[Gareth]

OK so my bike is now three years old. Received my extended warranty offer, but at 400 quid I popped it in the woodburner.

It is due an MOT and a service. My last Motorrad service cost 167.92 quid for what was basically an oil change. So not too keen on rip off Douglas Park Motorrad servicing.

I’m more than comfortable doing oil changes and brake serving and so on, but not so keen on fork oil changes etc and more involved stuff. I’ve found general ‘backstreet’ motorcycle servicing to be somewhat variable.

Also as my bike is still worth a few bob, a continuing service history might help it hold decent value for a few more years should I decide to offload it.

Does anybody know of a good honest independent motorcycle mechanic who either has experience of or specialises in BMW boxers in central Scotland? I’m in North Ayrshire.

Cheers.

 

[Rannsachair]

Not used them myself, though seem to get good reviews: BMW motorcycle service scotland in Kilwinning.

I have a hex head and will do my own servicing, I am a trail to the nearest garage from Lochgilphead.

 

[Gareth]

Cheers Rannsachair. Not far from me. Appears to be a fella working from home. Not sure if he does more modern water-cooled stuff though.

To be honest. My bike has only covered 6600 miles, and I only did 600 miles last year, so I might not bother at all this year. Just need to get the MOT done.

Plus my general impression of Motorrad UK is that they most likely won’t help out customers who loyally have their bikes serviced by them.

 

[Rannsachair]

He seems to know what he is doing, may be worth just getting an oil and oil filter change for piece of mind. Saying that, I run 6 bikes and service them all irrespective of mileage.

 

[Gareth]

Cheers Rannsachair

I’ll need to have a look at the service schedule and see what needs done after three years.

I’m happy changing the oil and filter, just it seems a bit OTT after only 600 miles. I mean Porsche are now 20,000 miles or 2 years.

Not so keen on doing things like fork oil changes or checking valve clearances. In terms getting these done I take the BMW is much like any bike as far any competent mechanic is concerned? Or are there any particular unique factors in servicing BMW ESA forks?

 

[Panzermann]

The only time critical items are engine oil and brake fluid, regardless of mileage.
I have no idea what in the way of contaminant residue would build up after only 600 miles, but an oil change will look good on your service records if nothing else. Not that expensive.
Brake fluid changes are critical - after one year then every two after that. You are risking brake inefficiency under duress and internal corrosion from absorbed moisture, the latter especially if the bike sits unused for long periods of time. If done properly (i.e. the line is not drained then refilled, but simply flushed through) then no tools or techniques specific to BMW are required.

 

[Gareth]

Cheers Panzermann.

I’ve always cleaned the callipers and bled the brakes every spring on my previous bikes – I’d pump a bit of brake fluid through but never did complete changes. Never really bothered at all with cars unless fitting new discs and/or pads - and then I'd just bleed tham a bit.

Anyway, last year she had an oil and filter change + bevel gear change. If my interpretation of the BMW service schedule is correct, this year all she needs is oil and filter change + brake fluid change – as she’s still a long way off the ‘big’ 12,000 mile service.

Fork oil change seems to be purely distance not time related according to official schedule. I thought there would be a time aspect to that.

I’ll phone Douglas Park Motorrad and see what they quote. It might be worth another official service or two just in case I go mad and decide to trade in. I am, after all, warming to the primer grey look.