Things to do when buying a new bike...

[veeeffarr]

What do you guys do mechanically to a bike when you first buy it privately?

At the moment I'm thinking

Change oil
Change brake fluid
New plugs
Clean air filter

Anything else I could have in mind? The bike in question is a '95 GS500E.

PS: The rear tyre is a BT45, the front one a Dunlop? Is this a problem or should I just leave it as is?

Ta

Toby

[mr.z]

Isn't it a paper filter? (if it i then needs replaceing really if it needs it)

Fork oil change is worth doing too, and coolant change (allthough you can skip that one )

If your feeling really fruity tappets, and then carb ballance (just so you know how long it'll be till it needs it)

Headstock bearings check/tighten

Rear wheel allignment (chain adjuster buisness)

If the bike handles fine then its not a problem, changing them would be a waste of money unless there knackered anyway (or has been stood a year unused or something)
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[veeeffarr]

Fork seals were done recently.

Bike has done about 500ish miles in 2 years

Tyres are new though, with the front dunlop being newer than the BT45

[Ichy]

Don't worry about the tyres until its time to change them, unless they have unusual wear or damage or your feeling unsure about them. Its all down to the bike giving you confidence.

Tyre pressure
Chain
steering
pads
swingarm play.
bulbs
make sure theres a spare fuse in the fuse box.

I realise it has an MOT but its really worth going over it all. Gives me a bit of confidence knowing that I've touched virtually all the nuts and bolts. Guess I'm just a bit paranoid after finding one bike I brought only had the bottom yolk bolts tightened, the top ones had been fitted but were only hanging in by a couple of threads.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[colin1]

id only replace what has worn out, but i guess putting all new consumables in does sort of stamp your mark on it and its reassuring that nothing needs doing for a bit
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[veeeffarr]

I wonder what a full service will include and how much it will be, I'd happily pay for peace of mind if it wasn't too much.

[cagiva gezzer]

Decent pads and a brake check.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[iCraig]

Toby, what Dunplop is it?

If its an Arrowmax, replace it as soon as humanly possible!

As for a service would cost around £150, but it'd be fairly easy to attempt yourself on a GS500E, with only 4 valves and everything else pretty simple it'd be easy to do yourself. I'd even give you a hand if you wanted!

[veeeffarr]