Failed MOT

[littlejimz]

Hi there, i just sent my bike in for its MOT and its failed on 3 things.

these are:

Nearside Front Shock Absorber seal failed and leaking oil.

Front Roller Brake test indicates a binding brake

Headlamp Aim too high.

Now i know the headlamp problems isn't mcuh of a problem but i was wondering how much you reckon it would cost to fix the other two problems and if they are major problems.

Any help is greatly appricated.

[Vincent]

What bike is it? Front fork seals are fairly easy usualy. Sounds like the front caliper needs stripping and cleaning. Again fairly easy. Total for parts would be about £15 - £25 depending on how bad the front caliper is..

[littlejimz]

hi sorry forgot to put the make of bike in.

its a honda varadero 125cc.

im not sure how bad it is as im not that mechanically minded.
£15-£25 for parts tho doesnt sound too bad, was expecting it to cost quite a bit to do.

[Vincent]

Just looked on Wemoto:-

Fork seals...................................................£8
Front caliper piston & dust seal..................£5
(or)Front caliper complete seal set.............£15

Would imagine a shop would charge about £40 to £50 to do the work. Is there a manual for the Varadero? if so, you could get one and have a go yourself but, as we're talking about your front brake, it needs to be done properly

[littlejimz]

hi there.

i have looked for a haynes manual for my bike but they only seem to do one for the 1000c version so dont know if any of it would apply to my bike. Plus i have never done any sort of work on bikes so wouldnt know where to start and would rather get it done by a pro.
Going by those prices tho that doesnt sound that bad. Also they said that i should get both seals replaced at the same time as it may un-balance the bike if i only get the problem one done. Is this true?

many thanks
james

[Vincent]

[littlejimz]

ok cool thanks for the help. i may as well get them both done that way i know that they are both good.

they garage where i took it are going to give me a ring on monday to tell me the price, so i will update this post when i know how much they are going to charge.

many thanks again for the help.

[Vincent]

I hope they are a good honest garage - not many of them about nowadays

[littlejimz]

hi, i just got a price form the garage. They reckon its going to cost £164 to do it. Is that a fair price for the work they have got to do or is it a bit steep. Im not really sure to be honest as i have never had any work done on my bike since i bought it and thought i better ask.

thanks for your help.

[Vincent]

It always seems a lot to me cos I never use garages, apart from getting tyres taken off/put on, and that doesn't really cost me anything. Last time I looked, labour round here was about £35 - £40 per hour. Forks take about an hour to one and a half hours as long as everything comes apart ok and same for the caliper so, with the spares, it should be more like £120, I would have thought. Do you get a free re-test?

[littlejimz]

hi, thanks for the help, i have got to pay for a partial retest if i get it done in the next ten days, which isnt too bad. i think i may just pay the money and get it done anyway as i need to get it done soon as its my way to and from work and also between two sites so its quite important.Plus i have left it a bit late as the current mot runs out on the 25th.

thanks for all your help tho.

[superslick]

fork seals are usually cheap as chips, from £5 - £10 but people like to charge alot to replace them these days.
____________________
aprillia rs125 gp-1 2004