so your spark plugs will be fine.

Hell, your oil/filter don't even need to be changed until you hit 3000 miles, but given the amount that that bike has probably been sitting, changing them would be a good idea.