How I averted a major expense at my Yamaha R15's 8th service

Kilometer wise the bike had only clocked 1530 km after the previous service. This is the lowest kilometer wise usage ever between PM.

BHPian sasta_rider recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Averted a Major Expense on 8th Periodic Service:

In this post, I will write down about the experience of escaping from a major expense on my R15's 8th periodic (paid) service at Bengaluru.

Date: 13-Oct-2024 (Sunday)

Service Location: Vinayak Yamaha, Domlur

The last PM was done at 20632 km, during mid-June which I have posted here. To those who do not know, I have a four wheeler as well with me at Bengaluru and since it was monsoon, whenever I start my bike, it used to start drizzling outside. Due to my OCD, I refrained myself from taking her out, even on weekends.

In the month of Jul-2024 & Aug-2024, I had to travel to hometown with my 4W due to family functions, which made my R15 alone for 21 days and 14 days respectively. When I had come back after functions, I could feel the brakes had faded, which is obvious. When she was idle all these days, the moisture had entered the brake lines due to which the brake bite was not as it was supposed to. However, upon running for few kilometers, the pressure build up would come back to normal and the brake was working fine.

By the end of September, I had to keep my 4W at hometown as family had travel plans. So, this gave me a good opportunity to take my R15 for office commutes, leisure rides & weekend getaway. During this time, I had to hard break on 2-3 occasions when I felt the front brake was giving me jerks (resisting the braking). I felt a little awkward and then ignored. The next day, just to check, I tried to sudden brake on empty road and still the issue was persistent. Then flashbacks of bike being idle, brake fluid being deteriorated stuck my mind. I will be travelling to hometown this time by bike for three weeks and anyhow wanted to get the periodic service done: kilometer wise the bike had only clocked 1530 km after the previous service. This is the lowest kilometer wise usage ever between PM.

So, on 13-Oct, I took her all the way to Domlur. Saturday they were on holiday due to the festival around. And on Sundays, they are open half-day. This time, the SA was Mr. Nasir, who was quick enough to get the job card done. I briefed him about the resistance in front brake while braking and after a quick test ride, he informed me that the ABS unit motor might have failed which will require a replacement. Since this part is not fast moving item, it would take few days for them to order and get shipped. So, my travel will have to be done by public transport (which I hate). Curiously, I enquired about the price and he said "Sir, it will cost around ₹16000/- for the part including labor". For few seconds, I counted stars and then asked him if there is anything that can be done to avoid replacement but make it to work somehow? He replied that it all depends on the diagnosis report that we get from the system. Mentally, I was prepared for this expense.

Now, the same day, there was a mechanic who used to join us on the weekend breakfast rides (a.k.a Vi-Riders). I silently went to the service bay, said him that this is the case and what can be done. That is when he informed me that he will take care of my bike. After draining the entire fluid from the brakeline (overhauling), they will do the diagnosis. If the system gives go-ahead, my pocket will be saved. Else, there is no other way. I acknowledged and then returned back to Whitefield as getting the bike delivered the same day was not possible.

Once back home, I checked our platform for any similar reported issue and came across a thread by @5haS_0209. This is when I found that what-if I can claim warranty? But then, remained silent waiting for a callback from the SA today (14-Oct).

I was busy in WFH today afternoon and I got a call from the SA "Sir, your R15 is ready and you can come to pick it today noon". First thing I asked "Sir, how much is the final bill?". The final bill turned out to be ₹2576/-. Since I had opted for 1 year Annual Maintenance Contract, I got a discount of ₹200/- and I had to pay ₹2376/- in total. A big sigh of relief!

Below is the invoice, diagnosis report and my R15 fresh-from-the-showroom look:

The "OIL PLUS" is what the fresh brake fluid & the "Disc Brake overhauling" is the labor charge for the work carried out, professionally!

Total amount which I had to pay

Diagnosis report, which looks normal.

I have decided to live with the "broken fairing" for the time being. All thanks to the 'nazar' (evil eye)!

The machine, which was properly pampered by the ASC!

On 16-Oct, I will be travelling to my new home at Mangaluru, planning to write a post on this too, if rain does not bother me during the ride. Excited and happy to go on my "usual" home-run like before after a four month long break for my R15! This is all about the eighth periodic service

Thank you for reading! Ride safe.

Sud!

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