Author Topic: How much do you pay for service? (Read 4550 times)

vadim · « **on:** September 19, 2005, 12:32:00 PM »

I need a valve adjust and a carb sync on my bike as a part of 7500 mile service and don't have time to fiddle with it myself. Local shop quoted me 175 bucks. Is it reasonable? What do you pay?

-Vadim

Maniac · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2005, 12:43:06 PM »

Is that just for the carb sync, valve adjust, or both?

Honestly? $175 is what local shops qouted to sync my carbs, no mention of valve adjustments. From the prices I've seen around here, that seems to be really low. Is the shop reputable and do they do good work?

I'm paying $375 for a valve adjust and carb sync/rejet right now, and I had to go 60 miles away to get -that- price (local shop wanted $500 to do the valves alone).

vadim · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2005, 01:22:38 PM »

Hmm, maybe they just quoted me 175 on the carb sync? I couldn't hear him very well.

PeteSC · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2005, 02:04:14 PM »

I think I paid around $300 for a 'full' service....synch...plugs...oil....valve adjust, general check over...but it's been a couple of years.

PaulVS · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2005, 02:38:45 PM »

Last year I got the first valve adjust. @ 600 miles for $125.

Last spring I was quoted $125 for a carb sync. by a different dealer.

I'm buying the carb sync tool from JC Whitney ($40) and doing it myself.

The valves I'm going to let the dealer do next time, because they did a great job the first time, and I'm too much of a mechanical hack.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #5 on:** September 20, 2005, 07:02:56 AM »

I know it's in Aussie dollars, but my last major service, valves, carbs, brakes, steering head, clutch, oil, filters, plugs etc etc was $610.00.

B6mick · « **Reply #6 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:06:35 AM »

Dont ya hate smart ass answers like this.

NOTHING

except for cost of parts, at cost price.

Sorry just couldn't help myself.
What was that song again
Im an asshole, asshole asshole.

B12Teuton · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2005, 08:13:40 AM »

DIY

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2005, 01:36:28 PM »

Like Mick & Manny, DIY is for me. Too many horror stories about ham fisted dealer mechanics not doing the work right or damaging the bike moving it around the shop. (I'm also too cheap to pay their rate.)

I say if you're at all capable, by a manual (if you haven't already) and FIND the time and DIY. If it gets screwed up, you know EXACTLY who to blame

aussiebandit · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2005, 07:26:52 AM »

Quote

Too many horror stories about ham fisted dealer mechanics not doing the work right or damaging the bike moving it around the shop. (I'm also too cheap to pay their rate.)

If I was more mechanically inclined I'd probably try it myself. Oh don't get me wrong, oil changes, chain tensioning, light globe replacements etc aren't a problem. But, I'm afraid that I'm more 'ham fisted' then most, and DIY to me is having your mechanics, electricians, plumbers etc phone number in the mobile on speed dial.

Yes, when it comes to handyman type shyte my Mrs wears the pants.

B12Teuton · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2005, 08:22:55 AM »

Quote from: "aussiebandit"

Yes, when it comes to handyman type shyte my Mrs wears the pants.

So buy her the shop manual!!

Seriously though, you don't need to be a master mechanic to do this stuff. All you need is a little confidence and some guidance which you can find in the manual and here at Bandit Alley (we're open 24/7

). The Bandit has valves that are SUPER easy to check and adjust compared to most other bikes that have a shim under bucket design. If you do it once, you'll kick yourself for every time you paid to have it done. The hardest part about it is just taking the gas tank and valve cover off, and once you get the hang of that, it's painless.

If all or many of the valves need to be adjusted AND you want to get the carbs synced, you may well be looking at a bill of $300-$400. For under $30 you can buy a manual and a valve tool. $70 buys you your very own Carb balance tool: http://www.ivansperformanceproducts.com/tools.htm
I'm going to guess that your carbs are really OK at 7500 miles. It can't hurt to check them, but I went 25,000 miles and never did it. That's just my $0.02.

snofrog · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2005, 10:35:34 PM »

ive never adjusted valves in anything till this spring when i did my own and know what ...it was easy ! and putting it back together i synced my own carbs with the merc stix .once i figured it out i laughed cause i couldnt believe how easy it was (and what people in MY HOME TOWN were willing to pay someone else to do the job lol )also my first time . take that money and put it towards tools or a new helmet and leathers.jmho

b4cruz · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2005, 02:16:27 AM »

ballancing tool!
we don't need no stinking $50 ballancing tool!

http://forums.banditalley.net/viewtopic.php?t=1326&highlight=carb+ballancing+tool

but if i did buy one I'd get the 4 seperate gauges
instead of the bad mercury stuff, its the same price too.
and you never need to buy more mercury

seriously you can do it
i'm blew up my car, i'm a horrible mechanic
but these guys are so friendly and helpful
they got me through all the mess i made with the bike.

it runs better than stock
even though the previous owner treated
it like crap and dropped it

the banditalleybbs is the best