|
|
Post by SylvreKat on Apr 30, 2013 21:53:53 GMT -5
What's the gang's thoughts here?
My oil hasn't been changed in probably (read as "at least") two years. Of course, my scoot hadn't gone at all the first of those years, and not a lot last year.
I gave my shop manual to my Harley friend, who's looking at it to see if he feels he can do the oil change (and possibly other things?) for me. But he's already warned me he won't do anything 'til it's warmer out. Meaning who knows when that'll happen since we keep going from a couple days of late spring straight back into winter again.
Here's my question. Will it be okay to ride my scooter before getting the oil (and maybe whatever else) done? Or do I really need to wait 'til after he (or whoever) does whatever it is that needs doing and the oil change? (remember, non-mech here)
Secondary question probably should be, if my friend feels he can do the oil change, should I go ahead and have the shop do it this time anyways? For about $100 they not only change the oil and filter (except I thought my filter was a little glass jar?), they go over 30 points front to back tires.
Thanks for the advice, guys!
>'Kat
|
|
Freshman Rider
Currently Offline
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Joined: Apr 12, 2013 3:32:58 GMT -5
|
Post by superscootsuperman on Apr 30, 2013 22:11:08 GMT -5
$100 sounds like a fortune for us drain / refill types. even with the air filter. the "inspection?" again if it needs nothing and is running good i like to keep that money for the dealer for things that are beyond my knowledge / time. but if an oil change is beyond YOUR skills, well, it may be worth it to you anyway is your drain plug easy to get to? and air filter? if so i would DIY and if you want to spend $100 on your scoot get something done specifically for $100 or so. a valve adjustment? new tire? how about a belt or rollers or brakes? something fun, something new? its your choice for instance i had a rear tire changed recently for $  , tire included. i would not do that job, and its far more work and much less frequent then a $100 oil change  so far as "ok to ride" beforehand? idk you would have to be the judge but i don't think it would hurt. the oil is older but not well used, so i think its ok |
|
|
|
Post by scootnwinn on Apr 30, 2013 22:46:34 GMT -5
You really need to get that corrosive cocktail of nastiness out of that fine Italian machine in a hurry. No bike should sit that much it makes them cry. In fact I can hear the poor thing crying all the way over here. Seriously drain the oil ASAP and give her some love. Oil changes are every X000 miles (check your manual) or 3 months whatever comes first. If you can't/won't do the oil change get it to the shop. I personally wouldn't let an inexperienced (at least with scooters) mechanic touch my bike. Look for an independent scooter shop if the $100 is too steap. Some metro areas even have reasonable mobile scooter mechanics. Or pay me $100 to ride up there and do it for you. You will of course have to let me "test" ride it... Alternatively I know with certainty that you are a smart chick and I am 100% sure I can walk you through a basic oil change over the phone... Its not mechanics its maintenance there's a reason they used to call em grease monkeys its not rocket science
|
|
|
|
Post by skuttadawg on May 1, 2013 1:53:31 GMT -5
100 is a rip off . My dealer charges 25 for oil and gear lube change . Its easy to do and most use 750mls or around 34 of a quart of oil . I have and many others as well use Shell Rotella 15w40 but any brand name 10w40 is fine Here is a very handy shop manual you can view or download and save for later viewing www.chinesescooterreference.com/pdf/dawgscootermanual.pdf will need Adobe Acrobat reader www.adobe.com look on bottom right to download it |
|
|
|
Post by skuttadawg on May 1, 2013 1:53:59 GMT -5
Had server error 500 as to why I had two posts
|
|
|
|
Post by scootnwinn on May 1, 2013 2:05:39 GMT -5
That's a Piaggio not a gy6 it uses a $10 filter and the dealer shop rate is likely near $100 an hour. They will do more than the oil I.e. Lube all pivots, check/top off all fluids, adjust all controls, might even get a wash certainly $100 service and since she doesn't know what she's looking for and the Harley dude is just going to spin three screws in and out. The dealer service for Kat might be worth it...
|
|
|
|
Post by scootnwinn on May 1, 2013 2:06:31 GMT -5
Had server error 500 as to why I had two posts there is a delete button... |
|
|
|
Post by rockynv on May 1, 2013 5:14:16 GMT -5
The OEM oil filter can be $20 dollars as it is a compact filter that is designed for synthetic oil. The Air Filter element is also a $20 item if they don't wash and re-oil it however washing an re-oiling the air filter takes time so you could break even with labor costs being what they are. Piaggio specifies a 4T motorcycle oil since their engines are dry sump which can also come to close to $20 a quart. An oil change also includes the gear lube which then adds another $10 to the cost for the synthetic lube specified for the job. You also have a few seals that will need to be replaced with new so since supplies can come to between $50 and $70 then $100 is really not that bad a deal especially when it is done every 6,000 miles on the newer Piaggio bikes.
Even with synthetic the oil should be changed annually regardless of mileage as it will start to become corrosive.
Note that after 2 years the brake fluid must be flushed out and replaced with fresh as should the coolant otherwise they can become a corrosive stew that can do a lot of damage that is quite costly to repair.
|
|
|
|
Post by SylvreKat on May 1, 2013 17:31:50 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I knew you'd advise! super--$100 sounds like a fortune to this non-drain/refill type. As for where the drain plug is, uh, dunno? scootn--in my defense the first year when he sat was 'cause I slid out at very low speed in the roundabout. And I realised having a recent workman's comp case going on, I probably shouldn't be riding a scooter ("Gee, you say your knee is still messed up, so why are you riding that thing? Are you sure riding that thing isn't what's making your knee continue to be messed up?"). And it's not just Peej you hear crying, it's me too. I want to ride! I did laugh though when you said you wouldn't trust an inexperienced mech but then you'll trust me with your phone help. I think I'd trust Dan before me, ha! He has changed his Harley's oil, and replaced the cables, and done other things that I can't tell you now what they were. So it's not like he isn't good with his Harley. And I did give him my Piaggio shop manual for my BV. Otherwise there's a bike shop a mile up the street, but again they haven't worked on scooters (they customise motorcycles, as well as tune them). skutta--thanks for the link, but another friend bought me the official Piaggio shop manual. Which I looked at and didn't understand much of. Has neat drawings though. I liked those.  scootn' again--so, the little glass jar isn't the oil filter? What's it, then? It's down by my left footboard, sometimes has a little oil in it sometimes doesn't. rocky--sounds like from your post that I really should take him to ScooterWorld this time instead of having Dan ("Harley Dude"--oh, he'll get a kick from that!) do it. 'Cause you make it sound like I should be getting lots more done than just the oil and whatever is involved in the 30 points. Although Dan's pretty smart and he has my manual.... Seriously, I don't think my brake fluid or coolant has been replaced since I got him in 2007. Unless Van Wall did it when I had them do my last oil change?  I'm sorry to be so blonde. See, this is why my Harley friend told me to not buy Chinese but get Italian or Japanese. And why my big brother had me buy a Mac. And why we owned a John Deere before we moved to lawn-maintained. (see a pattern yet? ;D ) But any of you need artsy-advice, and I can be all over that for you, oh yes I can! >'Kat |
|
, tire included. i would not do that job, and its far more work and much less frequent then a $100 oil change 
