Exhausts and Engine » Simple Service

As my RS is approaching its 3rd birthday (delivery to me, that is, not when it left the factory) and my time over the next couple of weeks will be tight, I took the morning to do the simple service on the motor.

If anything, it is as easy, if not a bit easier, than the oil head motor.

The sump plug is a large 10 mm Allen Head (vs 8mm previously). The oil filter uses the "time honoured" spanner that worked on the Oilheads. There is a little bit of "fluffing" around in removing the X-heads (1 extra T-25) but this is balanced by 1 less T-50 cover bolt. Access for valve clearances is "reasonable" but not as clean and easy as the Oilhead. As it happens 1 valve on each cam is easy peasy; and the other, well a bit more of a challenge to feed the feeler gauge(s) between the cam lobe and the follower.

On the oil heads the recommended method to turn over the motor was to undo the front plate and use a spanner on the crank shaft end. You were also expected to remove a rubber bung on the right side just forward of the throttle body to get access to the marks on the flywheel. (Woe to those who might have pushed it into the motor!!) In practice one would rotate the motor by turning the back wheel (both spark plugs out) and using a probe (in my case a plastic drinking straw or a wooden skewer) to locate TDC. This is the RS method.

Cap / coil removal and spark plug removal is terrific. The low tension leads unclip as intended. With a puller, the coil comes right out. The plugs do require a thin wall 14mm 3/8ths socket, but their environment is fully sealed, and all is clean and debris free, even more than the Oilheads which did a good job in that area too.

Oil filter replacement is less time consuming on the RS as you just can't reasonably fill it with oil prior to screwing it back on. Oh well, one less task.

And the best single improvement? I actually have a funnel that fits properly and securely into the oil filler and drains quickly into the engine! The result, far less spillage onto the garage floor.

I will make some time over the next couple of days to do the other bits (air filter and check front brake pad wear). I know the air cleaner will require body parts to be removed, but at least these are more accessible than on the "S", and it is pretty quick with the Milwaukee electric screwdriver.

By the way, it is very much more convenient to buy a dedicated T25 driver than to use the removable tip versions, due to their lack of weight and very slim design, especially when you can't get the power driver into position quickly (eg for removing the winglets).

When I bought the RS it was my first new bike for over 20 years (the Oilhead was second hand, and I had my TRX 850 for 5 years). I was intimidated by it - to a degree. With the help and encouragement of Grumpy Goat on removing the bodywork (none of which was needed for this service, yet) the RS became familiar- bit by bit. GG was a "coach" for the "deflowering" of the brand new bike on its "wedding night". Still grateful GG!!

The RS is so well thought out that nothing which is ordinarily required to be done to maintain it will cause the air in your garage to turn blue provided you have the usual tools.

none of this made sense but I am so impressed. what I think this is about is that the RS is a very good bike, agree. I can check the oil and water level, tyres and fill it up with petrol.

Graham

I have a set of feeler gauges that were made with a 45 deg. bend. They make getting in there a little easier.

Frank

I did not undertake all of the service at the one time, and the last bit of work (leaving aside brake bleeding which I may or may not do soon) was to change the rear drive oil.
On the older "S" I always had a problem with the oil draining onto the wheel and tyre. Because the RS has the threaded bosses which mount the GS mudguard, I decided to bend up a catch plate from some aluminium (see below).

The drain plug is a T47. The filler plug is 8 mm hex.

I have a 200 ml syringe which made filling the housing very easy.

Plate.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Looking at the photo, I realize that I should wash the RS soon. The spring rains have not come so far....