What's a good service manual?

[N44]

I need a service manual for a 87 kawi ex500. Any particular brand/purchasing location better than the rest?

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by N44
I need a service manual for a 87 kawi ex500. Any particular brand/purchasing location better than the rest?

Don't know about your bike in aprticualr, but here is what I have noticed about MC shop manuals:

The Clymer/Haynes will be a PITA because you always have to look up torque specs, etc. Constantly flipping around. The factory manual will usualy have everything right on one diagram for you, which is very convenient. However the factory manual assumes that (1) you actually know what you are doing, and (2) you have all the tools that a professional motorcycle mechanic would have. The Clymer tends to tell you tricks that the dactory manual will not mention. (Like using an air compressor to loosen the nuts on the bottom of the forks and loctite to reinstall instead of buying a T handle that's made to fit in the forks. And using a wet rag on the headers when chaging oil...)

It's good to have both - I use the factory manual a lot more often than the clymer. But if it's a job you've never done, it's good to have both. Also, Factory manuals tend to run $100+ as opposed to $20+.

[elskipador]

Originally posted by assnelbo
Factory manuals tend to run $100+

for what bike ?? i've got about 20 factory manuals from kawasaki, honda and suzuki and not 1 of them retails for over 60. in fact most of the honda 1's are about 40.

[kevo]

IIRC my R1 factory service manual was $50 +/-. The One for the TZ was $fr.ee :teeth I got it for Xmas.

$100 ? Doubtful.

[wannabe]

From www.buykawasaki.com

Part Number: 99924-1056-04
Description: Service Manual EN450/500/EX500
Price: 59.95

From www.ronayers.com

Part Number: 99924-1056-04
Description: S/M EN450
Price: $34.89 :thumbup

[assnelbo]

Originally posted by elskipador
for what bike ?? i've got about 20 factory manuals from kawasaki, honda and suzuki and not 1 of them retails for over 60. in fact most of the honda 1's are about 40.

Originally posted by kevo
IIRC my R1 factory service manual was $50 +/-. The One for the TZ was $fr.ee :teeth I got it for Xmas.

$100 ? Doubtful.

Well, I got mine used for like $20, and it was quite some time ago. I got a whole bunch of stuff from some guy on Craigslist.

I just checked Yamaha's site, and it seems that my manual runs for only $60.00. I apologize for providing false information. Never trust the internet. :laughing