600 Mile Service Question

Clickjack · December 01, 2008, 09:58:24 AM

I'm having some warranty work done on my bike. It's at 570 miles. The Sales guy who took my bike in had me fill out some paperwork, asked if I wanted them to do the 600 Mile service. I said no that I could handle all of that myself. He get's all stern with me and tells me: "I know there are manuals and a lot of crap on the internet about how to do this yourself but the belts have to be harmonically balanced, you have to remove all of the belt covers and you can't get it right unless you have the proper tool to measure the harmonics" Anyone heard of this Harmonically balancing crap? According to a different (and considerably cheaper service department) a 600 mile service is just "change oil and filter, check brake and clutch fluid, brake pads. Adjust and lube chain and test ride." All stuff I can handle.

I guess I should add, that I trust this dealership. They are well thought of and do good work. I just can't afford to use them as they are very high compared to other dealerships in the area. And I didn't think that checking the timing/cam belts was part of the 600 mile service.

ducpainter · December 01, 2008, 10:09:47 AM

It's not exactly harmonically balanced, but they do adjust belts now with a tool that measures the resonance of the belts.

Pretty sure there is info on here how you can do that with a computer and a mic.

I'm not sure, but is belt adjustment recommended on a 600 mile check?

Clickjack · December 01, 2008, 11:00:25 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on December 01, 2008, 10:09:47 AM
is belt adjustment recommended on a 600 mile check?

That's what I'm trying to figure out. If it is... ok, I'll bite the bullet and pay them 300 bucks for service and put off my termi's for a while. If not. Then, I don't wanna pay for something I don't need.

duclvr · December 01, 2008, 11:18:22 AM

Quote from: Clickjack on December 01, 2008, 11:00:25 AM
That's what I'm trying to figure out. If it is... ok, I'll bite the bullet and pay them 300 bucks for service and put off my termi's for a while. If not. Then, I don't wanna pay for something I don't need.

Ouch, $300 sounds high.

I just had my 696 600 mile service done. $165.00.

Ducnial · December 01, 2008, 04:21:22 PM

Most dealers are pretty staunch about the 600mi service because they're on the hook for the 2 year unlimited mile warranty. Have'em do only what is required using special tools. I can only think of the belts that require that. Normal service rate are $100 to $150/hr and I cant imagine it taking more than an hour to check the belt tension. Do the oil change, chain tension and bolt torques (the ones marked with a yellow paint) before you take it in so they can verify you did it. That ought to make them happy and keep expenses to a minimum. Personally I would not do the belt tensions myself, they are pretty finicky and the cost of a skipped tooth or shredded belt breaking is just too much (read crapped engine at your expense). While you're at it check the oil screen too, chances are you'll find a few "clippings" in it. these are thin steel shards that look like small finger nail clippings. They're from the trans square cut gears and come from the "clunk" you sometimes get during a poorly executed down shift.

lilmonster · December 01, 2008, 06:55:10 PM

You're not taking it to AMS Dallas are you? That is where I bought my bike. 600 miles service was $317 They didn't do anything but change the oil that I could tell. Chain was not lubed or adjusted. They may have "looked" at other stuff but they didn't actually do much. Wait until the 7500 mile service, that's when they will hit you with a big bill ($1017). If you can't really afford it, sell it now or learn how to work on it yourself. This is the problem I am facing now. I love the bike, but the service costs are breaking me.

Slide Panda · December 01, 2008, 07:07:24 PM

Quote from: ducpainter on December 01, 2008, 10:09:47 AM
I'm not sure, but is belt adjustment recommended on a 600 mile check?

it's on the 'check' table. Hopefully they would not need adjustment. There's a lot of stuff on the 'check' list for that 1st service.

He Man · December 01, 2008, 07:38:49 PM

Ive had 2 dealers tell me that the 600 mile is "required to maintain warranty". It must be documented somewhere "in case". the rest of them can be done by yourself.

its probably BS, but i wouldnt doubt that ducati has turned down someone becaue it wasnt properly checked for the 600 since it is important to look over everything after that many miles. I think its mostly to make sure the bike is good to go more than anything else. aka, nothing came loose cause it wasnt put together properly right? the bike is still in one piece? engine isnt grinding of too much metal into the oil? okay it looks good kinda thing.

Raux · December 02, 2008, 08:35:34 AM

I think any dealer that is charging more than 200 for the 600 service is ripping people off. there is a thread here about the cost of the 600 service somewhere. most are below 200 i think.

I bought my bike from AMS as well. Would i get it serviced there? hmm maybe the alvaredo store after visiting and checking it out, but the Dallas store, nope. they left a bad taste in my mouth from the sale.

I went to the OKC store for my service. and yes i do believe in getting at least the first and major services from the dealers. Shadowchaser used to be on here, he's a tech and he can tell you more.

lilmonster · December 02, 2008, 04:52:12 PM

They actually took the bike to Alvaredo to do the work after I dropped it off at Dallas. I'm sure that I got charged 2 - 3 hours labor for that. On top of that, my bike came back with a scratched tank and frame, paint on one of my bar end mirrors was screwed up.

Raux · December 03, 2008, 04:48:10 AM

Quote from: lilmonster on December 02, 2008, 04:52:12 PM
They actually took the bike to Alvaredo to do the work after I dropped it off at Dallas. I'm sure that I got charged 2 - 3 hours labor for that. On top of that, my bike came back with a scratched tank and frame, paint on one of my bar end mirrors was screwed up.

yeah i remember you posting about that. that's sh*t. well i'm in germany now so no worries there. german's are meticulous about their bikes.

Clickjack · December 04, 2008, 03:24:16 PM

Quote from: lilmonster on December 02, 2008, 04:52:12 PM
They actually took the bike to Alvaredo to do the work after I dropped it off at Dallas. I'm sure that I got charged 2 - 3 hours labor for that. On top of that, my bike came back with a scratched tank and frame, paint on one of my bar end mirrors was screwed up.

What did they do to make this right?

lilmonster · December 04, 2008, 05:06:54 PM

I emailed Scott about after getting home. I didn't notice it until I was halfway home (70 miles). He wanted to see the damage to see if it could buff out. I already have stuff to do that so I did it myself. The mirror was a cheap bar end, it was silver when I bought it (all they had). I painted them black. I stripped the paint since I had to start over, I decided to polish them this time and like it better that way. I don't know what they would have done, but I know they wouldn't replace or repaint the tank to make it right in my eyes. I got a free gallon of Motul 300v. That cost around $70. I like everyone over there, they just charge crazy high prices. I paid $17 each for freakin' spark plugs for God's sake.

Clickjack · December 05, 2008, 12:56:07 PM

So maybe I'm dense, but I don't think I got a clear answer. Is the Belts being "harmonically" balanced apart of the 600 mile service or not?

mystang · December 05, 2008, 01:21:34 PM

This may be a dumb question, but why is their this 600 mile service in the motorcycle world. I have never taken a car in to the dealership for a 600 mile service. Well i also do all my work my self anyway but you know what I am getting at.

News:

600 Mile Service Question

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Raux