valve job

[bensherwyn]

So... After a successful 1 month, 3500 mile trip through the northwest I arrived back in the Bay Area with all of my limbs & organs (a few stitches... but those were from a hiking mishap). Yesterday, I changed my oil & oil filter and discovered that the guys at the shop who gave my bike a look-over before departing changed my oil and forgot to replace the oil filter spindle (probably accidently tossed it with the old filter). I'm not sure how much this might've affected my motor after so many miles... but the thing that stings is that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff that I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets, cooling system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I always feel completely taken advantage of?! Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully loaded bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it or just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs? Pictures of the trip to come... Ben

[Jim Priest]

On 8/15/07, bensherwyn wrote:

> that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff that > I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets, cooling > system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I > always feel completely taken advantage of?!

$700 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What exactly did they do? For $700 I would go back and bitch - I'd demand a gold plated replacement!!! When I got my 98 that tube was missing - how long I have no idea - but I never had any issues... I think I ordered a replacement from Fred... I'd strongly suggest getting Clymers and some basic tools and start working on the bike yourself - KLR is easy - and the list is always here to answer questions/help out!! -- Jim Priest - central NC - 04 KLR650 'Gonzo' Checkout the KLR Resource List and Master Tool List http://www.thecrumb.com/wiki/KLR650_resources http://www.thecrumb.com/wiki/Master_tool_list

[J Fortner]

Call the shop speak with the service manager. Bring up the issue(s) and ask how they would like to address them. People make mistakes. Some shops make a lot of mistakes. My advice have the shop order the tube replace it yourself. If not get it from Fred and replace it yourself. Get the Clymers manual and some basic tools and do your own maintenance. The KLR is drop dead easy to work on. If you are not comfortable wrenching alone go to KLR tech day. $700 would have bought a lot of tools and oils. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. As Jim Priest said the engine is most likely fine. -jf

On 8/15/07, bensherwyn wrote: > > So... > > After a successful 1 month, 3500 mile trip through the northwest I > arrived back in the Bay Area with all of my limbs & organs (a few > stitches... but those were from a hiking mishap). > > Yesterday, I changed my oil & oil filter and discovered that the guys > at the shop who gave my bike a look-over before departing changed my > oil and forgot to replace the oil filter spindle (probably accidently > tossed it with the old filter). I'm not sure how much this might've > affected my motor after so many miles... but the thing that stings is > that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff that > I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets, cooling > system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I > always feel completely taken advantage of?! > > Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully loaded > bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it or > just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs? > > Pictures of the trip to come... > > Ben > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Doug Herr]

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007, bensherwyn wrote:

> Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully loaded > bike without the oil filter spindle.

If the bike was new, then it would matter much more, since there would be more metal particles needing to be filtered out. Beyond that, I don't know, but I think you should at least complain to the shop that did the "work" and simply ask them how they wish to make amends for this. -- Doug Herr doug@... A16 in Oakland, California

[Blake Sobiloff]

On Aug 15, 2007, at 8:19 AM, bensherwyn wrote:

> Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully loaded > bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it or > just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs?

Hi Ben! Sorry to hear your dealer messed up the oil change. It always worries me when someone messes up the simple stuff, as it gives me much less confidence that they did the harder stuff correctly. The good news is that there shouldn't be any danger to the longevity of your engine--assuming that the filter was still intact when you examined it. The filter "spindle" is actually a high-pressure bypass valve; it lets cold oil under high pressure bypass the filter media so that the excessive oil pressure doesn't blow out the filter. I'd certainly show the shop the error of their ways and give them a chance to make it right. A manager should give you a replacement part for free and give you a sincere apology. If that doesn't happen, explain to them why they've lost your business and then order the part from Fred. (Fred will get it to you faster anyway. ) -- Blake Sobiloff http://www.sobiloff.com/> San Jose, CA (USA)

[Bill Watson]

Blake, I'm not quite sure if we're saying the same thing, but the tube forces all oil to go THROUGH the filter unless the filter has such restriction the tube allows oil to go AROUND the filter. When the tube is gone, oil is NEVER filtered as it simply never has to cross the filter media. So for what it's worth, he did not have any filtering for his 3500 miles. Somehow I read your reply to read that the lack of a tube is only a problem when the filter media is plugged, and it's the other way around. Actually, the lack of a tube is always an issue unless the filter is already plugged. Bill Watson Phoenix, AZ -------------------

>>The good news is that there shouldn't be any danger to the longevity

of your engine--assuming that the filter was still intact when you examined it. The filter "spindle" is actually a high-pressure bypass valve; it lets cold oil under high pressure bypass the filter media so that the excessive oil pressure doesn't blow out the filter. --------------------------------- Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel today! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Blake Sobiloff wrote:

> I'd certainly show the shop the error of their ways and give them a > chance to make it right. A manager should give you a replacement > part for free and give you a sincere apology. If that doesn't > happen, explain to them why they've lost your business and then order > the part from Fred. (Fred will get it to you faster anyway. ) > --

Even if they do get you the part, accept it in good grace, and then explain to them why they are done servicing your bike. Even if they did do the rest of the work, which is very much in doubt, they gouged you on the price.

[kestrelfal]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bensherwyn" wrote:

> > So... > > After a successful 1 month, 3500 mile trip through the northwest I > arrived back in the Bay Area with all of my limbs & organs (a few > stitches... but those were from a hiking mishap). > > Yesterday, I changed my oil & oil filter and discovered that the guys > at the shop who gave my bike a look-over before departing changed my > oil and forgot to replace the oil filter spindle (probably accidently > tossed it with the old filter). I'm not sure how much this might've > affected my motor after so many miles... but the thing that stings is > that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff that > I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets, cooling > system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I > always feel completely taken advantage of?! > > Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully loaded > bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it or > just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs? > > Pictures of the trip to come... > > Ben

After reading your message and other's responses, here's my 2-cents; the service manager (and business owner?) should: 1. be appraised of the situation and your concerns in a business-like manner 2. (tell them what corrective action you want taken) - offer free oil change and replacement part, or refund of oil change and missing part - offer free inspection of all other work performed during the original service and correction of any deficiencies 3. offer some sort of goodwill compensation The shop's response to your concerns should determine whether you use their services in the future, although that answer may already be clear. In any case and at the least, the shop should be held accountable for their mistakes. FWIW Fred

[Spike55]

As a guy that has been on the other side (boat motors), I suggest going to the Kawi company website and printing off the one picture that shows the oil filter and the by-pass tube / side of the engine. The easier you make it for them to realize the mistake the better. Maybe the mechanic saved the part and are waiting for you to come back in but hasn't told the owner. Things might work out if you can get "face-time" with the mechanic. Regardless, oil filter and oil changes are real easy, and are on par with checking tire pressure, and lubing the chain. Buy 2 filters and 5 gallons of 20-50W: DIY Don R100, A6F --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "bensherwyn" wrote:

> > So... > > After a successful 1 month, 3500 mile trip through the northwest I > arrived back in the Bay Area with all of my limbs & organs (a few > stitches... but those were from a hiking mishap). > > Yesterday, I changed my oil & oil filter and discovered that the

guys

> at the shop who gave my bike a look-over before departing changed my > oil and forgot to replace the oil filter spindle (probably

accidently

> tossed it with the old filter). I'm not sure how much this might've > affected my motor after so many miles... but the thing that stings

is

> that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff

that

> I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets,

cooling

> system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I > always feel completely taken advantage of?! > > Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully

loaded

> bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it

or

> just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs? > > Pictures of the trip to come... > > Ben >

[Terry Hamrick]

Like everything else, these mechanics do not see enough KLR's to do many things right on them. Reading the list will inform that most people with KLR's who ride them do most of the maintenance themselves. So once in a blue moon a KLR comes in and these guys are in a hurry and while them may/may not reach over to grab the shop manual, they do not have enough experience with thumpers to get it right. Besides, if a person plans on any adventure rides they should really know how to work on their ride. Otherwise, it could be a very long walk... I agree with Spike, a few illustrations and a discussion with the service manager is in order. The very least the shop owes you is a replacement by-pass tube.. Rant over.... albatross who likes to know exactly who worked on his bike

On 8/16/07, Spike55 wrote: > > As a guy that has been on the other side (boat motors), I suggest > going to the Kawi company website and printing off the one picture > that shows the oil filter and the by-pass tube / side of the engine. > The easier you make it for them to realize the mistake the better. > > Maybe the mechanic saved the part and are waiting for you to come > back in but hasn't told the owner. Things might work out if you can > get "face-time" with the mechanic. > > Regardless, oil filter and oil changes are real easy, and are on par > with checking tire pressure, and lubing the chain. Buy 2 filters and > 5 gallons of 20-50W: DIY > > Don R100, A6F > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com , > "bensherwyn" > wrote: > > > > So... > > > > After a successful 1 month, 3500 mile trip through the northwest I > > arrived back in the Bay Area with all of my limbs & organs (a few > > stitches... but those were from a hiking mishap). > > > > Yesterday, I changed my oil & oil filter and discovered that the > guys > > at the shop who gave my bike a look-over before departing changed my > > oil and forgot to replace the oil filter spindle (probably > accidently > > tossed it with the old filter). I'm not sure how much this might've > > affected my motor after so many miles... but the thing that stings > is > > that I unwittingly ended up paying the shop nearly $700 for stuff > that > > I could've done myself (carb cleaning, new chain & sprockets, > cooling > > system check). Why is it that EVERY TIME I take my bike to a shop I > > always feel completely taken advantage of?! > > > > Anyways, I'm just curious if any of you know what kind of wear and > > tear might take place with 3500 hard, Montana miles on a fully > loaded > > bike without the oil filter spindle. Should I make an issue of it > or > > just order a new spindle and tuck my tail between my legs? > > > > Pictures of the trip to come... > > > > Ben > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]