Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge 6,000 mile check up -

So I brought her in for the 6,000 miles check up.
The owner of the dealer walks over to me, like surgeon returning with grim news. He says to me: you need new brake pads. I say: Brake pads? For Real? He says: Yeah, city driving.
So, here is the itemized list:
1. 6,000 mile oil change and lube
2. Front and Rear brake pads
3. Installation of my Iso grips ( which the guy pulled the tank for so he could tweak the throttle cables at the carb ). Also.. I dunno what he did to my clutch but it feels like the clutch on a "Kenworth haulin' logs".

grande total, with labor (aka prison sex) $441.00

ouch.

The oil change and brake pads are the cheap part. Installing the grips probably added $200 in labor...

The oil change is probably not the cheap part. I was shocked to see on my bill from the last service that Triumph charges over $50 for the oil. Next time, I'd just do it myself.

Hmmm seems like your front brake pads shoulda gone longer. The rears stock dont last much more than 6K but I still have some wear left on my stock front pads at 18K

The dealer will still charge you 50+ for oil and filter to do it yourself. Hit up the tech vault and look into alternatives.

OUCH is right!! When I first took my bike to the local dealership a few years ago I quicky realized that I could probably do what they do for a fraction of the cost. I also found that with a bit experience I could do it better as well.

I replaced brake pads for about $60, and now change the oil for about $25. And although a bit frustrating I installed Iso grips purchased for $60. And I'm not exactly a bona fide wrencher. I did find one of my best purchases to be a shop manual. I'm not ready to tear apart the engine but I'll tackle just about anything else. Haven't messed up anything I couldn't fix yet....

Would you guys still recommend that the first oil change (500 miles) be done by the dealership? They normally mention that they need to clean it out to get tiny shards of metal and bits of "broken-in" engine out.

Personally I would say yes thorn, just for warrenty purposes.

Mikey, one of these weekends this summer we should do a tech day BBQ somewhere central to the New Englanders. Chain adjustments, oil change, brake pads, etc. I think I'm almost due for pads anyway. A bit of confidence going in to those simple repairs is as good or better than any amount of reading, ya know? Yes, that was ouch, but I think I paid more for mine if it makes you feel better.

If it's close enough I would be interested in the meeting of the minds.And if I have that day free. I am booked most weekends over the summer due to our toy business.

I don't even know when.... SO hard to plan, especially with weather being a factor. Hopefully someone in CT will offer up their driveway

I could probably do CT. if timing permits.

That's a fantastic idea!
What's in the middle? Danbury, CT?

ya know, 50 bucks for the oil change is quite reasonable, as Mobil t synthetic costs 50 bucks just by itself.
G
PS- if they didnt use that, then not so hot

$50 isn't bad , I agree. To buy just the stuff you need is $50 if you buy it from Triumph.

There is usually tech stuff going on at the rallies. It was impressive to watch Snekept do Bennys Valve adjustment in less than an hour. It probably would have been 20 minutes if Benny didn't help.
Pete has air wrenches for fingers I'm pretty sure.

Hey Mickey,
I just had my 970 mile oil change and I eeked out at $153. the oil ran $51 and labor was $65. WE are in the wrong business but overall I felt okay knowing the guys at the shop did a complete overview of the bike. Several things changed as in my clutch, made it realease much quicker than I really like but I got used to it AGAIN!
Teh folks at my dealership didn't even sneeze too hard at the excess miles. Stamped the book and gave me a handshake. It that good? At least he wan't wearing a glove with grease on it!

On my 04 America I changed all my oil and did the maintenance after the intial and usually got by for around $35 total on oil changes.

Trumpy

I think this is a great idea. I don't have confidence in my delaer and would love to learn how to do thing and meet people.

Count me in!

Ron

I don't have a drive way, but maybe I could maybe find a decent sized parking lot? The problem is my schedule is so crazy, the boat is usually busy on the weekends. As for the 500 mile check up, I'm due for mine and I'm going to take it to the stealler just because of the warranty.
Capn

I am going to find out from my landlord at my office to see if we can use the parking lot. It can hold 60 plus cars. My office is in Danbury. He's let others use it before. I'll find out this week and keep you posted. There is also a gas station right next door and a Starbucks. The location is great as it is right off Route 84 at exit 2 from NY and 2B from CT.

Ron

Sweet, I think I know where that is... Might work. Someone's house would be great, only because of access to tools if need be. At any rate, we should do a ride, maybe jet some carbs, brake pads, little stuff like that. Valve jobs and the like are saved for rallies!