Older Bike Maintenance

[stlouisaaron]

I was looking through the maintenance schedule in my manual, and see that there are several items that are due for replacement - as my bike has 25,000 miles on it. I don't know what the PO did or didn't do - and am not sure I trust him anyway. I called the local Honda dealer, and he said they only work on bikes 20 years old or newer - so my '83 they said they wouldn't work on. How do those of you with older bikes handle things like clutch fluid replacement, brake fluid replacement... diy job or a bike shop?

[gooch73]

Do it yourself. Manuals on this site can help.

[93gc40]

As with any used vehicle assume the PO did NO maintenance, and do what should have been done.

[93gc40]

Only time my bike goes to any shop is if I screw it up so bad I can't fix it anymore or need machine work. OR if something needs to be done and I can't do it because of time issues. Like if I break-down on the road and don't have access to the tools needed for a repair. Even then I'd be more likely to go rent a U-Haul and work on it myself. I do have shops mount my tires, but I take the WHEELs in for that.

[orlenz]

my bike NEVER goes to the shop, I only go there if I need part I can't get anywhere else

[landon]

Yes, as was previously said "Do it yourself", changing fluids on a 83 is easy and you will save yourself a ton of money in shop "Labor" fees.

Here is what your bike needs for fluids:

Clutch and Brakes = DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid.
Engine/Tranny = 10w40 (I personally use Shell Rotella T 10w40).
Rear end oil = Hypoid 80w90
Blinker fluid = 6oz. can of "Blinkus Maximus" (Autozone) (just kidding) : )
Radiator = Silicate free anti-freeze, I usually just buy what the Honda dealer sells but anything safe for aluminum engines would probably be ok.

And for the rear wheel gear splines (where the wheel connects to the motorcycle) it needs "moly" grease, which is resistant to water contamination and can withstand extreme pressure, I use this stuff from Autozone: Coastal/1 lb. (453.592 g.) industrial moly extreme pressure grease (52353) | Lubricant/Grease | AutoZone.com

[DaveCarlson]

Blinker fluid = 6oz. can of "Blinkus Maximus" (Autozone) (just kidding) : )
Don't forget to lube the muffler bearings

[Kathy M]

Originally Posted by DaveCarlson

Blinker fluid = 6oz. can of "Blinkus Maximus" (Autozone) (just kidding) : )
Don't forget to lube the muffler bearings

LOL! When I replaced the turn signals on my bike, they did indeed contain "blinker fluid!!" It was the hi-performance kind, thick and rust colored.

And the more I investigate the new squeak in my Geo Tracker, the more I'm leaning toward it actually being muffler bearing dryness! Go figure, hehehe Sure can't be shocks or struts, those are pretty new along with wheel bearings. Just happens randomly over bumps. At this point, muffler bearings may well be a possibility! *grin* Who knows what Suzuki put into those little 4x4s to mess with our heads

["Captain D"]

I do my own work too, I even mount my tires...
Bring it over and I`ll show you what I know...
Just helping,
Dennis

[stlouisaaron]

I wish I could drop by. It would be great if there were bike mechanics / riders in the st louis area that really were that accessible.