TA700 first service again

[Tigerjohn]

Me "Can I book my TA in for it's first (600mile) service please?"
Dealer "Yes, fine, it'll cost £129.95"
Me "Christ! So can you confirm what's included?"
Dealer "Oil + filter change, fluids, general checks and VAT"
Me "What about valve clearances like it says in the book?"
Dealer, after checking, "No, we check clearances at 8000miles"
Me, feeling fleeced, "So it's a glorified oil change then and a quick repeat of the pre-delivery checks - just in case you missed something last time?"
Dealer "You'll need it for the warranty to be valid"

Me to you guys "Should I say stuff the dealer 'service' and carry out my own oil + filter change + general checks, noting the details and assuming the law will still require Honda to uphold any warranty claim (unlikely anyway for such a reliable bike)?"

What would you do?

[the_earlobe_of_doom]

I always thought the 600 mile service was free, at least it was on mine. And on the DV700 I had before and the CBF600 I had before that. What sort of dealer is this.
You'll need the warrenty at 8000 miles when the potholes and speed humps have knackered the head bearings

[Plasnart]

The valve clearances should be done, it's pretty important. Ask them for a price with that done and see what it is.

[stephen McG]

before you do anything
check service book
if it says 1st free service then you have old stock of books and it must be given free (except oil/filter etc) around £40

have a look
SMcG

[stephen McG]

I am also not sure about valve clearances 'being important' at 600 mile service
I have never had them dne on any of my previous new bikes (5 in total)
the service was done while you wait - under 1 hour (max)
it only seems to have reared it's head now that dealers can charge for service

[Plasnart]

Not many bikes do have a valve check at first service, you're right. The DV and TA are rare in that they do, which kind of implies that it's needed don't you think?

[deskjetian]

I suggest you find another dealer who knows what he's taking about.
The owner's manual is quite clear about what's needed so he would be putting your warranty at risk by not doing it.

[Grey alp]

I had my first service about a year ago. You can find it here somewhere.
Comes to this ,i also had doubts about the need for valvecheck&setting on 600mile/1000km. Dealer told me then that i was free to refuse this check (and many do so) but that it would be stated on paper ,in case for troubles later on and the warrenty on this.
So did let them check the valves (there where fine at that point) and its not cheap because of the labour for taking your bike apart.
Payed something like 230€ in total.
But i must say that my TA 700 is very economical and i'am sure that the correckt valvesposition contribute to that.
Had my 12.000km/8000mile service last weekend ,again with valvechecking and setting this time and payed 256€ in total.

[StumpyFingers]

Make sure that if it is in the schedule to be done then it is.
Just because it now costs DO NOT skip it.
The cost of a broken bike is a lot more, even if it is under warranty, having no bike or an old hack from the shop while your pride and joy are being rebuilt, repaired, is not why you bought the new bike in the first place.

[Grey alp]

Its clearly stated in the manual.
At 600mile/1000km and 8000mile/12000km and every 8000mile/12000km further on ,check valveclearences!.
At least mine says so ,i presume that this is international.