DIY General Maintenance

[gilbee]

I did my own oil change for the first time yesterday and i was scouring the internet for resources and i found a few great links
http://vimeo.com/20618680
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y44LG0KtPfI
the first one was great, but it didn't show me a few things, for example: How the heck do i lift the bike to where i can remove the rear wheel safely without the scooter falling over on me?
and how much oil do i need to put back into the bike? how do i get it back into the bike?
the second series of videos are great, but i understand now that it is for a different model, as the dip stick isn't located on the rear of the engine and the point of engine oil input isn't a located on the bottom outside corner of the engine.

thankfully, after about 3 hours and a little ingenuity, i completed this seemingly simple task.

i lifted my scooter this way (hopefully in a way that i didn't damage the engine or any other components)


and i input the engine oil in the dipstick point.
easy peasy japaneasie.

i guess my real question is, is there any general maintenance write ups out there for my 2012 4t stella? and if so, where are they? because i spent a whole lot of time doing research where a simple write up would have saved me a giant headache and my sunday afternoon.

clearly labeled write ups would be nice.
Oil and oil filter change, air filter changing and cleaning, how to clean your jets, how to check your spark plugs, tools needed and amounts of liquids needed for each specific year and model, etc.

i probably should have just taken it back into my local maintenance guy, but i felt it important to learn this stuff my self.

thanks in advance guys!

Jason-
2012 Stella 4t
Tustin, CA

[jason]

You're in exactly the same spot I am. I'm trying to piece together everything myself but there's not a whole lot to go on.

The shop I could take it to overcharges so I'm doing it on my own.

I was able to do nearly everything for the 500 mile tuneup except Valve clearance and Control cable adjustment.

I found the tool you need to do the clearance adjustment, though:
Tappet Tool Set

As for everything else, I'm kind of just taking notes as I do it on my own.

If you have questions or figure something out , let me know. Maybe we can create an unofficial guide.

[gilbee]

You're in exactly the same spot I am. I'm trying to piece together everything myself but there's not a whole lot to go on.

The shop I could take it to overcharges so I'm doing it on my own.

I was able to do nearly everything for the 500 mile tuneup except Valve clearance and Control cable adjustment.

I found the tool you need to do the clearance adjustment, though:
Tappet Tool Set

As for everything else, I'm kind of just taking notes as I do it on my own.

If you have questions or figure something out , let me know. Maybe we can create an unofficial guide.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one. I would love to collaborate on a write up that includes pictures, spacific tools and measurements needed for each task. And then I'm sure that we can get a moderator to post it somewhere that is clearly labeled and easy to find for those looking for it in search engines. It'll take some work, but I'm sure we can get it done.

[slotrod65]

I am getting a Stella 4T in just over a month, and plan on doing all of my own work. I would love to see steps for basic maintenance like this. There does not appear to be much out there for the 4T.

[gilbee]

I am getting a Stella 4T in just over a month, and plan on doing all of my own work. I would love to see steps for basic maintenance like this. There does not appear to be much out there for the 4T.

You've made the right decision by joining this forum. Welcome!
I've had my stella for almost a year now with just about 3500 miles put away. I did tons of research before I bought. So good job! You'll have tons of fun on the bike!
I think if we create enough demand for the guides, we can make it happen! I would live to do it my self and I feel that I can make a really good one, however I don't have all the technical details needed to make a correctly done write up. I'll be making one for that quick basket I have shown above soon.

[magnato1]

You're in exactly the same spot I am. I'm trying to piece together everything myself but there's not a whole lot to go on.

The shop I could take it to overcharges so I'm doing it on my own.

I was able to do nearly everything for the 500 mile tuneup except Valve clearance and Control cable adjustment.

I found the tool you need to do the clearance adjustment, though:
Tappet Tool Set

As for everything else, I'm kind of just taking notes as I do it on my own.

If you have questions or figure something out , let me know. Maybe we can create an unofficial guide.

You're supposed to have the first service done by the dealer, voids your warranty if you don't, at least that's what I read over and over on this forum. Good on ya for doing your own work, but if you want it to be covered by warranty later, probably a good idea to have someone do the first service for you.

[slotrod65]

A Genuine Warranty is posted here in the MB FAQs & Guides section.:

http://www.modernbuddy.com/pdf/genuine_warranty.pdf

Although it mentions that maintenance must be performed and recorded during the warranty period, it does not state that it must be performed by an authorized dealer.

Based on the wording, it appears that doing your own maintenance does not void your warranty.

Does anyone have any documentation otherwise?

[slotrod65]

RECALL: I originally posted a maintenance schedule here, but Silver Streak pointed out to me that this was not for the STELLA, so I have removed it to avoid any confusion. Sorry for the mess, and thanks Silver Streak!

[slotrod65]

This official Genuine Dealer video showing a Stella 4T 500 miles checkup is in the Manuals, Service Manuals, Parts, Ephemera section of the MB FAQs & Guides area of this forum.

It shows oil changes step by step.

http://vimeo.com/20618680


Also, here is the official Genuine Stella Dealer Prep video for the Stella 2T mentioned at the beginning of the 4T video above. I thought it was pretty interesting even though it is primarily for the 2 stroke 2T.

http://vimeo.com/982237

[jason]

You're supposed to have the first service done by the dealer, voids your warranty if you don't, at least that's what I read over and over on this forum. Good on ya for doing your own work, but if you want it to be covered by warranty later, probably a good idea to have someone do the first service for you.

The only licensed shop was trying to greatly over charge and I refused to go through them after having been screwed on a few other things.

I also have a group of friends with Stella experience and self-maintenance skills to fall back on, so in my situation it was worth it to do the work myself.

[jason]

I also have the shop manual, but it's 34mb. Hit me up if you're interested and I'll throw it up on dropbox or something.

[Sach]

A Genuine Warranty is posted here in the MB FAQs & Guides section.:
http://www.modernbuddy.com/pdf/genuine_warranty.pdf
Although it mentions that maintenance must be performed and recorded during the warranty period, it does not state that it must be performed by an authorized dealer.
Based on the wording, it appears that doing your own maintenance does not void your warranty.

That is consistent with the Magnason/Moss Warranty act. I believe it has been on the books since the 90's. A manufacturer can't put restrictions on a warranty like that. I have discussed this topic before in a Honda forum, but can't find a link to it. If in the event you have a refusal of a warranty claim based on failure to use their dealer, I would consult the statute and the consumer statutes for your state.

I would avoid a dealer for service, at least all post first service. I have never brought a motorcycle or scoot in for service. When ever I buy one from a dealer, I immediately drain all oils and service it myself, as I don't know if they topped it off too much, put wrong oil in, etc. The allegedly reputable bike dealer in my area that sells scoots has parts department personnel that do not even know what rollers area. I would never trust a bike my wife rides to them.

[Silver Streak]

I did pick up this maintenance schedule. But I do not remember where I pinched it from...

This table does not appear to be for a Stella, as one of the notes says:
"Items with "*" mark indicate our recommendation to have it done by PGO dealer."

The Stella is manufactured by LML, not PGO.

Also, the table refers to checking the "v-belt."

No v-belts on a Stella.

[jason]

I have posted the Stella 4T service schedule: http://imgur.com/a/AOQGN


I have the full thing in a torrent along with the Shop Manual. Private message me if you're interested in getting those.

[gilbee]

i think we lost track of the topic. we want to put together DIY maintenance instructions for simple things like changing/cleaning the air filter, oil filter, jets, spark plugs, break pads, how to jack the bike without damaging it... normal maintenance specific to the 4t.

on that note, i'm trying to clean my air filter today, can someone help me out with a diagram or something to help me along so i don't screw something up?

[jason]

i think we lost track of the topic. we want to put together DIY maintenance instructions for simple things like changing/cleaning the air filter, oil filter, jets, spark plugs, break pads, how to jack the bike without damaging it... normal maintenance specific to the 4t.

on that note, i'm trying to clean my air filter today, can someone help me out with a diagram or something to help me along so i don't screw something up?

This is why I'm trying to share out the Shop Manual. Pretty much everything is in there. Here's the page on air filter cleaning:

http://imgur.com/a/ZQQWp

[slotrod65]

Thanks Silver Streak!! I removed the incorrect maintenance chart.