how important is maintenence????

[rGSXR750j]

i have a k7gsxr750 with almost 9k miles on it. i the first service done through the dealership and the second through a small private shop at a little over 4k. at 8k i changed the oil myself, but that was all i did. how important is it to have a mechanic check over the bike as far as all other liquids?

also i think i fried some of the electronics when i jumped my bike with a car that was running. i know i know...dumba$$...but my boy said it was cool and would work, but didn't know that the car is supposed to be off. now the display messes up sometimes with the gear display. sometimes i'll be in first and it'll say 2nd and jump back and forth.

[Mickey_D100]

You should pick up a factory or Haynes/Clymers manual for general how-tos and maintenance intervals. It's important. :) And yeah, I'd say something could be up with the electronics, especially with a running-car jump.

[caponerd]

Regular oil and filter changes, chain cleaning and lubing, and valve clearance checks are all essential.

Occasionally going over the nuts and bolts on your forks, swingarm, etc. is also a good idea. You don't want any of these coming loose.

If you don't pay attention to valve clearances, you'll end up with burned valves and an expensive repair bill.
Failure to maintain your chain means you'll spend twice as much as you need to on chains and sprockets. This is an item that anyone who rides a motorcycle should be able to do. Most chain manufacturers reccommend lubing the chain every 1000 km (600 miles) or less.

[07chuck]

How long do you want the bike to last???

[Hooli]

How long do you want the bike to last???

+1

[AkatomboR6]

my friend told me to lube the chain every 2 gas tanks

[Hooli]

my friend told me to lube the chain every 2 gas tanks

That's a good rule of thumb.

[mnb]

Every 2 tanks is a high frequency based on my fading experience. I must admit that I haven't owned a chain driven bike in almost 20 years... :)

I checked mine about once a week. Really depends on how much you ride. You can tell visually if it needs lube. Make sure you check the tension on the chain while you're at it.

There should be a little play, but not very much. If it swings quite a bit (like an inch or more), it's DEFINITELY in need of adjustment to tighten it up. A loose chain can jump sprockets and when it grabs, it poses a strong potention for a high side (trust me on this one, I know from experience!) A new chain will stretch a bit for a while and then settle in, so check the tension frequently on a new chain.

[-Baker-]

Do everything yourself except valves....

Oil...every 3k miles
Air Filter every 3k miles with Oil change plus filter--recharge K&N filter (Clean)
Lube chain once a week in my case which is about 300 miles
At oil changes look at the coolant level.
Chain wear....keep a close eye on your chain. If your finding its becoming loose often then your sprokets need changing along with new chain. This all depends on your riding of course...wheelies etc...

Bike will last forever!!!!! as long as you don't thrash it by wheelies or drag racing alot.

[bikeguy8]

Anybody know a good place that is reasonably priced in the San Jose area to service a bike?

[T-1 Thunder]

"how important is maintenence???? "

It's a fuckin scam. Forget about it. Not important at all.
I say ride it 'til it dies.

j/k shove your thumb into the oil and stick it in your mouth and move it around with your tongue. If you got metal chunks, change the oil...and maybe clutch, too.

[Dopesick]

Anybody know a good place that is reasonably priced in the San Jose area to service a bike?

See my signiture below. Go say hello to em'.

[crazy900rr]

I change my oil every month regardless of miles, and I change my clutches every other month as well as check the valve adjustment. But then again I make between 35-40 passes down the 1/4 mile every month in addition to the 30 mile round trip to work 5 days a week.:ride

[puti]

Anybody know a good place that is reasonably priced in the San Jose area to service a bike?

pm el skipador, he'll go to your place and hook you up. plus, you wont get a better price for better service

[Galvatron]

I change my clutches every other month as well as check the valve adjustment. But then again I make between 35-40 passes down the 1/4 mile every month in addition to the 30 mile round trip to work 5 days a week.:ride

:wtf

[Revenant Foe]

but my boy said it was cool and would work

First off good battery tender FTW, I found that out the hard way. As long as you hook it up every night when you're done riding you'll probably never have to get a jump again and I've also never heard of anyone jumping a bike with a car. I'm not 100% sure about it because I don't have any experience with a FI bike (yet) I believe you can still push start it. Guys with modern bikes feel free to chime in and correct me on this one so I don't mislead the guy.

Lastly the quote I clipped from your post. I've learned through the years when it comes to anything unless you've seen said friend do whatever action they say is "ok" take their advice with a grain of salt but thats just my :2cents