Interested in advice here. Thinking of a 15+ year old motorbike. 15 year old means the tech isnt too advanced, 1 of my motorbike's has carbs so slightly old school (Bandit 600).
On my motorbikes I change the oil & filter regularly, check fluids, clean calipers and generally ensure it's running well. My thought is that if the engine is sounding smooth, bike is running and stopping well, no leaks then a garage service isn't worthwhile. The MOT theoretically checks for roadworthyness, so unless a 'problem' appears, I don't get a garage service. And as the bikes are 15+ years old, they're not too sophisticated to be stuck as to what to do/look for.
And then you get a recommended e.g. 15K mile service which is v expensive, but unsure as to what it might do? So Am I daft or with older bikes/cars, is this a sensible approach? And can the same approach apply equally to cars as motorbikes?
Cheers
Surely it's better just to keep it running well? What's the service, valve clearances and stuff like that or something bigger?
OH does the basic stuff on our car (current one's a 2007 Galaxy) - brakes, oil & filters, that sort of thing- and anything non-terminal or that needs to be fixed (that he can't do or [u]will[/u] be a PITA) is done by a local indie. He does all his own motorbike stuff (CB500, can be fixed with a range of hammers and silicone sealant apparently.)
If your keeping on top of the car then yes i wouldnt send to the garage
how ever with teh caveat that i do my own timing belts etc.
not doing timing belts is a false economy unless your cars a real binner adn your happy to lock the door and walk away WHEN it lets go.
I would always service it but i wouldnt always pay a man.
Yes, unless it's a binner, service it.
You won't notice how bad things have got until you sort them, I find. The engine might be relatively simple but if that's the case, you should be able to service it yourself.
It might just be air filters etc. but probably valve clearances and things on a bike like that. Everything on a bike can be reasonably done at home (removing the engine is a bit easier) but it might not be worth your time and the tools you'll need if you only do it once.
I don't get the garage to do servicing on my car - do them myself. Anything needing ramps/big tools, then they get it - suspension etc. Servicing, just regularly change oils and look after it.
I've got two motorbikes. One is nearly 37 years old, the other young one is nearly 19. 😊 I think naturally if you run vehicles that old you're going to tend to have the ability to do stuff like that yourself.
I'd always do it myself unless I couldn't figure something out.
I took my 1982 bike to a garage when I first got it as it had running issues. The bloke really wasn't keen to look at it. I think he preferred modern bikes. 😐
I run a 14 yr old Jag XJ6, which I bought as a low mileage 12yr old. Paid ££3.5k for it.
I use an independent Jag specialist for an annual service & MOT to keep it sweet. Costs about £500 per yr.
Seems like a reasonable price to pay vs collosal depreciation on a newer car.
Depends if the vehicle is old enough that you can actually service it at home without a computer.
My motorcycles are all serviceable in my garage, might has some issues with one of them as its injected, but the ones are on carbs - sure, I do them. Checking valves, changing fluids etc. All easy and enjoyable work.
But if you dont think its easy or enjoyable, pay someone to do it. If you dont you will find the repair bills a bit much when it goes wrong.
I paid someone to service my Ford Transit van once as year for 14 years, it did 300,000 with only wear and tear. Each time it was serviced in say the last 8 years, small things were attended to or replaced. An amature who only wanted to do fluids and a filter would not necessarily have spotted or dont those bit.