24K service question

[Capone998]

I know alot of people go beyond the recommended mileage for these major services. But, seriously, how far beyond the rec. mileage can you go without risking real damage(I'm due for belt swap)? Typically I'm very particular about these things but I don't have 1K for the service at the moment(everything else is breaking right now)? Thanks for the input. Oh, 2002 998. The belts were last changed almost exactly 3 years/12,000 miles ago, and the 18,000 mile service(valves) was done exactly on time.I'm at 24,134 miles now.

[PSk]

Just do the belts youself ... maybe?

Pete

[Capone998]

Originally Posted by PSk

Just do the belts youself ... maybe?

Pete

Unfortunately that is way beyond my talent or knowledge level.

[acruhl]

Being brutal here: If you can't afford or can't do the service, you really shouldn't own these bikes...

At the very least you should:

o Change the belts (really, you should)

And you really should do this other stuff:

o Check/adjust the valves (requires valve cover seals to do it right)
o Check/change the brake pads, clean the calipers
o Check the wheel bearings
o Check the steering head bearings
o Check/change the chain and sprockets
o Check/clean the air filters
o Change the fuel filter (which requires a new o-ring for the pump)
o Check/change the clutch plates, possibly the clutch basket as well

You're probably due for fork oil, but as long as the thing isn't pogoing everywhere you can deal with it.

I'm not really a huge fan of this "checking off the service book" stuff, it's wasteful. If something is OK, it's OK and you don't have to do it.

When I bought my 998 last year, I put nearly $1000 in parts into it right off the bat. But I love this bike dearly so it's totally worth it.

If you can drag it to Tucson I could help you out with labor. I also wouldn't be averse to buying another 998, as long as it's a red biposto, and it's the right price.

[Capone998]

Originally Posted by acruhl

Being brutal here: If you can't afford or can't do the service, you really shouldn't own these bikes...

At the very least you should:

o Change the belts (really, you should)

And you really should do this other stuff:

o Check/adjust the valves (requires valve cover seals to do it right)
o Check/change the brake pads, clean the calipers
o Check the wheel bearings
o Check the steering head bearings
o Check/change the chain and sprockets
o Check/clean the air filters
o Change the fuel filter (which requires a new o-ring for the pump)
o Check/change the clutch plates, possibly the clutch basket as well

You're probably due for fork oil, but as long as the thing isn't pogoing everywhere you can deal with it.

I'm not really a huge fan of this "checking off the service book" stuff, it's wasteful. If something is OK, it's OK and you don't have to do it.

When I bought my 998 last year, I put nearly $1000 in parts into it right off the bat. But I love this bike dearly so it's totally worth it.

If you can drag it to Tucson I could help you out with labor. I also wouldn't be averse to buying another 998, as long as it's a red biposto, and it's the right price.

I understand what you're saying. I've had the bike since brand new(6 years), and ALWAYS done EVERYTHING early. Just within the last month everything in the house and on my truck is breaking at the same time. Clutch is good, though getting a bit up there. Do need to check the bearings too though-how long do they typically last? Chain/sprockets recently done. Man, if I was closer to Tuscon(I'm in So Cal) I'd definitely take you up on that offer. I appreciate it. Also, it is a red biposto and I got the last one in California in 2003 when I got it-I called EVERY dealer in the state . I'm with you and could never get rid of it. I love it.

[acruhl]

Originally Posted by Capone998

I understand what you're saying. I've had the bike since brand new(6 years), and ALWAYS done EVERYTHING early. Just within the last month everything in the house and on my truck is breaking at the same time. Clutch is good, though getting a bit up there. Do need to check the bearings too though-how long do they typically last? Chain/sprockets recently done. Man, if I was closer to Tuscon(I'm in So Cal) I'd definitely take you up on that offer. I appreciate it. Also, it is a red biposto and I got the last one in California in 2003 when I got it-I called EVERY dealer in the state . I'm with you and could never get rid of it. I love it.

Put the bike up on stands, take off the calipers and hold them out of the way (wire works good, hang them from the handlebars with wire) and roll the front wheel with your hand. Pull it back and forth to see if there is any play. You shouldn't be able to hear anything or feel any roughness while it's rolling. The speedo cable might interfere though...

The rear is harder. I would take the chain off and roll the wheel, and feel for the same thing. It's not a bad idea to take the wheel off and yank around on the hub to feel for roughness and play (again, while the chain is off).

The steering head bearings are more difficult. Ideally you suspend the front of the bike without touching anything to do with the steering (not that easy), take off the steering damper and turn the bars back and forth feeling for roughness. Also grab the bottom of the forks and push and pull and feel for play (you might feel some play in the fork tubes against the bushings inside the forks though). The poor man's way to feel for play is while sitting on it, turn the wheel all the way to the side, hold the front brake on, and shove your finger between the triple clamp and the frame right near the steering head. Then rock the bike back and forth. You might feel some sort of clicking in the bike, this is the floating discs. You really want to feel for play with your finger. You shouldn't feel anything like the triple clamp moving independent of the frame.

Checking the clutch is really, really easy. Take off the right side bodywork, then remove the clutch cover (be careful of the rubber gasket if it's still in there). If you can spin the center hub back and forth a bit, and notice that the teeth on the clutch plates where they hit the basket are really gouged, you need new plates, and possibly a basket. If you do this, take pics or a small movie and one of us can tell you what's up.

I'd trade you my yellow mono for a red biposto... You have quite a few more miles though. I got mine for a total steal too.

[acruhl]

Oh yeah, if you have a cool dealer you can probably save yourself some money by doing the easy stuff yourself, and telling him you already did it/checked it. Cleaning the air filters for instance, that's not overly difficult.