Honda Varadero v9

[staningrimsby]

Well about 5 weeks ago at the age of 45 I bought my first learner bike a Honda Varadero 125 v9 and was assured that before delivery it would have a full MOT and a service as well.

The MOT was done as promised and I just presumed the service would have been as well, today I decided to wash my bike and check a couple of things i.e. oil level, chain tension etc and this is what I found;

https://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt88/staningrimsby/Motorbikes/Honda%20Varadero%20125%20v9/OilLevel.jpg

The oil level does not suggest it was changed 5 weeks ago

Also I am no expert but should the chain be like this ?? I'm guessing it should be a bit tighter;

https://s600.photobucket.com/user/staningrimsby/media/Motorbikes/Honda%20Varadero%20125%20v9/LooseChain.mp4.html

That brings me to my question I understand the principals of tightening the chain but is there any special way cheking the wheel alignment once its been done ??
____________________
When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[hedgehugger]

Is it on the side stand?
The oil can look lower if on the side stand.

[covent.gardens]

Agree about the oil showing low if on sidestand, but that video of the chain... definitely too loose.

[Beehive Bedlam]

I can not see a centre stand in your video they don't come as standard.

Was it on the side stand when you checked the oil level? If so I suggest you buy a telescopic mirror sit on the bike then check the sight glass with the mirror.

Or get someone to sit on the bike whilst you check.

[staningrimsby]

Hey guys no it wasn't on the side stand had my mate Jordan holding it straight for me to get the best reading.
____________________
When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[covent.gardens]

Typical of dealers. Before they've got your money they'll throw in a "proper" service as part of the deal, tell you the bike will be made tip top etc. After they've got your money, the service doesn't mean jack shit (lucky to get an oil filter in with the oil service, if you even get that)...

[Az]

Check oil level on a flat ground with the bike upright. Fill the bike with 10w-40 if it needs topping up. I normally aim for midway between the high and low mark (as I always tend to go over) therefore if you do pour in more than you intended it won't be overfilled.

Adjust your chain asap, it's way too lose. A chain falling off could cause some big damage if you're unlucky; fucked up engine casing and possibly wrapping around your rear wheel and flinging you off. I'd also buy some chain cleaner and lube.
If you do adjust your chain as far back as it will go and it's still loose, replace both the chain and sprockets.

[staningrimsby]

Going to Honda to get an oil filter and the oil tomorrow lunch time, dread to see what the air filter looks like if they cant be arsed with a simple oil change they aint going to remove the tank to change the air filter.
____________________
When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[staningrimsby]

Any idea how much oil I will need tomoz, I cant see it being anymore than 1.5 Ltrs
____________________
When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[Beehive Bedlam]

[Nobby the Bastard]

I wouldn't listen a single word of Bodyguard's, he'll be suggesting you weld your front sproket to the drive shaft before too much longer.
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Rogerborg]

The MOT's likely not worth the paper it's cheaply printed on either. Eh, it happens, some dealers will screw you over today because they don't care about repeat business tomorrow.

4 or 5 litres of Mr Tesco's cheapest generic 10w40 slop (not bike specific, just avoid anything with 'friction reducers') will do you fine, you'll get through it if you stick with biking.

The oil filter is internal, I expect they probably haven't changed that either. For £4.45 delivered, I'd definitely DIY it to be sure it had been done.

Chain tension is easier done with the wheel off the ground, so if you don't have a centre stand I'd suggest buying a paddock stand. The cheapest universal one off of eBay does my GS just fine.

Wheel alignment isn't rocket science. Run a long straight edge along the rear tyre, see which way it's pointing. Or measure from the axle to the end (or front) of the swing arm on both sides.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Wonko The Sane]

chain tension easier to adjust when it's on a paddock stand, however I found it easier to check when it was on the ground with someone sat on it.
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[DrSnoosnoo]

If you took a bike for mot with that chain you would at least see an advisory for chain needing adjustment or something along those lines surely?

It'll be a good bike when you're sorted
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[Northern Monkey]

How many miles have you done in 5 weeks? A chain will normally need adjusting every 300-500 miles. If you've done a fair few miles in the last 5 weeks, it could have been adjusted correctly when you bought it, and now youre catching up on the routine maintenance than you have neglegted to carry out.

In the last 5 weeks, I've done about 1000 miles so I've had to clean, lubricate and adjust the chain a few times.
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Fisty: after polishing the tank with the glistenng beads of sweat from my full hot scrotum, I filled the headrace bearings with 10cc of my manmilk

[map]

[staningrimsby]

[staningrimsby]

Oil and filter change all done there was no way judging by the sate of the oil filter that it was changed 5 weeks ago, changed the spark plus whilst I was at it and whilst I was at Honda today bought a can of chain cleaner and chain lube (who would have thought that when cleaned the chain is actually a gold colour).

I managed to use the whole can to clean the chain but it does look nice now so then for the lube, wasn't sure how much to use so I must admit I did use quite a bit.

Not managed to adjust the chain yet I don't want to really do that until I have a Haynes manual showing me how, better to be safe than sorry. then went on to replace the spark plugs which were a good colour but look like they haven't been changed for a while. So its cost me £70 in total today but I feel better knowing that its been done.
____________________
When you have removed the impossible the improbable however unlikely has to be the truth.
1986 Yamaha DT 80 >> 2009 Honda Varadero XL 125 >> 2003 Suzuki V-Strom 1000

[Northern Monkey]