Maintenace Help

[JGroenke]

I have an 03 with 22K miles and we're planning a 3K mile + tour from LA to Vancouver, BC in a couple of weeks. I want to make sure my bike is in tip top shape but I'm not clear on what maintenace needs to be done. I've read my manual but am looking for some real world advice.

1. Oil and filter of course.

2. Air filter has 6K on it, should be OK?

3. Front brake pads are getting down there so I'm doing front pads and fluid all the way around.

4. Forks are feeling a little floaty to me so I'm doing the fork oil which has never been replaced.

5. How about the fork seals? There are no signs of leaking but should I do the seals for good measure? How hard are they to do myself?

6. I know I'm close to the limit on valve adjustment but I don't have time to do the valves before the trip. Am I safe to leave the valves?

7. I've got 6K on a set of Pilot Power 2CT they are pretty good still, but it's a long trip. Thoughts?

8. Anything else anybody would recommend?

I'd appreciate any input anybody has.

Thanks

Jeffery

 

[wheatonFJR]

Make sure you have brake pads, good brake fluid in both front and rear lines, and fresh oil.

If you've been maintaining your bike, these should be in good shape.

New radiator fluid from your yearly maintenance. Fork work is usually an off season bit of maintenance, not usually waited for 2 weeks before the big strip.

Fresh tires and lubed bearings from a recent tire change should be in order before a big trip.

EDIT: Make sure your final drive oil is as fresh as your engine oil...ie -new.

YOU SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL.

 

[phroenips]

I'd also be changing the brake and clutch fluid

 

[dannymax]

I wouldn't wait too long after you get back to do the valves but you should be ok for the trip.

Fork seals....if they aren't leaking I wouldn't touch them. And if they do start leaking it will most likely be because of dirt....get a 'Seal Mate' (cost about $5) to clean them out....should take care of the weeping.

The tires will have to be your call but be sure to check tire pressure before and during!

Have a great ride!! :yahoo:

 

[FJRay]

I agree with what has been posted already. I like to start with fresh tires and use up the old ones around home but I do my own so it's easy. Fresh fluids are a good idea at that milage trip or not. Valves are more than likely fine. Fork oil ought to be done every couplle years anyway. My 03 has over 100k on the original seals so if they don't leak leave them alone.

I don't know your route but if you are in eastern Oregon and need something give me a shout. Shop phone is 541-536-8556.

 

[SkooterG]

I have an 03 with 22K miles and we're planning a 3K mile + tour from LA to Vancouver, BC in a couple of weeks. I want to make sure my bike is in tip top shape but I'm not clear on what maintenace needs to be done. I've read my manual but am looking for some real world advice.

2. Air filter has 6K on it, should be OK? Fine. Change interval is 12k.

3. Front brake pads are getting down there so I'm doing front pads and fluid all the way around. Are you sure you need to on the pads?

4. Forks are feeling a little floaty to me so I'm doing the fork oil which has never been replaced. Don't know if oil will have anything to do with 'floaty', but it can't hurt. 22k is not bad for oil, but what the hey?

5. How about the fork seals? There are no signs of leaking but should I do the seals for good measure? How hard are they to do myself? Hard to do (compared to oil) If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Still if the forks are completely disasembled, due to their age, it can't hurt.

6. I know I'm close to the limit on valve adjustment but I don't have time to do the valves before the trip. Am I safe to leave the valves? Totally safe. They aren't due till 27k. Not a big deal if you go over that a little.

7. I've got 6K on a set of Pilot Power 2CT they are pretty good still, but it's a long trip. Thoughts? Sport tires with 6k on them? I would be changing those out to a more proper sport-touring tire before the trip.

8. Anything else anybody would recommend? Coolant and hydraulic fluids should be done at least every two years. When were those done last? Final drive fluid change interval is 16k - when was that last done? Levers lubed? Rear brake pedal pivot lubed?

 

[CAJW]

I'm with Skooter on every answer, with heavy emphasis on a tire change. You'll probably find out in a very inconvenient location (BFE) that your tires won't make the planned extra 3K you want to squeeze out of them. Like FJRAY said, save the take offs for local stuff and start a trip on fresh meats.

 

[RED]

My experience with the air filter: I pulled mine out for the first time this past spring. (filter had 34,000 miles on it) It was in good enough shape that I just blew it out with compressed air and re installed it. I dont plan on checking it again for another 30,000 miles and I will probobly NEVER buy a new one.

 

[SkooterG]

My experience with the air filter: I pulled mine out for the first time this past spring. (filter had 34,000 miles on it) It was in good enough shape that I just blew it out with compressed air and re installed it. I dont plan on checking it again for another 30,000 miles and I will probobly NEVER buy a new one.

Mental note: NEVER buy a used bike from you.

 

[JGroenke]

Thanks to everybody for the input. The coolant slipped my mind maybe because this is my first water cooled bike. The trip is actually the first week of August so I've got a few weeks to get all the work done. FJRay if I break down in Oregon you'll be my first call, thanks. Can I call you if my wife's Harley breaks down too?

Jeffery