Late first service

[3aze]

New member, thanks for having me...I love it here!

So I bought my first ever bike a couple weeks ago, '10 250R SE and I'm absolutely thrilled with it (even with the boring break in riding but that's pretty much done now). I've been having such a good time that I've reached 750 miles and my 600 mile service isn't for 13 more days. I've tried and tried to get it sooner but to no avail. I understand there's metal shavings in my oil and I don't want to grind that around any longer than should be. So should I park it until I get it serviced? Pay for an oil change for 13 days of riding enjoyment? Or should it be fine for a few hundred more miles?

[ricochet08]

I'd definitely get that oil changed out asap. There are DIY's here that are ridiculously easy to follow Did my oil change today @ 461 miles.

[tjkamper]

Do It Yourself! Learn as much as you can about your bike. If you ever need help just ask. Everyone here will be more than willing to help if you ever get stuck.

[bob706]

+1 for the DIY oil change.

[ricochet08]

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10780

even has pictures

[3aze]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I've never been much of a DIYer with motors but yeah I think I can handle changing the oil myself. Will do before I ride it any further. Aside from the oil change, probably okay to ride for a couple weeks?

[adouglas]

yes, you're fine once you've changed the oil. Cancel that service and use the money you would have spent on tools. Buy good stuff, not crap. Buy it once, and it will pay for itself. This is a lifetime investment if you do it right.

Changing oil isn't quite as easy as, say, boiling water or making sure your underwear is on front-side-forwards, but it's not far off.

Drsketch said it pretty well, but left out some key bits. You're going to need to catch that old oil and dispose of it properly. Get an oil drain pan, and a plastic jug with a SCREW-ON lid (I use old laundry detergent bottles). Get a funnel, too. Dispose of the oil by taking it to a quick-lube joint for recycling.

You'll need a 17mm socket and ratchet.

You can re-use the crush washer, but not too many times. I flip it over and re-use it once before changing it.

DON'T overtorque the drain bolt!!!!!! That would ruin your whole afternoon!!!!!

You can guestimate the proper torque, but you might as well just go ahead and buy a decent torque wrench... you're going to need it sooner or later anyway. Spend at least $80 or so.... I have a Sears Digitork that has served me very well for over 20 years, and they still make the same one.

Tips on the torque wrench. Learn how to use it BEFORE you use it for real. (RTFM and try it at low torque on a safe fastener.) We had a guy who thought it would actually break free and spin when the torque was reached, so he kept pulling and pulling and pulling... don't be that guy.

NEVER use a torque wrench to loosen a bolt, or you could destroy the tool.

[Brian250R]

Change it but don't sweat it. You're not going to cause any long term damage if you don't get to it right away.

[Sailariel]

+1 on the torque wrench. You will need it for oil changes and every time you remove a wheel. Do buy the Factory Shop Manual. It gives you the torque spec on almost every bolt on the bike. As Andrew said, stay away from cheap tools. Sears Craftsman tools are still a great value.

[HKr1]

Iam surprised you got 750 miles out of the stock oil, they must be using a different type.
Ours barley made 200 and kept poping out of 2nd. They had some gummy freaking stuff in there

Now worries thou, people make a mountain out of a molehill

[austexjg]

I bought mine with 1500 miles - did an oil change and inquired with previous owner about last oil change (how many miles ago?) - he said it had not been done yet

And this guy hangs with a motorcycle builder...

I have had no ill affects and I have 3394 on the odometer - I switched to synthetic on the first change I did.

[ricochet08]

Originally Posted by Sailariel

+1 on the torque wrench... Sears Craftsman tools are still a great value.

Plus they still gurantee their handtools. Nothing electric unless you purchase a Replacement Plan.

I used to work there, then they closed our location. Now the closest Sears is quite a distance away

[kkim]

Originally Posted by ricochet08

Plus they still gurantee their handtools. Nothing electric unless you purchase a Replacement Plan.

I used to work there, then they closed our location. Now the closest Sears is quite a distance away

I don't believe the torque wrenches are covered by the Craftsman lifetime guarantee like the hand tools, though... correct?

[Brian250R]

Yes, that is correct the last time I inquired.

[3aze]

TONS of great information. Good quality tools, a shop manual, throw used oil over neighbors fence. Got it. But...skip the first service?

Originally Posted by adouglas

yes, you're fine once you've changed the oil. Cancel that service and use the money you would have spent on tools. Buy good stuff, not crap.

I think I know the answer to this one but nobody said NOOOOOO right away so I thought I'd ask.

[ricochet08]

Hmmm...up, you guys are right, the torque wrenches aren't covered. they've got like a year warranty or somethin like that. Kinda miss that place :P

[TenaciousD]

Originally Posted by 3aze

TONS of great information. Good quality tools, a shop manual, throw used oil over neighbors fence. Got it. But...skip the first service?



I think I know the answer to this one but nobody said NOOOOOO right away so I thought I'd ask.

He's not saying skip the first service, he's saying do it yourself and save some money.