My First Service

[Alba]

I am going to do my first service on the TA this weekend and I would appreciate a sense check if I have got all the parts need , so heres my list;

A set front brake pads (rear changed couple of weeks ago)
spark plugs (DPR8EA-9(NGK))
air filter (ideally would like to fit piper-cross)
3.0L of 10W40 oil
1 crush washer (unknown size, any help ???)
1.0L ethylene glycol antifreeze
1 crush washer (unknown size, any help ???)

Cheers for any advice...

[YEN_POWELL]

Tube of copper grease for smearing on your new sparkplugs before screwing them in.

I just buy lots of loose copper washers from a local car shop and there are always plenty that fit the sump plug. They are so cheap you might as well get a variety of sizes.

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Oil filter.
Do you have 4 spark plugs?
Brake fluid?
Feeler gauge for tappets
Vacuum gauge for balancing the carbs afterwards.

Brake pads.... I only change them when completely worn out.
I've seen folks chuck away barely half worn pads away

Teeny weeny fingers for getting in those awkward places.



Oh, and lots of patience!

Phil

[Alba]

Oil filter. -- Got that
Do you have 4 spark plugs? -- will buy the spec I quoted
Brake fluid? -- Will change when I refurb the calipers on next service
Feeler gauge for tappets -- Got them will try gauge the tappets

Vacuum gauge for balancing the carbs afterwards. -- I think out my league but maybe in the future

Brake pads.... I only change them when completely worn out.
I've seen folks chuck away barely half worn pads away -- fair point may leave them till I do the brake fluid.

Teeny weeny fingers for getting in those awkward places. - the wife

Looks like I'm on the right track , cheers piguglyshandydrinker

[Lutin]

A lot of patience will come in handy too.

I don't which sadist designed the Transalp's engine, but they were definitely having a good day - for them that is.

Can anyone tell me how on earth you are supposed to torque the front exhaust tappet lock nut?? I can get a socket onto the nut. But the torque wrench - no way. Managed to do all the others, amazingly enough, so the last one was a case "That'll have to do" with a ring spanner.

Never mind, job mostly done now. Just got to balance the carbs and I can start reassembling the bike. Then change the oil and filter, change the coolant (I convinced it has never been done), lube all the cables and anything else that comes to mind.

Now I realise why the service charges for the Transalp are so high - there's an awful lot of work to do, before you start the work. I you see what I mean......

[Recycler]

I can get a socket onto the nut. But the torque wrench - no way. Managed to do all the others, amazingly enough, so the last one was a case "That'll have to do" with a ring spanner.

....

Likewise, so I use a ring spanner on all of them. I also take the feeler guage apart and just use the required blade, bending it to about 70deg.

Alba - if you are doing the tappets there's no need to drain the coolant (unless that's part of your service). Unbolt the right rad from the frame and swing it out the way. Removing the emmissions pipework on the 650 helps a lot - I found taking a digi-foto of it beforehand helped in relocating all the pipes.

Good luck with the service - that cash saved is better in your pocket than a dealer's!

[Sharribee]

I found servicing Twinkletoes a piece of wee wee.

Don't know what your all whining about patience for there's nothing too it.














That's why I married a mechanic, that way he can do the swearing and needs the teeny weeny fingers

[Lutin]

Sharribee, I hope that you are very nice to your husband. After all he now has two of your bikes to keep in tip-top condition, never mind his own.

He must have the patience of a saint.

[Sharribee]

Sharribee, I hope that you are very nice to your husband. After all he now has two of your bikes to keep in tip-top condition, never mind his own.

He must have the patience of a saint.

He married me didn't he, that's testiment enough to his patience

Bless his little cotton socks

[Lutin]

He married me didn't he, that's testiment enough to his patience

Bless his little cotton socks

There's nowt I can say to that, is there???