Need Help With Maint.

[chascarpenter1]

I stopped by Colman Power sports to check on when and how much my 6000 mi service would be they said $500.00 just for labor and that the 9000 would 700 dollars in labor. I was actually upset by these figures. Once you add in parts and tax an average maintenance visit is like $600+.

I would really like to keep my spyder but with a baby on the way I don't want to have to worry about dollars floating away every time I ride.

Is there anyone around the VA, MD, PA area that could teach me how to do standard maintenance?

Baby on the way don't want to sell but I have to prioritize so self maintenance could save me lots of $$$.

 

[xpeschon]

According to the maintenance schedule is there an actual 6,000 mile maintenance service due? And if so can someone post what is done at the 6,000 mile mark... I'd better check out my Owners Manual...

Joe
(X)

 

[boborgera]

I stopped by Colman Power sports to check on when and how much my 6000 mi service would be they said $500.00 just for labor and that the 9000 would 700 dollars in labor. I was actually upset by these figures. Once you add in parts and tax an average maintenance visit is like $600+.

I would really like to keep my spyder but with a baby on the way I don't want to have to worry about dollars floating away every time I ride.

Is there anyone around the VA, MD, PA area that could teach me how to do standard maintenance?

Baby on the way don't want to sell but I have to prioritize so self maintenance could save me lots of $$$.

:congrats:
I'm kind of strange in my thinking, i don't like to make appointments, take time to bring it in for standard maintenance. I just change the oil/filter myself. I even did the 6 hundred myself. In a few days I'll be out of warranty any way. My total cost for maintenance is $401 in two years and just short of 12 thousand miles. Now that's just me i can afford to gamble that BRP maintenance schedule is over kill. If you just want to do oil changes your self that's about 75/80 dollars in parts.
I've done this with all my cars trucks and bikes.

But with a baby coming how much riding do think you going to be able to do any way?:dontknow:

 

[chascarpenter1]

Follow the link to get to the operators manual.

http://12.2.215.22/og/default.asp?SessionId=b1a2b243264642a3927d4f7e6b78b433&Lang=EN&brands=ROADSTER

Go to page 87 to get to maint. schedule.

Also, when is says inspect valves what are they looking for? I would also be curious to find out how much of the labor time is alloted for removing the Tupperware, something that I could easily accomplish. I wouldn't be surprised to find out if it was close to 2 hrs. for disassembly and assembly.

 

[xpeschon]

I answered my own question and to be honest with you its basically an Inspection of your engine ... If you look at your owners manual and see the amount of work they are doing there is no way that I would pay the $500.00 dollars, you can do most (if not all) yourself.. There are only a few things that you may not want to do and here they are in accordance to the Maint Schedule:

Reverse Mechanism (SM5)--Tells you it need to be adjusted
Throttle body---Tells you to Adjust or Clean
Drive Belt--Inspect and Adjust-- Theres a service message on this anyway and should, I say again should not cost anything anyway.
Oil and Filter change


Everything else is basically Inspect, example is: Tires--Brake Fluid--Plastic parts fasteners--Rear wheel nut---Steering Play---
Basically pretty simply stuff, so WHY would anyone pay the 500.00 bucks??

Joe
(X)

 

[xpeschon]

Valve Clearence is in the 12,000 mile mark and not the 6,000 mile mark-- it does say Inspect first at 6,000 though,, not sure...... I'm thining in most cases they probably do not do this anyway, maybe, who know's once it get's in the shop.. As for as taking off the Tupperware,, yeap I'm sure thats included in the price,, I say bring it in with all the Tupperware off, should save ya some anyway but again, for the most part I'm thinking you can do most all of it..
Joe

 

[boborgera]

Valve Clearence is in the 12,000 mile mark and not the 6,000 mile mark-- it does say Inspect first at 6,000 though,, not sure...... I'm thining in most cases they probably do not do this anyway, maybe, who know's once it get's in the shop.. As for as taking off the Tupperware,, yeap I'm sure thats included in the price,, I say bring it in with all the Tupperware off, should save ya some anyway but again, for the most part I'm thinking you can do most all of it..
Joe

My opinion only, They check them like i do, By ear if they don't make noise there good to go!!

 

[xpeschon]

Thats what I'm thinking as well.. Roger that!!

Joe

 

[ataDude]

My opinion only, They check them like i do, By ear if they don't make noise there good to go!!

That only works when they loosen. In most cases, they will tighten (lose clearance) and then you will wind up with burned valves. They will tighten up as the valve impacts the valve seat over time.

However, I think I read here that the inspection at 6k miles was eliminated by BRP with only the 12-24-36 etc. required as an inspection/adjust.

.

 

[bikeguy]

My opinion only, They check them like i do, By ear if they don't make noise there good to go!!

I don't know how the dealer inspects the valve clearance but it should be something more than by ear. In my opinion, valves that are too tight are a much bigger problem than valves that are too loose but they don't make any noise. I can, maybe, tell if valves are too loose by listening but my ear isn't sensitive enough to tell if they are too tight.

Cotton

 

[Prense01]

It would be interesting to know how many valve inspections on these engines have resulted in a necessary adjustment and at what mileage.

Chris :doorag:

 

[chascarpenter1]

I really would like to do the maintenance myself. I consider myself mechanically capable but in the case of the spyder not very knowledgeable. I'd hate to break her out of ignorance or stupidity. I really would like a mentor to show me the ropes. Even with a 3 hr drive time thats just a good reason to ride.

 

[chascarpenter1]

Can any tell me if BRP removed the 6000 valve check if so I would love it in writing to show the maintenance department at Coleman's.

 

[krb1945]

chascarpenter1

There are many threads on how-to do maintenance on this site. If you can't find what you are looking for just ask and we'll help. I know what it is like to support a growing family on a thread... heck I'm still supporting a grown daughter and two grand children... I found out the hard way just because they grow up they don't just grow away.

Anyway just ask us how to do maintenance... this is a great:thumbup: bunch of spyder riders :spyder2: on this site and we'll all pitch in and guide you.

You have just put in your post the reasons why I started providing oil change kits for the spyder. Members right here on this site were paying as much as $60 plus tax :yikes: for oil filters and gaskets which is in IMHO excessive. Check my signature. /Ken krb1945-OEM

 

[M2Wild]

Spyder is designed to market to the Boomers who usually has a ton of money and don't want to get their hands dirty wrenching on it. Hence the oppertunity for dealers to come in and make a killing on service. Its not as bad once you learn how to service the bike and troubleshoot your issues. People here are great source of infromation from the simple stuff to intricate things that can make your head spin. My maintenance budget is set at no more than a few hundred bucks a year for my Spyder and I have been staying under that so far. Oil change is simple but messy and most of the time spent is removing plastic parts to get to the work area. Working on my own bike gives me greater sense of accomplishment when I ride it and knowing it is done right the first time.

 

[Sarge707]

1- Start by taking off all the body panels and looking around the bike.
2- Make sure your oil level is right and your tire pressure is good.
3- Read the Oil Change How To Do.

If you saw what a lot of dealerships "Actually Do," for that kind of $$
you might want to practise your profession on them!:roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

Valve Clearence is in the 12,000 mile mark and not the 6,000 mile mark-- it does say Inspect first at 6,000 though,, not sure...... I'm thining in most cases they probably do not do this anyway, maybe, who know's once it get's in the shop.. As for as taking off the Tupperware,, yeap I'm sure thats included in the price,, I say bring it in with all the Tupperware off, should save ya some anyway but again, for the most part I'm thinking you can do most all of it..
Joe

The first valve clearance check is at 6,000 miles, then 12,000 mile intervals thereafter. Check the fine print. Those with very early machines will need to see the revised maintenance schedule issued as a dealer bulletin.

 

[xpeschon]

Wow I'm gonna have to take a harder look at that.. You had mentioned something about a REVISED SCHEDULE I didn't know anything about that either, is that on the BUDS? I think thats what they call it.. Thanks for the info NancysToy-- Great help..

Joe
(X)

 

[NancysToy]

Wow I'm gonna have to take a harder look at that.. You had mentioned something about a REVISED SCHEDULE I didn't know anything about that either, is that on the BUDS? I think thats what they call it.. Thanks for the info NancysToy-- Great help..

Joe
(X)

I think the revised schedule was put out via BossWeb (the dealer network). In actuality, it eased the valve checking requirement from what it was initially. Later manuals and online versions of the manual contain the correct information. The 6,000 mile requirement for the first is under the comments.

 

[Trickie Dick]

I had my 6000 mile done a few weeks ago. they wanted to check the valves and I told them no, that it was not required until 12.000 miles. :dontknow: Oh well, in reading about this in the past, I don't think anyone has had their valves adjusted that early.. seems like the earlier posts thought the check was unnecessary at 6000 miles. As I recall, the service manager said it was 3 hours of labor to do this. Not cheap