Hey guys I was wondering how often you guys bleed your brakes, and the shocks and just do overall general maintenance(oil, coolant, etc.). And can anyone help me with how to bleed brakes and shocks, it seems complicated can someone please break it down for me. Thanks

 

I'm not aware of a shock bleeding procedure. Shocks aren't normally bled. They're usually serviced where the fluid and seals are replaced. This should be done every 12k miles or so but many skimp on this.

Your question is very broad. Here's what I do (other's maintenance schedules may vary) - units are in miles. In some cases, I do certain things more often than the recommended interval:

- clean and lube chain - 500
- oil and filter- 4k
- synch throttle bodies/carbs - 8k
- change coolant - 8k (I use water and water wetter, not antifreeze)
- replace brake fluid 8k (4k during track season)
- service forks and rear shock - 12k
- check/adjust valve clearances- 16k
- bleed brakes - as needed
- replace brake pads/rotors - as needed
- replace chain/sprockets - as needed
- replace tires - as needed
- go to track - as wallet allows

 

You are never going to get iddentical answers for this, so I will give you my service schedule.
Oil and filter: 2500-3000 miles
Clean and lube chain: 500-600 miles
Airfilter: Every 4th oil change
Plugs: 16000 miles
Check valve clearance: 16000 miles
Bleed Brake fluid: 12000 miles
Flush Coolant: 16000 miles
Synch Throttle bodies: 16000 miles
Replace brake pads, tires: as needed ( tires are generally one front for every two rears)
Replace fork seals and inspect forks: 16000 miles

Again, I don't think anyone will have the same schedule. When in doubt refer to the owners/service manuals.

 

Oil and Filter: 2,500 - 3,000 miles

Clean, Lube and if necessary, adjust chain: 600 miles

Plugs replace: 6,000 miles (getting them in and out is the work, so why mess with using a steel brush to clean the old ones...even if they look fine.)

Brake Pads Replace: This weekend with nearly 10k on the odometer. Bought the bike used so not sure if they have been replaced from stock or not.
(No scoring on the rotors...so...this weekend, and at that time with 10,000+ miles will be fine.)

Haven't had my bike long to check valve clearances, cam chain, etc....probably will let a good mechanic do it, as I hate checking valves on a sportbike. Too many things to remove. Just my veiw. Will probably do this at 15-16,000 miles.

Just had all the plumbing and the carbs synched 2,000 miles ago...so...

 

Thank you for the responses guys that is very helpful. But what is valve clearance? What are you checking for and what do u do if it needs adjusting

 

Valve clearance is the distance between the end of the valve and tappet/adjustor.

Good article here...

http://www.dansmc.com/valveclearence.htm

 

Bleeding your brakes is easy, attach a piece of clear vinyl hose (Home Depot $3) to the bleeder valve on the caliper (small metal opening directly over a small nut, usually 8mm, and covered by a rubber dust cap). Loosen the nut under the bleeder 1/2 turn. Apply brake fully, you will see brake fluid enter the tube. Tighten nut. Release brake. Repeat. Keep filling the master cylinder with fresh fluid as you do it, if it sucks in air you will have to start all over. Usually the old fluid is darker than the fresh stuff so its obvious when you're done, if you do get air in the lines, keep going until you see no more bubbles coming out. IMPORTANT: Test the brakes, if you got any air in the lines, the brakes will feel soft and you will not stop.

 

Here's an example on a 600RR (its almost identical on your bike):
http://cbrworld.net/forums/thread/248256.aspx