[pcgolfer]

I have only been on this board for a few weeks, and think I got more help from members here than I did at any of the three dealerships I have been to. I am sure there are great dealers/service out there, but the ones I went to acted like they were doing me a favor.

One of the big problems, is that there aren't a ton of dealers / service centers out west, or even here in Iowa. I have a 1999 LT with ABS, and I think I'd be be better off doing the service and repairs myself. I bought the Clymer's manual, and have quite a few tools.

I keep seeing thread after thread, where people have more problems after they get the bike serviced. I think one thing most would agree on, is that every repair on a BMW seems to be expensive. It' really hard to justify spending $2,000 on a bike that is fetching $4500-5000.

My bike only has 49,600 for a 1999 which is pretty low. My plan is to do as much as I can myself. People on this board seem so knowledgeable and helpful. Earlier this evening, one buy offered to send a guy on the road parts and gave him cell.

So far, this is one of the best boards I have been on. HOW MANY OF YOU DO ALL YOUR REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE YOURSELF. ALSO, IS MY PERCEPTION OF BMW SERVICE WAY OUT OF LINE?

 

[copperstatetour]

I do all my own work and even occasionally tackle something that I probably should not have. For my 2 cents I think you are best to do it yourself if you can, that way you know every inch of your bike and you have the personal assurance that it is safe. Also I find my own assessment much easier to believe than when a repair guys tells me I need something.

I tend to generally agree with your opinion about having service done, there are a few good shops out there but I stress a few. One thing I can promise you is that you will not find anyone who will give your bike the TLC that you will.

 

[AlaskaFish]

No, you're not out of line with the exorbitant cost of maintaining BMW's. And for that reason I do my own work. It helps that it is a '00 with the ABS II and not the later version.

John

 

[dfinazzo]

I have owned two LT's in the past 9 years and other than the 600 mile check on my first LT
no dealer has touched my bike - they left town. I to have noticed and posted on this
board a few times about he problems that seem to arise once a dealer has serviced a bike
- just saying.

Since 99.9% of the time the engine has proven to be bullet proof most of the maintenance
involves the support systems on the bike - fuel, oils, water, electronic issues, ABS, lubricants,
tires, brakes and brake lines, cables, rear drive, filters and the occasional clutch assist
hydraulic cylinder. These are relatively easy mechanical issues to look after for the
mechanically inclined along with the help of the wonderful members on this site.

This site has a wonderful heritage of which you now are a part of . . . good luck and post
your experiences here good and bad!!

You will notice by name is bolded and in gold which indicates I donate funds to this site which
I have determined is in investment in this community which has paid me back a many many times
over the past 10 years

 

[jers99lt]

I couldn't help but notice, but your .sig says you own/owned a 1882 Goldwing! Can you still get parts for it? Gotta be the oldest bike on the forum.

:histerica

I wouldn't stick around here if it wasn't the best place to learn and become confident in doing my own maintence. Makes you want to give back as best you can.

Have fun,
Jer

 

[Lynn_Keen]

BMW dealer service is expensive for sure. However, most of the folks that I ride with every week are riding Wings and they tell me that the local dealer's labor rate is $75/ half hour! Yes folks that's $150/hr! Haven't been to a BMW shop for several years but the last time I visited I seem to recall that they were ONLY $100/hr. A veritable bargain!

 

[powwow]

BMW dealer service is expensive for sure. However, most of the folks that I ride with every week are riding Wings and they tell me that the local dealer's labor rate is $75/ half hour! Yes folks that's $150/hr! Haven't been to a BMW shop for several years but the last time I visited I seem to recall that they were ONLY $100/hr. A veritable bargain!

ATT. Young people...don't waste your time and money on law school...just become a 'Wing mechanic!

 

[djthompson43]

Acquired my '09 LT in August 2011 and joined this forum the day after bringing her home. It (forum) has been an amazing resource for technical information as well as a few good laughs. I don't consider myself a particularly skilled "wrencher" but I have succesfully flushed my brake system, flushed the clutch, changed all the lubricants twice, and removed front and rear tires to have new tires mounted. My transmission seal is leaking but I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with that on my own just yet. That will probably be my first experience with the dreaded dealer, although I believe I'm fortunate to have a reputable dealer close to where I work based on others experiences with them. Before long I expect to be changing out the air filter and flushing the coolant, which don't appear to be too difficult. Like others have mentioned, I get enjoyment from doing the work myself.

In addition to the forum you may want to consider purchasing the maintenance CD's put together by Paul Sayegh (sp?). I found those to be a useful introduction to many of the maintenance procedures.

Dave

 

[Rocketsled]

What you're seeing is the difference between a business and an enthusiast group. The Business is there to make a profit, the group is here because we're greatly interested in this bike.

While you'll find some better businesses, in general, they ARE under the gun to get the bike in, out, and paid for ASAP, leading to mistakes and large bills. They also have to be 'experts' in multiple models, were we just have to be experts in our bike.

I've also found we attract a more technical group of people than most. There's no shortage of members with machine tools and mechanical knowledge, and it shows!

 

[Foiler]

I joined this forum before i purchased my 05. it had been sitting for 2 years due to a fuel leak so i did some searching, found these boards, searched up the problem, and found the solution! seems everyone has bad fuel QD's and there were even links to buy the new and better parts! After reading a few posts i felt like the repair would be fairly easy, and it was. Took me MUCh longer to learn how to remove the tupperware then it did to make the actual repair. I will work on my bike when i can, but since it is my only vehicle and i live in an apartment, i cant always do everything myself. Sometimes it is better to take it to a reputable mechanic and let them have at it, they are always much quicker than i am.

 

[pcgolfer]

I couldn't help but notice, but your .sig says you own/owned a 1882 Goldwing! Can you still get parts for it? Gotta be the oldest bike on the forum.

:histerica

I wouldn't stick around here if it wasn't the best place to learn and become confident in doing my own maintence. Makes you want to give back as best you can.

Have fun,
Jer

I do indeed have an1982 Goldwing, I had completely redone. It only has 42K on it. The battery is dead and needs replacing. The local honda mechanic rebuilt the carbs, replaced the belts, all fluids, redid the front forks. It is fully decked out with a Corbin seat, repainted hard cases. It really is a nice bike. I may be in trouble when it comes to parts.

 

[deputy5211]

My transmission seal is leaking but I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with that on my own just yet. That will probably be my first experience with the dreaded dealer, although I believe I'm fortunate to have a reputable dealer close to where I work based on others experiences with them. Before long I expect to be changing out the air filter and flushing the coolant, which don't appear to be too difficult. Like others have mentioned, I get enjoyment from doing the work myself.

Dave,
If you cannot find a forum member local to assist, take off work for a week and ride the bike to Dallas. I will be happy to assist with your clutch and/or seals.

Just finishing my own clutch/seal project. My FD isI not properly stabbed but hope to resolve that tomorrow. Always happy to help out a fellow member of this community; it is what we do around here. No bike is an island.

 

[jers99lt]

I do indeed have an1982 Goldwing, I had completely redone. It only has 42K on it. The battery is dead and needs replacing. The local honda mechanic rebuilt the carbs, replaced the belts, all fluids, redid the front forks. It is fully decked out with a Corbin seat, repainted hard cases. It really is a nice bike. I may be in trouble when it comes to parts.

Note the year of your Wing in your signature. That's what I was joshing you about. I also own a "vintage" bike, a 1985, but not a 1882. :histerica

Have fun,
Jer

 

[pcgolfer]

That's funny, yeah it was actually a prototype used toward the end of the civil war, but wasn't released for 20 years. Thanks, I'll correct it.

 

[David13]

I am not now nor have I ever been nor will I ever be an LT guy. (Never say never). But I am a motorcycle enthusiast, and I understand they let RT people in here.
I do all my own work and started with my father and grandfather when I was a child to do that type of work on cars and bikes.
My grandfather was employed as a mechanic, and my father knew how to do it, but grew to hate it so quit.
I learned early to love and enjoy it so I do all my own work.
My experience with motorcycle enthusiasts with any brand of bike and a large percent of car guys (fans, afficionados, collectors) is that many of them want to do their own work. There are exceptions, but to me having a bike, or a collector car has been about riding AND working on it.
It gives me far greater pleasure from the motorcycling experience to be personally involved with every nut and bolt on my bike.
Plus my safety depends on it, so I want to know it was done right.
The dealers and any mechanic can and do make mistakes. Speed and profit is what they go for.
To help somebody else work on their bike is a joy to me. And for a lot of us, I think.
There are tech days where the knowledge is shared. And there are some other valuable forums as well, tho' this one is centered on LTs.
If you host a tech days at your place, you may learn quite a bit, and make some friends to help you with your maintenance.
dc

 

[djthompson43]

Hey Tony, I appreciate the offer of help! Truth is I'll probably get bored sometime next winter and decide to tear into the beast just for something to do. I've watched John Z's video for drilling the weep hole in the clutch slave cylinder often enough and I haven't seen anything that appears too difficult. Also noticed that someone on this forum was offering to sell the 30MM cut-out sockets that you need to remove the swing arm. Probably need to pick one of those up now and eliminate the lack of any special tools as an excuse when winter arrives!

Dave

 

[wrmoss]

I do all my own wrenching because...

I want to be in control!

I want to be familiar with my ride--even when I'm far, far from home.(More control issues):rotf:

I am a cheap sucka.(Actually my wife is...there goes the control)

And in some strange sort of way--I really enjoy working on her.

 

[wa1200lt]

I couldn't help but notice, but your .sig says you own/owned a 1882 Goldwing! Can you still get parts for it? Gotta be the oldest bike on the forum.

:histerica

I wouldn't stick around here if it wasn't the best place to learn and become confident in doing my own maintence. Makes you want to give back as best you can.

Have fun,
Jer

I noticed the same thing a while back. 1882. DEFINITELY one of the early ones!

Loren

 

[BecketMa]

Thanks to the people who got this site going, and especially Andy, plus the different moderators, this site has thrived since it started.

During the last 11 years or so, many people have shared their expertise at repairing the LT. As a result, you will find the answer to just about any question you have about your LT.

Truely, this is an amazing community. AND, fortunately it is up-beat and positive.

Enjoy your 99. A few people have put 300K on their LTs.

Best from tucson
Bob