800a 500 mile service....

[TBVulcan]

Anybody have a ballpark figure on what the 500 mile service would cost on the 800a? I have no idea and would be interested in hearing some ideas before I contact my dealer. Thanks!

[yammahoppy]

I just had mine done and it was $280. I think I got screwed. They did the standard 500 mile check. No extras. 3.5 hours labor at $71/hour = $248 just in labor. I guess you live and learn. The cashier did remove $20 for parts they added.

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by TBVulcan

Anybody have a ballpark figure on what the 500 mile service would cost on the 800a? I have no idea and would be interested in hearing some ideas before I contact my dealer. Thanks!

Just change the oil, filter, check the oil screen, check all nuts and bolts and chain tension. That's all they do. Do it yourself and save the bucks.

[woodchucks800]

Sorry to tell you guys ,but you got hosed ! A $200 or $300 oil change an bolts checked . Listen to Blue there isn't a thing the dealer is going to do at any service check that you can't do yourself except the valve adjustment every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, An that better not cost more than $150 or your getting hosed on that too. These 800 are bullet proof an they just don't need much in the way of maintance. OH they might check the air in the tires also.

[bbmoose]

my wifes 05 800 vulcan just got service on thursday.
Her bill came to 228.00
that included the 500 mile service and an oil change.
They also adjusted her rear brakes.
SHe loves it all over again like the day she bought it.
The crazy thing is it was running super hot all the time and now its fine.
Service manager who we are friends with told us the front mechanical lifters were tight and the rear lifters were fine.
Well worth the money imo. We pay alot of money for new bikes then wonder if it is wrong to spend a few hundred dollars for maitenance.As far as i am thinking is its best to let them do the 500 mile service but from now on i will change our oils and filter and return to the dealer for then next big service.
Besides i might mess something up like adjusting the lifts and then blowup the motor or even worse miss or do something wrong that might lead to an accident.

[TBVulcan]

Thanks for the info. I was guessing in the $250 range. I figured the service was pretty basic but wasn't sure. Sounds like something that can be handled at home. Being that this is my first new bike and my first break in period, I am concerned I may miss something important. Also wondering if not having a dealer do the initial service, if it may effect future warranty work. I have 250 miles on it but this weekend is supposed to be nice so I would like to be ready for service by Monday!
Maybe I'll attempt this myself if the warranty issue is not an issue....I'd like to much of the work (mods) myself, just need the confidence I guess.

bbmoose makes a good point though...hmmm

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by TBVulcan

Thanks for the info. I was guessing in the $250 range. I figured the service was pretty basic but wasn't sure. Sounds like something that can be handled at home. Being that this is my first new bike and my first break in period, I am concerned I may miss something important. Also wondering if not having a dealer do the initial service, if it may effect future warranty work. I have 250 miles on it but this weekend is supposed to be nice so I would like to be ready for service by Monday!
Maybe I'll attempt this myself if the warranty issue is not an issue....I'd like to much of the work (mods) myself, just need the confidence I guess.

bbmoose makes a good point though...hmmm

These 800's are bullet proof so I wouldn't worry to much about warranty work(haven't heard of anyone ever needing any. not mechanical anyway).Some of the dealers do the valve adjustment at 500 an some of them don't. I'll do my next one myself an take some pics in the process so a few of the other 800 rider's can judge for themselfs weather on not to try this maintance on there own outside of that the rest of the maintance on the 800 is a piece of cake.

[2WheelFun]

I agree...save your $$$ people and do the work yourself. You'll know more about your bike and save some big bucks in the process!

[NYcruiser]

Im usually a "whench it yourself" person.. but the 1st service is always done by the dealer here.. After that, the main reason is time, few bucks - OK, keep my hands clean.. But the running around associated with drop off and pick up.. not for me..

[yammahoppy]

The main reason the dealer did mine was for the valve adjustment. I didnt follow the break in speeds exactly . I have already saved money by installing all my mods myself and will do the oil changes also. I just wasnt real comfortable diging into the motor to adjust the valves. I need to get one of them maintenance manuals.

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by yammahoppy

The main reason the dealer did mine was for the valve adjustment. I didnt follow the break in speeds exactly . I have already saved money by installing all my mods myself and will do the oil changes also. I just wasnt real comfortable diging into the motor to adjust the valves. I need to get one of them maintenance manuals.

The only problem I see with doing the valve adjustment myself is , Living up here in Po dunk Montana I wouldn't want to have the valve covers off check the clearance an need a different size shim or two ,only to find out the dealer will have to order them. That would be a pain in the a*ss waiting for them with the top of the motor open. But what the he*ll I'll do it anyway an let you all know how it goes . I guess I'd rather have the bike sitting in my garage waiting for a part than to have it sitting around the dealers waiting.

[bjones]

I agree save the money and buy a nice mod. I paid to have mine done then when I changed the oil filter at 1000 miles I realized they didn't even change the oil filter. As holes... Never go backj there again...

[TBVulcan]

Yeah, I could definetley put the cash elsewhere. Lets see here:

Corbin Gun Fighter seat
Hard Krome 2.5" American Straights
Arlen Ness mirrors
ISO Grips
ISO Pegs or Forward Controls (too darned expensive though)
The list could go on, but man, I have to really think, how much money do I want to sink into a 5k bike?!
I also want to debage it and have metalic silver flames sprayed over the factory Candy Thunder Blue paint. Or go with ghost flames in a silver hue.

[bluestringer]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

The only problem I see with doing the valve adjustment myself is , Living up here in Po dunk Montana I wouldn't want to have the valve covers off check the clearance an need a different size shim or two ,only to find out the dealer will have to order them. That would be a pain in the a*ss waiting for them with the top of the motor open. But what the he*ll I'll do it anyway an let you all know how it goes . I guess I'd rather have the bike sitting in my garage waiting for a part than to have it sitting around the dealers waiting.

I'm planning on doing my own also. First I have to get a manual. And I'm waiting till about 12000 miles, as long as I can still hear them rattling, I'm fine.