DIY 18K service

[Chris61]

My 2017 XR is coming up to its 18,000 mile/annual service and would like to service it myself, including the tappet clearance check.

I have serviced my bikes for a number of years, I'm not a mechanic just handy with a spanner.
Already I have the Haynes manual, 4 NGK spark plugs and 4 litres of Motul 7100 4T 5w-40 engine oil, plus a few spanners etc.
Has anyone here carried out the service or advice? How hard can it be 

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Chris61

My 2017 XR is coming up to its 18,000 mile/annual service and would like to service it myself, including the tappet clearance check.

I have serviced my bikes for a number of years, I'm not a mechanic just handy with a spanner.
Already I have the Haynes manual, 4 NGK spark plugs and 4 litres of Motul 7100 4T 5w-40 engine oil, plus a few spanners etc.
Has anyone here carried out the service or advice? How hard can it be 

Not very. Just PITA spending 2 hours removing plastics and putting them back, biggest tip: piece of cardboard with outlines of the fairings marked up, poke the screws through the sketches where you got the screws from.

You will have to remove everything from tank, airbox, injectors, throttle bodies to get at the valve cover, I think you dont HAVE TO take off the radiator shroud but it helps with access. Preferably drain your coolant first (part of 18k service) and then do you valves after, this can allow taking the radiator off or at least out of the way for even more access.

[brickit]

Also check the routing of cables and pipes before dis-assembling.
It is easy to put the airbox & throttle bodies back on and then find they have to come off again because you've routed a cable badly.
For a modest price, Mark Barrett, who wrote the manual, might let you use his facilities and guide you through the whole process. That's what I did. I could have managed myself, maybe,  but there would have been a lot more collateral damage.
Might be worth a shout on mark@marksmotorcycleparts.co.uk 

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Chris61

My 2017 XR is coming up to its 18,000 mile/annual service and would like to service it myself, including the tappet clearance check.

I have serviced my bikes for a number of years, I'm not a mechanic just handy with a spanner.
Already I have the Haynes manual, 4 NGK spark plugs and 4 litres of Motul 7100 4T 5w-40 engine oil, plus a few spanners etc.
Has anyone here carried out the service or advice? How hard can it be 

Although unlikely...what will you do if/when the valve clearance is incorrect..?? You need a special shim kit and the cams need to come out to rectify.

Smithy.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by smithy

Although unlikely...what will you do if/when the valve clearance is incorrect..?? You need a special shim kit and the cams need to come out to rectify.

Smithy.

XR uses standard 8.9mm shims, not all that special. can be had for 2-3 quid a pop for what you need or 60-80 for a set

[AdzventureXR]

The throttle body clamps are probably the biggest pain. I re used them for my 1st service. 2nd time just got 9mm hose clamps. You'll need the tool for removing the coils as well.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by Antares

XR uses standard 8.9mm shims, not all that special. can be had for 2-3 quid a pop for what you need or 60-80 for a set

True...but if you need them and don't have, you may be in a spot of bother. I bought the full set...~$100 Aussie sheckles. One of mine was very close to the limit at the 30k km service so probably need doing at the 60k km service. I'll be making them all in the "mid-range" during the service. Probably don't really need to....but because I can.

Smithy.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by AdzventureXR

The throttle body clamps are probably the biggest pain. I re used them for my 1st service. 2nd time just got 9mm hose clamps. You'll need the tool for removing the coils as well.

Oh yea this, just ditch the OE clamps, get some hose clamps and angle them so you can get in there with a a 1/4 socket with some extensions or a long screwdriver, will save you a lot of pain in the ass in the future.

[bazzer]

Yes the standard throttle body clamps are a pain in the bum :-) I replaced with the Alpha Racing clamps.

You are meant to check the cam timing with the BMW tool as well.

It's all in all not a hard job just time consuming. Getting plastics off, gets quicker the more times you do it :-)

[Chris61]

Many thanks for your advice. I've decided I'm going to carry out the service myself. I am retired so time is not a problem, I would prefere to be out riding it but I do get satisfaction from doing my own servicing.
 Hopefully all the tappet clearances will be within tolerance......if not (plan B)I will either take it to a mechanic or read up and do it myself. I removed the camshafts and adjusted shims on a Yamaha Fazer 1000 a few years ago, so shouldn't be a big problem.

Yes its meant to be checked BUT Does anyone check the cam timing?

To renew the throttle body clamps....What diameter clamps are they?

When I come to renew the air filter...whats best, a standard one or is a K&N filter advised?