Basic maintenance

[addison]

2004 GS500F - just hit 4k

Forgive me for these basic questions but I am not mechanically inclined.

I can do some of the routine basic maintenance (oil, air filter, etc) required on the bike but have a couple questions...

First off, cleaning the chain. Do you actually have to remove the chain to do this? I looked around the website but couldn't find a "how to" on this. Removing the back wheel maybe out of my league...

Second, how important is to "Inspect valve clearance; adjust if necessary ". After the break in period I had the dealership do this because it is definetly out of my league, but it cost me $240. I put a lot of miles on my bike so this can get expensive but if it prevents damage then of course I am willing to spend it every 4k miles.

Thanks!!!

[chinox22x]

chain cleaning you can do without removing anything.  

just put the bike on a centerstand after a 10 minute ride to warm up the chain.   get a rag and kerosene/wd40 and clean it by rolling the back tired manually.  spray with chain wax after its clean.

valve clearance....i'm wondering why you paid for that separately?  that is usually included in the initial 600mile service.  I paid 90$ for mine for a complete check up.   I hardly doubt there's something wrong with your valve clearance if its not giving you any problems such as bogging down.

[Kerry]

For about half of the price of that shop-performed valve adjustment you can buy yourself a bang-up set of Craftsman combo wrenches, sockets and Allen wrenches.  Add another $50 or so for dial calipers and a valve shim tool and you have everything you need - not only for a valve adjustment but for just about everything else you'll ever do to your bike.  (OK, add a set of screwdrivers.)

Back to the valve adjustment.  Several GStwin members have successfully tackled their own valve adjustment using one of the "tool kits" that are circulating around the country.  See the who has kerry's valve adjusting kit? thread.  You don't even need to own the tools!

If you WANT to use your own tools, I have produced a video that takes you through the process step-by-step.  (See the GS500 How-To Video Series thread.)  Currently the video is being circulated in "rough edit" form.  (There's a copy in each of the toolkits.)  I'm maybe a week (or two?) away from having the final version ready for distribution.

Meanwhile, if you want to understand what valves are and how they work, see this post in the previously mentioned thread.

[weaselnoze]

i'd have to say gstwin is the most considerate and generous forum ever.  i still cant get over how u would just send me ur tools and stuff w/o even knowing me!  this is truely a family

[mp183]

valve clearance....i'm wondering why you paid for that separately?  that is usually included in the initial 600mile service.  

Most shops don't check the valves at 600 miles.  Mine said it's waste of money.  
You can probably get away with the valves every 6,000 miles.

[addison]

Thanks guys, you all have been very helpfull and as of a an hour ago my chain is clean and ready to ride!

Doing the valve thing myself is still a scarey idea...After responding to a mechanics question with "Gap? What is gapping spark plugs?" he looked me in the eye and said "whoever worked on this car needs to stay out from under the hood" knowing full well it was me, lol!!

[JCH]

I've been thinking about getting started on a lot of this stuff myself, especially since I got to test view Kerry's video.

I'm thinking I may give this valve adjustment a shot, as well as the chain cleaning in a few more hundred miles.

Kerry,,, you mentioned that set of tools?  Does the tool kit come in a special brand/product number?  Like "Craftsman Automotive 50pc tool set" or anything like that? (fictional example)  Also, where can I find the dial calipers and valve shim tool?

Thanks guys!

[davipu]

just about everything you need to buy for the beginer mechanic...
basic hand tool set.
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00933062000&tab=des#tablink
compression tester, you will need to find a 12 mm adapter (napa carries it in a set for around 6 bucks)
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00902171000&subcat=Automotive+Testing+Equipment
also you should buy:
dial caliper
17 mm socket
21 mm socket
combination wrenches
allen wrenches
ball peen hammer  16 oz
hand impact******  very important
3/8ths to 1/4 socket adapter
3/8ths breaker bar



feel free to commet or add to this list

[Traveler]

For my mountain bike I was able to buy a simple plexiglass case which looks a bit like a vhs tape case; it separates to encase the chain. The filler puts the liquid of your choice (paint thinners is good for bikes without O ring chains only) then rotate the chain through it for the internal brushes to ticke the dirt off the links.
Why isn't there a fatter version for motorcycle chains.......Srinath, I sense an opportunity for a TIG-welded ammo case with brazed-on lugs here   :mrgreen:

[JCH]

davipu,

thank you much for the recommendations.... deifnetely good to know

[Kerry]

Kerry,,, you mentioned that set of tools?  Does the tool kit come in a special brand/product number?  Like "Craftsman Automotive 50pc tool set" or anything like that? (fictional example)

I got lucky when I bought my all-metric Craftsman set about 4 years ago.  On sale for ~$90 too!  I haven't seen a set like it since - not even in the catalogs:



Most of the mid-sized sets these days seem to have both SAE and metric tools.  That's not bad, especially if you're a homeowner.  But the tradeoff is that you usually don't get the larger wrench and socket sizes.  But you can buy them one at a time when you finally decide to do stuff like:

* Remove your wheels yourself (so you can take them down to the dealer to have new tires mounted).

* Change your oil (some bikes have ... 17mm? drain plugs, and some have 19mm ... or is it 21mm?)

* Goof around with your rear suspension or your steering head.[/list:u]

Also, where can I find the dial calipers and valve shim tool?

For the calipers, start your search at Harbor Freight.  Here is one direct link.  (Hmph!  Why aren't they offering non-electronic units with metric dials anymore?   :x )

The only source I know of for a shim tool (besides the official, poor-men-need-not-apply Suzuki tool) is Dennis Kirk.  The tool I own is made (or marketed?) by Motion Pro.  It is Dennis Kirk part #28270.  Here is a direct link.  Yeah, $34 is not exactly pocket change either.  Therefore the "Toolkit on Tour" program.

One of these days someone is going to come up with an inexpensive,  good-quality substitute for that tool.  I wish they would hurry up!  (You know who you are....)

Meanwhile, I have been eyeing the "square key" stock in the specialty aisle of my local hardware store.  Seems to me that you could buy a small selection of sizes and always find one that will do the job.  I may have to try this out, since I need to swap out a shim and my valve tool is "on the road"....