I done did it myself....

[WhiteVTX]

Called the local Honda dealership to schedule the oil change, coolant stuff, and the rear drive oil change. They offered a complete service with checking the bike all over etc. for $150.00. Man!! So, I decided to get a little more familiar with my baby. I bought everything I needed (I had some stuff left over from last time)and it totaled $50.00. I put an aluminum cake pan under the bike and undid the bolts and drained the oil and after that I removed the old oil filter. Everything would have gone without a hitch had the pan been bigger and didn't collapse after it had about 3 quarts of old oil in it. Yep....what a mess I had to clean up! After I wiped it all up, I sprinkled cat litter over it to absorb the rest of the oil. (That works great BTW). Next, I undid the two bolts on the rear drive and drained that without trouble and then very carefully and with a tiny syringe added 4.1 ounces of final drive oil to it and then sealed it all back up. Started the bike and took her for a 20 mile run and she ran perfect. No leaks of any kind. The coolant was low so I added the right amount to that as well. All in all, it was very easy and I saved myself $100.00.

[amethaelf]

You are an amazing lady to do all of that, I am very impressed. (although I was also amazed to read it only costs $150 for a service there. I took Elf in for a minor service a couple of weeks ago and it cost $250). It must give a great feeling to know you arent dependant on others to get your bike running well.

[firefly]

Good for you, that's a lot of money! Too bad about the oil, but at least you found a good way to clean it up. Hubby does all the work on the bikes himself and it really makes a difference. I need to get more involved in the maintenance part - but I admit I'm too lazy ! I'd rather go out for a ride.....

[Wyomom]

Right on! I have thought about trying to be more involved, but DH is too anal about stuff like that...might as well let him do it!

[Trish]

That is so cool. I changed my oil once. Sometimes I think I should do my own servicing-but then......laziness?? I wonder if the warranty would be honored if I did.

[Trish]

That is so cool. I changed my oil once. Sometimes I think I should do my own servicing-but then......laziness?? I wonder if the warranty would be honored if I did. Do you have a shop manual? On my bike the "critical fasteners" also need to be checked and tightened if needed. Does the valves need adjusting too? When I did my oil change, I saved money on the servicing, but wanted the mechanic to do the other checks-though, really I should learn. It's usually easier than the imagination makes it seem!