Scooter Maintenance Intervals

[Dragonbones]

I take my scooter in to change the oil every time the indicator turns red, but am not sure what other things (e.g., oil or air filters) need changing, and at what intervals. Any recommendations?

[Joesox]

I take my scooter in to change the oil every time the indicator turns red, but am not sure what other things (e.g., oil or air filters) need changing, and at what intervals. Any recommendations?

Tyre pressures at least every 1000km. Transmission oil every few thousand km. Clean or replace air filter every few thousand km. Spark plug the same.

Oil filter not relevant if a 2-stroke bike. If a 4-stroke then every few thousand km.

Occasional cleaning of carburettor not a bad idea. Fuel filter too? Can't say I get my drive belt tension checked very often but the info below suggests it's worth it from time to time.

Things like disc brake fluid and valve clearances maybe once a year.

Other stuff like new tyres as and when needed. Basically keep an eye on stuff like cables, wheel and steering bearings etc.

Salvatore Armani posted some useful info from his scooter's service manual.

My wife and I have a new SYM 125. Between my intuition regarding the pictures of the mechanical things and her translation of the words in the manual, we came up with a basic set of service intervals for this machine, which would probably apply to other 125cc four strokes as well.

Every 1000km:
1) Engine oil change. Oil changes are quick and they're cheap as chips. At the the place in Siaogang (Kaohsiung) where our family buys it's bikes, the cost is $120.
2) inspect tires for damage

Every 3000km:
1) Inspect/replace air filter. This machine uses a hand-washable type of filter.
2) Check spark plug gap.
3) Check/adjust throttle cable tension.
4) Check telescoping front forks for leakage, check rear shock for leakage

Every 5,000km:
1) Change transmission oil. Again, easy and cheap

Every 6,000km:
1) Change fuel filter.
2)Check drive belt tension.
3) Replace spark plug.

Every 12,000km
1) Replace drive belt.

This model has drum brakes, and there is no mileage interval for brake adjustments, just a specification for maximum brake lever travel: 20mm. So if you can squeeze the levers farther than that, tighten up the brake adjusters.
-p

I'm making this into the new scooter maintenance intervals sticky thread. The old thread was sprawling and there were some inaccuracies, not least those posted by me. So I've de-stickied that and I'm stickying this.

[ironfist]

useful thread

[Yossarian Lives]

To prevent newbies like myself from getting ripped off, it would be much appreciated if someone could post what the average cost of these repairs are.

[GRC22]

Every 5,000km:
1) Change transmission oil. Again, easy and cheap

Is transmission oil the same as "gear oil" The "gear oil" comes in a tube with a long nozzle already attached to it. It is more like a lubricant substance than an oil base.

I have a 1 year old kymco 125. Done 8000km.

Originally, my mechanic told me to change the "gear oil" twice a year.

Now, he tells me it needs to be replaced every second oil change (every 2000km).

How often do you change the transmission/gear oil in your scooter?

I've also been told that if you don't ask a mechanic to change the transmission oil/gear oil, the majority of mechanics won't volunteer to check it for you. Apparently, good for repeat business when the engine just suddenly "konks out".

[nazmikarakoc]

The transmission or gear oil replacement interval in my Kymco's manual is 300km, 2000km, 5000km, 10000km, 15000km.....

If you don't ask for anything, they will just change the oil and in best case check tire pressure and let you go.

I ask for everything and hard time to find someone to do all the things listed in the manual.

Now i start cleaning the air filter , check suspensions and brakes every 1000km by myself.

Coming close to 3000km I am going to start changing the oil also.

The transmission oil is not too hard to change, i watch them do it 2 times already and it takes 2 tubes of gear oil with long nose

Oil change $150 for cheap Kymco oil, $250 for better stuff.
gear oil change $200

[irishmoe]

I get my oil changed every 1000km which is easy peasy but what do I need to get done every 6000km? I used to go to this place where the guy changed some extra stuff at the 6k mark. He did the job and I coughed up 600nt but now I have to change guys as that place is just too far now. So what should I be asking to get done. Zhongwen would be much appreciated

[redwagon]

[irishmoe]

Sorry I'm a dope. I searched for service and servicing!! Damn those British invaders who taught me to speak their language thus enabling me to work here... oh right

[Ed en Vadrouille]

I've changed a few things on my scooters, and thought I'd contribute. I ride over 1000km per month, so my machines wear off quickly.
I'm putting this smiley when I'm not 100% certain of the price. It means it's roughly in that area, but not EXACTLY that.

Duke 125c
Rear shock: 800NT$
Battery: Around 800
Belt: 300-400
Exhaust: 800
Tire: 800
Rebuilding the engine (new cylinder, piston, rings): 3500
Changing brake cable "housing" (not sure how to call this, it's basically the tube that the cable sits in): 250
Brake pads (drum brakes): 250
New front suspension: got quoted over 3000

PGO G-Max 200 (More expensive)
Disc brake pads: 400
Belt: 800
Rear wheel: 1200
Installing HID lamp: 500
Oil change: 250. This is the medium range oil. I use it for long trips on the previous scooter, and all the time on this one.
Gear oil change: 50 (not sure why you guys pay so much more for it)
Battery change: 1000
New saddle: 800
Putting on new horns (doesn't include the horns): 100
Rear mud fender (the lower one): 300

These prices are from old style "mom and pop" shop. Not the fancy shiny type of shop where they charge more.