[Frank_M]

I've developed a chart that mirrors the chart in the owner's manual however includes notes and links that make things a little easier if you like to perform your own maintenance. I "may" go back and include reference pages to the service manual for each task, but no promises. Stay tuned...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1spWJnyXA3gJgs8XlnYHb7AfIOAWe0ovR73cFNq6Xer8/edit?usp=sharing

[Dexter]

BRAVO! That is a most excellent reference sheet, especially having the part numbers that link to Hitchcock's catalogue. References to specific pages in the Meteor Service Manual would be icing on the cake, as the index there, even though it does link to pages within the manual, is not very user friendly when looking to do a specific task, like adjusting a clutch cable for instance.

Well done! Cheers!

[Ivy]

Well done Frank, much appreciated.

[20MarkIII]

Thank you, Sir, much appreciated!

[Veloman]

Excellent - Thanks for your efforts.

[NuttyRusty]

This makes more sense, even an idiot like me can follow it. Well done.

[Frank_M]

Thank you for the positive responses! Sometimes one is just not sure how things will go but this seems to be a hit. I'm excited I was able to make a worthwhile contribution to the Meteor 350 community. Again, thank you for your kind words...

[Frank_M]

Here is another link that will allow you to edit and customize as well as site your own references in the event I don't get a chance to do it until a cold and snowy day! :-)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BnXu3_G7HxGvC9mrjNzVOnTtfVmWC5sLY_tWnu3AXB8/edit?usp=sharing

[FinnDave]

Very useful, thanks for sharing it.

[LowEnd]

This is great but does anybody else think that 5000km service intervals are a bit too frequent?  I'm not a spanner guy so I use a mechanic and the costs are mounting up to a point that servicing has cost almost half the current resale value of the bike. (Just did 15000km service so 4 visits to the shop at A$300-450 a hit, trade-in value currently around A$4000) 

[Dexter]

This is great but does anybody else think that 5000km service intervals are a bit too frequent?  I'm not a spanner guy so I use a mechanic and the costs are mounting up to a point that servicing has cost almost half the current resale value of the bike. (Just did 15000km service so 4 visits to the shop at A$300-450 a hit, trade-in value currently around A$4000)

I'm looking at the owner's manual maintenance schedule and can't see where there is anything that needs attention between 10,000 km intervals, other than a few inspect this, clean that, all of which are pretty much a waste of time and I'm sure the dealer doesn't waste his mechanic's time on them either.

Oil changes, probably the most important, are recommended for every 10,000 km. Brake fluid changes every two years is good. Valve lash inspection is 10,000 km.

So, I don't know where you got the idea of a service every 5,000 km, unless the dealer has hoodwinked you with a line of BS to keep your warranty safe.

Changing an air filter is child's play, so are oil changes too, really. You would be well advised to learn a bit about such simple servicing bits and save yourself a pile of dosh. Otherwise, bike ownership may not be something worthwhile to you.

[Frank_M]

This is great but does anybody else think that 5000km service intervals are a bit too frequent?  I'm not a spanner guy so I use a mechanic and the costs are mounting up to a point that servicing has cost almost half the current resale value of the bike. (Just did 15000km service so 4 visits to the shop at A$300-450 a hit, trade-in value currently around A$4000)

I have had many interests throughout my lifetime and the majority of them held true to the saying "if ya wanna play, ya gotta pay." Motorcycles are no different, however let me offer a few words of encouragement. These bikes are simple enough that most individuals should be able to perform the majority of the maintenance themselves, especially with all of the resources available (think YouTube). I think I speak for many of us when I say performing your own maintenance (knowing it is done right) is part of the motorcycle ownership experience. If you take it upon yourself to take on these maintenance tasks (simple oil and filter changes and air filter for starters), I guarantee you will walk away with a sense of pride in owning and riding your bike that is very satisfying. Being a member of this forum will furnish you with guidance and encouragement as there are some great people here. Lastly, while you "may" have to invest in a few basic tools you will certainly re-coop the costs many times over.

Good luck and let us know when and how we can help.

[LowEnd]

I'm looking at the owner's manual maintenance schedule and can't see where there is anything that needs attention between 10,000 km intervals, other than a few inspect this, clean that, all of which are pretty much a waste of time and I'm sure the dealer doesn't waste his mechanic's time on them either.

Oil changes, probably the most important, are recommended for every 10,000 km. Brake fluid changes every two years is good. Valve lash inspection is 10,000 km.

So, I don't know where you got the idea of a service every 5,000 km, unless the dealer has hoodwinked you with a line of BS to keep your warranty safe.

Changing an air filter is child's play, so are oil changes too, really. You would be well advised to learn a bit about such simple servicing bits and save yourself a pile of dosh. Otherwise, bike ownership may not be something worthwhile to you.

"So, I don't know where you got the idea of a service every 5,000 km."  That idea comes from the service handbook.

I'm absolutely sure you didn't mean it in the way it reads but to say "
bike ownership may not be something worthwhile to you" is not at all helpful nor indeed polite. Different people have different ways of engaging with a pastime or pursuit so to imply the that one must get on the spanners to achieve a worthwhile experience from motorcycle ownership is gatekeeping and, again, not really helpful.

Me complaining about service costs ... who doesn't?

But I'm sure I've taken this the wrong way. Cheers.

[Dexter]

Well, you've taken it a little harsher than intended, that's for sure!

Seriously, the factory service manual, if that's what you are calling the "service handbook", has the exact same maintenance chart as is in the owner's manual. Yes, there are several items the chart says to "inspect" every 5,000 km, but the important ones that do need doing only come up every 10,000 km. Those are the ones you want to have done.

It would be interesting to see what services performed are listed on the dealer invoice for those 5,000 km visits. I'm guessing an unnecessary oil change at least. There's $100 easy.

Going by that chart religiously is what RE wants you to do to support their dealer network, for service is the money maker, as you can see.

Bottom line here is, you don't need to go in every 5,000 km, for the "inspect" items rarely need attention.

You did come here to ask " does anybody else think that 5000km service intervals are a bit too frequent"? I think I've tried to explain that to you.

Now, just on the off chance that you might change your mind about trying your own hand in doing a bit of maintenance, here's a RE link to a load of videos they produced to help owners do many of the simpler tasks.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT1BEDU54E1SKBG28gF49AclawHddstLm

[Ivy]

Home maintenance is a difficult one for some people if your country does not have clear and specific laws about honouring warrantees.
I understand these laws apply in the US but I would not like to put it to the test in the UK.
I find myself paying for the dealers stamp in the book and then rechecking their work.