Am I killing my bike by not getting it serviced??

[jonboy22]

Sounds like a no brainer I know but was just wondering what the general consensus was.

I have a Gixxer 600 K4 and since I bought it about two months ago I've sent it in for its 4000 mile service.

I bought it and it had about 4400-4500 miles on the clock and was due its 4k service. Prior to that the last owner had it seviced twice over the last 4k.

Unfortunately as I was commuting the bike didn't get its 4k service till I put around 6k on the clock. The mechanics said everything was right as rain and she was running a treat.

I've nearly put another 3k on since that last service so it needs to go in for its 7k service but at 9k if you catch my drift.

Problem is that I can't get a service slot till the 1st of Sept, which means even more miles on the clock, is this killing my bike

Should I do what I can in the mean time to keep it ticking? Lube the chain, change the oil filter and air filter?? Or will it be fine and am I being a total drama queen???

[map]

Chain lube and adjustment should be a regular check/do anyhow.

Bike oil will last well into 5K providing you're not caning it all the time like on a race track and getting it too hot and thin. It's also not essential to change the filter at every oil change either. Some people will say change oil at every 2K, 3K or 4K miles. If that's ok for them then why not. Personally the max I'll leave mine is 6K, but often done before, especially if I feel gear changes are not right. However, mine are old bike engines, not any high performance machinery.

Plugs will last well over 10K miles+, providing not any other issues such as running too lean or hot.

It's also not essential to change an air filter that regularly. However, if possible, a clean out shouldn't do any harm.

So, in summary, IMO you'll be ok with a few extra miles, or even K before a service.

<edit>If you're worried I'd recommend doing an oil change (not filter). I like to make sure I use a new crush washer and use the right torque, although that's just personal preference. Measuring the oil out is also useful - the quantity should be stamped near the fill hole (although be careful this isn't with a new filter, as you'll put too much in if not changing it - check your manual for the 2 oil amounts)</edit>
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[cestrian]

I doubt if your killing your bike but common sense tells us that regular servicing will prolong the life of the bike and give added benefits like fuel economy and probaly less repairs in the future.

Anyway, basic servicing on a motorcycle is so easy there's no need not to do it yourself and save a packet.

g:

[jonboy22]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Not you don't need a torque wrench for either. Plugs are a simple tank and air box off job. The air filter is a tank off job. Get a Haynes manual first is the best advice though.

Not servicing it should be ok. The more miles you put on it just means that if anything big that would usually checked a particular service. e.g. Valve clearences at 25k isn't checked and something goes wrong it could damage or bugger up the motor, but should be ok really and you would notice symptoms most of the time anyway.
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[jonboy22]

I can see this all heading down a very slippery expensive slope to be honest.

I love tinkering but am flat broke at the moment, so can't afford any tools, I dont even have paddock stands

But may just give it a go......

[Zimbo]

back to the point of the post, no you won't kill your bike, modern oils are able to cope with the extra miles without too much problem, get it booked in for when they can do it, keep riding it in the meantime, and don't worry about it!!!

[Kickstart]

Hi

Killing it is probably not the right word (although thrashing it from cold / running it low on oil would be killing it), maybe just aging it a bit prematurely.

To change the oil you probably will just need allen keys to take the fairing off, chain wrench to take the filter off and an appropriate size socket with ratchet to remove the sump plug (although a torque wrench would be better).

All the best

Keith
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[the grim reaper]

There was a feature in Performance Bike a couple of years ago about a bloke who had a 32000 mile CBR6. He was on the dole so could just about afford to run it but servicing was too expensive. He said that it hadn't been serviced in over 20k miles so they stripped it down completely to see what the wear was like.

The only thing that had taken a tiny bit of wear were the camshafts, everything else was within spec. This was on allegedly 20k miles old oil, so i wouldn't worry about a k or two on yours.

A friend of mne is in the oil business and he reckons modern semi or fully synthetic oil is good for 10k or more in performance engines. As stated in this thread, hammering from cold will do far more damage than delaying an oil change for a few miles.

Cheers

Grim
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[jonboy22]

Well managed to squeeze myself a service in next Thursday so feel a bit more at ease.

With regards to the hammering from cold, generally speaking I fire the bike up and then put all my gumph on, takes about two minutes or so. Then I wheel backwards out the garage and shut the door, another minute, and then eventually get onto the road. All in all that takes the engine up to about 40 odd degrees.

When is the engine roasty enough to start riding a wee bit more aggresively??

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Is that oil or water temp?

Oil temperature is generally a better indicator. but to thrash it 80/90+
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[Kickstart]

Hi

As above, oil temp is the major point but oil takes ages to warm up (10~20 miles would do it) compared to water. Personally I would just start up and ride off immediatly, but just treat it as though you are running in until it is well up to temperature (rough rule of thumb, half the red line for max revs).

All the best

Keith
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