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First Service report

NewEnglandHimalayan

Well travelled
Location
New England
Well, I just got done doing the first service on my Himmy. I contacted RENA about this since the closest dealership to me is over 100 miles away and they indicated that it was ok as long as I kept track of the parts used. All were RE original parts so I am ok.

It all went well, it was simple for the most part. Despite my best efforts, I could not avoid getting oil on the exhaust pipe, I hate that. It is now clean and thankfully I got it all off :cool:

Cleaning the chain was a breeze using one of those three sided brushes and the spray it comes with. There was no gunk under the output shaft cover. No adjustment was necessary this time. Just in case, don't even think of running the bike in gear to try and save time when cleaning the chain, that is a bad idea that may cost you some digits. I do it manually, thankfully, the Himalayan has that handy center stand.
The spark plug was in excellent condition and all joints, swingarm, head and links appeared well lubricated.

The most challenging part was the valve adjustment. I tried to use the Motion Pro valve adjustment tool but it didn't quite fit fit when I tried to do the intake side. The tool's "walls" are too thick and the tool hits the valve cover before it can engage the 10mm locking nut. I tried using a set of pliers like I have seen so many others do but could never get the clearance set right that way. Plus my OCD did not allow me to feel right about it :) Note that I could not get the smallest of the gages in when I tried to check the clearances of either valve indicating that they were either set up wrong from the factory or just tightened up during the 300mile rides. Anyways, I took the Motion Pro tool to work and had our machinist shave a good amount of material off with the lathe. Back home, I tried the tool and it now fit like a glove. Now the valves adjusted at 0.09mm for the intake and somewhere between .23 and .25mm on the exhaust. I closed it all up while double checking my torques, got some fuel and went for a ride.

I could not believe how different the bike felt on my first ride since the service. It may be just me but it is hard to describe how different it felt. The bike now feels with a much smoother acceleration and I kid you not, a bit more punch and eager to go. It is also not as loud as I remember it was before (mechanical noises). The bike also seems to idle more smoothly now. It is a very different experience now with this bike. We will see how it behaves while riding in the high summer temps.

Overall this is an easy job. Very few tools are needed. The bike is so simple that there is no cumbersome parts or tricks to pull to get this done. I did order a RE valve adjustment tool but it is coming from India so, who knows when it will arrive. That is one of the things I would recommend anyone that intends to do this on his or her own. I am also saving some $$ to get one of those Harbor Freight motorcycle tables, kneeling and crouching for this made me feel extra old LOL.
 

NewEnglandHimalayan

Well travelled
Location
New England
Wondering if everyone is NOT using the drain bolt and just removing the cover? Also, wondering if everyone is removing the 3rd plug on the front of the engine to drain the oil. Saw it on youtube and that's what I do.
Absolutely, it is what I did on mine. One of the videos that I have seen, or pictures here, showed magnet tipped bolts in those locations. Mine did not have any. I will try to source some to put in.
 

sqeeezy

Well travelled
Location
Southern Spain
Well, I just got done doing the first service on my Himmy. I contacted RENA about this since the closest dealership to me is over 100 miles away and they indicated that it was ok as long as I kept track of the parts used. All were RE original parts so I am ok.
RENA seem a good bunch of guys. I took mine in the other day here in Spain to the obligatory workshop and the guy changed the spark plug at 7000km, oil and filter, probably didn't do the valves, sprayed chain lube all over the back disk and pads so I had quite an OMG! moment when I drove away, didn't give me a receipt or bill and charged me 120 euros, 20 euros more than last time because he'd changed a spark plug? I've degreased the disk and pads: next thing is find out if they'll allow a better, cheaper more local mechanic to do the next service: I don't think they'll allow me to do it and keep it under warranty. Roll on two years. You're getting a better deal over there, my friend.
 

johnny42

Well travelled
Location
NY State
I don't think they'll allow me to do it and keep it under warranty.
Spend 5 minutes on a search engine and pose the question... "can i do my own vehicle maintenance without voiding the warranty". Over here, I got 29,000 hits. And yes, you will not void the warranty provided you document the work.
 

CarstenB

Well travelled
Location
h-town tx
Spend 5 minutes on a search engine and pose the question... "can i do my own vehicle maintenance without voiding the warranty". Over here, I got 29,000 hits. And yes, you will not void the warranty provided you document the work.
and that's valid for Europe?
 

MrDralas

Well travelled
Location
Planet Earth
Well, I just got done doing the first service on my Himmy. I contacted RENA about this since the closest dealership to me is over 100 miles away and they indicated that it was ok as long as I kept track of the parts used. All were RE original parts so I am ok.

It all went well, it was simple for the most part. Despite my best efforts, I could not avoid getting oil on the exhaust pipe, I hate that. It is now clean and thankfully I got it all off :cool:

Cleaning the chain was a breeze using one of those three sided brushes and the spray it comes with. There was no gunk under the output shaft cover. No adjustment was necessary this time. Just in case, don't even think of running the bike in gear to try and save time when cleaning the chain, that is a bad idea that may cost you some digits. I do it manually, thankfully, the Himalayan has that handy center stand.
The spark plug was in excellent condition and all joints, swingarm, head and links appeared well lubricated.

The most challenging part was the valve adjustment. I tried to use the Motion Pro valve adjustment tool but it didn't quite fit fit when I tried to do the intake side. The tool's "walls" are too thick and the tool hits the valve cover before it can engage the 10mm locking nut. I tried using a set of pliers like I have seen so many others do but could never get the clearance set right that way. Plus my OCD did not allow me to feel right about it :) Note that I could not get the smallest of the gages in when I tried to check the clearances of either valve indicating that they were either set up wrong from the factory or just tightened up during the 300mile rides. Anyways, I took the Motion Pro tool to work and had our machinist shave a good amount of material off with the lathe. Back home, I tried the tool and it now fit like a glove. Now the valves adjusted at 0.09mm for the intake and somewhere between .23 and .25mm on the exhaust. I closed it all up while double checking my torques, got some fuel and went for a ride.

I could not believe how different the bike felt on my first ride since the service. It may be just me but it is hard to describe how different it felt. The bike now feels with a much smoother acceleration and I kid you not, a bit more punch and eager to go. It is also not as loud as I remember it was before (mechanical noises). The bike also seems to idle more smoothly now. It is a very different experience now with this bike. We will see how it behaves while riding in the high summer temps.

Overall this is an easy job. Very few tools are needed. The bike is so simple that there is no cumbersome parts or tricks to pull to get this done. I did order a RE valve adjustment tool but it is coming from India so, who knows when it will arrive. That is one of the things I would recommend anyone that intends to do this on his or her own. I am also saving some $$ to get one of those Harbor Freight motorcycle tables, kneeling and crouching for this made me feel extra old LOL.
I use the oil filter box as a break(?) so the oil flow on it instead of everywhere’s else.
The RE tool works fairly well and it actually fits in to the intake side.

Wondering if everyone is NOT using the drain bolt and just removing the cover? Also, wondering if everyone is removing the 3rd plug on the front of the engine to drain the oil. Saw it on youtube and that's what I do.
I haven’t loosened the drain bolt yet, I just crack the 2 10mm let the oil trickle on the the oil filter box away from the frame.
I also don’t do the 3rd plug, you’ll never get all the oil out from every where’s probably more stays in the pan then that line. I also do my oil every 5000km (3000 miles) so twice as often compared to what’s recommended.
I also leave the kill switch off and crank the engine a few times to get oil everywhere before firing it up, starts are where the most wear happens in any engine.
 

NewEnglandHimalayan

Well travelled
Location
New England
RENA seem a good bunch of guys. I took mine in the other day here in Spain to the obligatory workshop and the guy changed the spark plug at 7000km, oil and filter, probably didn't do the valves, sprayed chain lube all over the back disk and pads so I had quite an OMG! moment when I drove away, didn't give me a receipt or bill and charged me 120 euros, 20 euros more than last time because he'd changed a spark plug? I've degreased the disk and pads: next thing is find out if they'll allow a better, cheaper more local mechanic to do the next service: I don't think they'll allow me to do it and keep it under warranty. Roll on two years. You're getting a better deal over there, my friend.
Wow, that would have soiled my pants if it happened to me. Some mechanics are just there for their paycheck. No regard for someone's life. Glad nothing bad happened.

Here in the US, the manufacturer has to prove that any part you used is the reason for a failure before they deny warranty. That does not cover what you do to the bike. At the very least, you have to prove that the service was done. I made a video of what I could that I will be posting in YT soon. I am not a YTber and was not about to get oil and dirt on my camera to cover everything but what is important is in the video.
 

sqeeezy

Well travelled
Location
Southern Spain
Spend 5 minutes on a search engine and pose the question... "can i do my own vehicle maintenance without voiding the warranty". Over here, I got 29,000 hits. And yes, you will not void the warranty provided you document the work.
In Spain, recent EU consumer laws now say the vendor may not demand you get the services done at their specified workshop https://www.autobild.es/reportajes/nuevo-reglamento-talleres so I was wrong, there is some consumer protection, but I can also understand the vendors wanting to keep amateur halfwits from graunching things up. I'll order RE OEM parts and video it and do it myself anyway, I think.
 

johnny42

Well travelled
Location
NY State
You won't be alone doing that. Many of us here do our own work. Again, keep receipts and document the work. Did you read carefully?

"In Spain, recent EU consumer laws now say the vendor may not demand you get the services done at their specified workshop".

Does that mean you have to use an authorized shop, but you can chose which one? Or does it mean you don't have to use a shop and can do it yourself?
 

sqeeezy

Well travelled
Location
Southern Spain
You won't be alone doing that. Many of us here do our own work. Again, keep receipts and document the work. Did you read carefully?

"In Spain, recent EU consumer laws now say the vendor may not demand you get the services done at their specified workshop".

Does that mean you have to use an authorized shop, but you can chose which one? Or does it mean you don't have to use a shop and can do it yourself?
My take on it is that it's up to me to show that the work is done in a competent manner, but basically it's what it says; they can't make me use their chosen workshop.
 

Jerk

The Boss at On An Adventure
Staff member
Quick question on the fuel sensor connector.... does it just unplug or are there tabs that must be depressed? I fiddled around with one of them and couldn't get it to disconnect. Doesn't help that my close-up vision is completely shot, too.
 

sqeeezy

Well travelled
Location
Southern Spain
Quick question on the fuel sensor connector.... does it just unplug or are there tabs that must be depressed? I fiddled around with one of them and couldn't get it to disconnect. Doesn't help that my close-up vision is completely shot, too.
as CarstenB just said it's got a tab. I found it be an awkward pig to get off, push, pull, push and then it comes off and you wonder why it was so difficult... ;-)
 

BurnieM

Well travelled
In Australia I make a copy of the maintenance schedule, date it, note the kilometres, tick off the tasks and staple the oil and filter receipts to it and file it away.
Warranty maintained.
 
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