Routine maintenance on new-to-me GW250F

[Pickwick]

There's not much going on here so I thought I'd post.

Just finishing up my routine maintenance on the 2015 GW250F I just bought (2200 miles), of course with no maintenance history.  Oil & filter, brake fluid, plugs, throttle cable adjustment, air filter check, air cleaner drain plug.

No real issues.  I didn't have the proper oil filter wrench so had to use my smallest strap wrench with a strip of neoprene inside to grip and take up the slack.  Was only able to tighten the filter 1 7/8 turns but I suppose that's close enough to two turns.  I set up a shop light near my right foot, straddle the bike and hold it vertical, and check the oil level sight glass with an extension mirror.

Eight year old brake fluid is really nasty.  This GW250F is eight years old and it doesn't look like anything has been done since day one.  One odd thing that looked deliberate:  there were several ml of brake fluid on top of the black seals, which were almost fully extended down into the master cylinders. 

I had to take eight plastic panels off to get to the air filter.  I was able to remove it--as I expected, it looked almost new and I'll reinstall it--without disconnecting the fuel or electric lines to the tank; I propped the tank up at an angle to the left side and tied a rope between a bracket on the tank and the right handgrip to make sure I wasn't holding the (mostly drained) tank up by the fuel line. 

I was only able to get two quarts, minus a couple tablespoons, of coolant in, and even loosened the breather bolt in the water pump to make sure the air was gone.  I may leave the right cover off long enough to ride ten miles and then recheck the level.

Work remaining (besides reinstalling all the covers):  clean and lube the chain, once I get a rear stand or at least make a secure prop for the right side of the swingarm to hold the tire off the floor.  Tires of course are original, both manufactured in mid-2014, so I'll change them in late winter; maybe by waiting I'll get a newer mfr date, and there are likely only another four or five good riding days left this year anyway.

[Opel]

Looks like you've had some fun there! 

One thing I've found is that my bike's MPG is very susceptible to the valve gaps being within spec. In twelve months and 7000 miles, I've checked and adjusted them twice. On both occasions the INLET gaps had become tight, while the exhaust gaps had hardly moved. This is the opposite to what I'd have expected but it is what has be found. (3K intervals for a reason I suppose!). After adjustment, fuel economy increased slightly, then fell back after a while.

It's a bit of an involved process and not for the faint of heart but a must do in my humble opinion. The biggest pain is remembering how to unclip the fuel hose from beneath the tank but once mastered, it is easy.

Regarding brakes. Both front and rear calipers on mine were getting stuck and dragging when I bought it, so new seals were fitted. I couldn't believe the 'sludge' in the front one, it was so bad that the passage between the two pistons was nearly blocked. This was after 5400 miles from new on a  2016 registered bike with service history. (I'm afraid that I don't have much faith in dealer 'services'. I'm sure there are good one's out there doing a good job, but they seem to be the minority).

Anyway, I suspect that buying low mileage bikes is a good idea in the long run but only if you're prepared to check everything over and keep up the servicing. It would seem you are definitely on top of yours!

Good look and enjoy the ride! 

[WaffleHouse]

I see this is about a month old, but I'll add my two cents.
I took the tank off ONCE, but just checked the valve clearances
again (right intake a bit loose) withOUT removing the tank.
It is quite doable and hopefully knowing that it CAN be done will
enable anyone trying to do it...to do it successfully.
Valve cover came out the RIGHT side of the engine.
I removed the charcoal canister & unbolted the coolant reservoir
to access the valve cover bolts.
Um, I should probably mention that I removed those chrome covers
above the spark plugs a long time ago, so that may have been a
factor in the ability to remove the valve cover without removing the tank.
I hope this helps.

[Opel]

Nice one. Will have to try with tank on. Fortunately no charcoal contraption on mine.