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New bike, service questions?
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:17 am
by acritzer
Just got a v-star 650. It's got about 6,500 miles on it. I'm a novice at bikes and engines. What kinds of things should I ask to be looked at or done to the bike this fall before I pack it away for the winter.
I already know I need new tires, and will have an oil change...but what other common items need to be checked/cleaned/serviced?
I just don't want to get taken for a ride (ha, ha) by asking them to look everything over. Oh, you need this and this and some of that....you know what I mean?
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:56 am
by acritzer
Nobody has anything to suggest? I'd rather not go in to a new mechanic and just say, "look it over". You just never know how far you can trust them.
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:43 am
by Veda
What service has been done on it so far? If you don't have any records from the previous owner I would get a full service for whatever the closest interval in your manual is. There is probably a 6k mile recommended service and the manual will recommend what needs to be changed and inspected.
In terms of preparing it for the winter, if you are planning on taking it off the road for a couple months picking up a trickle charger and plugging your battery in is usually a good idea. I would also pick up a product like Sta-bil, which you add to a full fresh tank of gas before you put her away.
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:57 am
by Shorts
+1 Veda
What you do no depends on what's previously been done and where you are in the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.
Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:13 am
by acritzer
Well, I know the previous owner well, so I can certainly ask him. As far as I know though, the only thing that's been done recently is an oil change and maybe spark plugs. I hasn't been driven much in the last several months.
Over the last day or so, I just noticed that there may be a tiny oil leak. Like a drop overnight...hopefully that's not going to be a big problem.