My first (14k) service on the SL...

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dyzio · #1 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:48 am

Hi all
On the rideout yesterday the service light came on, this will be my first one on the Falco so a few questions. From what I've read in the manual, I only need to replace the oil and filter. Sounds easy. Bike is an 04 plate in flamingo red with 14k on the clock.

Had a quick look around and found everything I need on rsvr.net:
- oil - http://www.rsvr.net/products/product-36 ... 4T__4L.htm
- filter - http://www.rsvr.net/products/product-20 ... cement.htm
+ I'll be getting a new washer and a spare 1L top up bottle.

The thing that wonders me is that the manual says I should drain the oil from 2 places(??) Second being no. 4

When browsing for spares I found something called the "Oil Filter Upgrade Kit", http://www.rsvr.net/products/product-43 ... de_Kit.htm is this essential/worth doing?
Since we are on the subject of servicing, are iridium DCPR9EIX plugs ok to use with the SL? What torque do they go up to, couldn't find this in the manual.

Last thing, I think it would be good to get myself a torque wrench as well, did a quick scan on ebay but the only one I could find that would cover the range from 12Nm (engine drain plug 4.) to 120Nm (rear wheel) was this one: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Sealey-STW302 ... 1|294%3A50

140 pounds seems a bit much, do they usually cost this much?

Cheers
Dyzio

fastasfcuk · #2 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Mon May 04, 2009 8:21 am

other than a digital one you wo'nt find one that covers the range, and as you've seen they are pricey

paddyz1 · #3 Post by **paddyz1** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:02 am

You could buy 2 torque wrench's for less than half that price. What's left will pay for the service items.

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:42 am

Here's the story on the oil filter and housing (It's a "sticky" in the "Aprilia Technical" part of the forum):

https://www.ridersite.com/viewtopic.php?t=1419

If I remember rightly, you do drain oil from the oil tank and the crank case (not that I've done this myself yet .... but am expecting to be doing so in a few weeks time)

NGK's Iridium plug that is spec'd for the Falco is the DCPR9EIX
Of course there's also the DENSO IXU27 (I've been running these for the past year)

The following is an interesting comparison between the DENSO and NGK plugs (and it's probably a bit more independent than me re. DENSO products)

http://www.spark-plugs.co.uk/pages/tech ... _plugs.htm

On Torque wrenches - yes, what Paddy says.
Don't forget, they should really be kept calibrated and it's important to wind the spring back off when you've finished using them (sorry if this is teaching granny to suck eggs).

Aladinsaneuk · #5 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon May 04, 2009 11:33 am

the halfords torque wrenches are a good price - less than 100 for the two you would need

imho the plugs is a misnomer - everyone who has reported an increase in performance has just done a service - so.....

the oil change is quite straightforward - suggest that you download the service guide from martin's site - i printed it out but no real need for that
(Unless you have access to the works printer and unlimited paper of course....)

when you do the plug change take care to clean all the crap away from the srrounding area of the plugs - avoids crap dropping in the plug hole
(Changing the plugs can be a pain in the bum the first time as you do have to ferret around reaching things....)

Fausto · #6 Post by **Fausto** » Mon May 04, 2009 12:32 pm

+1 on the torque wrench comments. You'll need 2.

You don't need to torque spark plugs though. Just follow the instructions on the box. Something like do up finger tight then 1/2 turn with a wrench.

mrapriliafalco · #7 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:20 pm

Is the oil and filter change the only things that are done on a minor service.
I had a big one last time around and due another service and if that's it I may as well do it myself!!!!
Is the rest of the service just checking things over?

D-Rider · #8 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:29 pm

mrapriliafalco wrote:Is the oil and filter change the only things that are done on a minor service.
I had a big one last time around and due another service and if that's it I may as well do it myself!!!!
Is the rest of the service just checking things over?

The service items are listed in your User Manual and also in the Workshop Manual.

If you don't have these, Martin Poll's website is your friend:

http://www.martinpoll.dk/index.htm

Dusty · #9 Post by **Dusty** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:44 pm

Torque wrench suggestion: 1/2" drive for the biggy and 3/8" for the little un. http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/categ ... s-2/page/1

mrapriliafalco · #10 Post by **mrapriliafalco** » Mon May 04, 2009 3:47 pm

sorry to sound naive!! but I guess the big service that costs an arm and a leg is the one down in the manual as every 16 months which I had last at 26000ish miles, and then the minor one is at every 8 months.
so every 16 months they want a shed load (around £400) then every 8 months about £200 then just repeat the process

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:26 pm

I guess so .... though I'd not pay that much for a service .... and I tend not to worry about the time limit as long as the mileage clocks up sometime during the year (though that's just personal choice).

This is from the User Manual:
I guess these are the things for which Aprilia believes you can do on your own .... more are listed in the Workshop Manual as dealer service items ....

This is what the Workshop Manual has to say:
.... which is a bit more detailed ....

Aladinsaneuk · #12 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:57 pm

well - slightly different take on the servicing for me.....

I change the engine oil and filter every 6 months - about 3 000 mile ish? but i just do it

I change the clutch and brake fluid every year - just because i can and i like to know it has been done

The air filter gets the K&N cleaning treatment every 6 months

Coolant - every year

Plugs, out and cleaned / checked every 6 months, replaced every year

disks checked along with buttons every month - when i check the wheels!

Other Checks are done pre ride - or at least weekly if the bike is not used

(Tyres, scottoiler function etc)

I know my shims were checked at 18 000 miles and a new sprag clutch was put in at that time - so i will do the shims again at 36,000

***

I guess what I am trying to say is a lot of this can be done yourself... and is fun to do :)

paddyz1 · #13 Post by **paddyz1** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:18 pm

I had the first service done for the warranty purpose but after getting ripped off by £250 for a shit job i do it myself. Warranty is up now and i never needed to claim on it anyway.

dyzio · #14 Post by **dyzio** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:34 pm

Thanks guys,
I did the minor services on the SV myself and I've got the manual and it's well described but draining the oil from 2 places did surprise me.

Ok, so does the oil look good? + the upgrade filter and basicaly that's it (as plugs don't need to be changed till the next service).

Cheers

Aladinsaneuk · #15 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Mon May 04, 2009 9:13 pm

even if not due, i would pull them - and see how they are - guess i am a bit anal but i like to put a day to one side and do all that stuff

(I know I am resealing my evo kit this week so will also lift at least one plug from each cylinder just to see - and will lift all fout to clean and check gaps if i think it is necessary....)