Eville Rich
Well-Known Member
I'm posting this to share my experience with recent maintenance done by Tabasco, aka Jaxon. A rather well known forum member, located in Texas, USA.
In mid-November I trailered my S10 from WI down to Texas. It was a long haul, but my S10 was due for at least a valve check (28k miles). I'd finished up a trip to Colorado and back for work and bit of fun, and she was not in the best of shape. Both Jaxon and I laughed about the state of the tires - totally worn out Pirelli Scorpion Trail II. I'm getting those replaced now with the same. They gave the last of their tread to that Colorado trip and were done at a bit over 10k miles.
Anyway, I reached out to Tabasco and he was generous enough to get through the long laundry list of things that I could/should do with the bike. In the end, I asked him for the following:
1) Valve check and adjustment if needed,
2) Check the steering bearings and lube, plus drain/fill the oil,
3) Install a manual CCT (per his recommendation, while we're in there),
4) Install a Barnett clutch pressure plate (also recommended, while we're in there),
5) Replace the spark plugs with NGK platinums,
6) Change oil/filter after and replace the air filter.
I dropped the bike off along with all the parts. A good long discussion about maintenance. I still have more to do, let's leave it at that. I went off for a week to Arizona for a work thing. I stored the trailer at a nearby u-haul that rented secured parking (a modest additional expense related to my logistics).
I have to give big props to Jaxon - he said he's provide documentation along the way. I got regular text updates with every service status. That included the status of the valves, several of which were out of spec. I asked him to proceed with the valve adjustment, which is not a casual job. I'm not going to into details about my air filter, but let's just say it was not OK. And my valves had some carbon build-up, likely due to not running it hard enough or being diligent about Sea Foam. I have some room for improvement in my day-to-day and other maintenance.
I returned to Texas after my work thing and found my bike in better-than-new condition. Not only did all the work get done, but he also adjusted my throttle bodies. And the bike was sparkling shiny - clean across everything. I learned something about SC2 and have ordered some to use on other bikes in my fleet. Also that I have a scratch and possible crack in my right footstand mount, which I'd been unaware of, possible due to the build-up of dirt/dust (I'm looking into that). He generously went over a few things and gave me guidance for doing my own future maintenance.
My major goal was really just the valve work. I've got limited confidence in my local dealer and I really wanted to make sure things got done right. The added bonus was the wealth of information and advice, along with a deep look at the bike and its condition. How does it run now? Better than it ever has. I'm not exaggerating. Even from new, it never felt quite like it "wanted" to pull much beyond 6k (it would, just not like it wanted to). In my short test ride, it felt smoother across the RPM range and quite happy to get to 7k+. The Barnett pressure plate really did improve the feel of the clutch, and also how the clutch engaged with the engine - the original OEM pressure plate showed some signs of wear and it would often give me some "chatter" feeling at lower RPM, along with an occasional lag feeling in engagement. Jaxon's advice was spot-on and not something I would have done otherwise.
I've also got a ton of documentation on all the work, courtesy of Jaxon. He said he would as part of his standard practice and he delivered. Everything to get a picture got one. Except the cleaning - that was a pleasant surprise. I knew that going to Jaxon was about receiving a premium service and he really delivered that. Far beyond anything I've experienced at dealerships or other independent shops. With valve checks at long intervals, the long drive down to Texas was an effort, but also not something that needs to happen a lot. I'd do it again.
I've got more work to-do on my own. Tires are first. Then the foot peg issue and brake bleeding. I need to lube my swingarm bearing and driveshaft, and get ready to replace my rear brake pads. He could have done all that, but I need to have my own fun and excuses for digging into the forum and FSM.
Anyway, I hope this is useful for someone considering whether to avail themselves of Tabasco's services. He did a great job. Oh yeah, he's also a really nice guy, evidenced by his putting up with my foolishness.
Cheers,
Eville Rich
2016 S10
In mid-November I trailered my S10 from WI down to Texas. It was a long haul, but my S10 was due for at least a valve check (28k miles). I'd finished up a trip to Colorado and back for work and bit of fun, and she was not in the best of shape. Both Jaxon and I laughed about the state of the tires - totally worn out Pirelli Scorpion Trail II. I'm getting those replaced now with the same. They gave the last of their tread to that Colorado trip and were done at a bit over 10k miles.
Anyway, I reached out to Tabasco and he was generous enough to get through the long laundry list of things that I could/should do with the bike. In the end, I asked him for the following:
1) Valve check and adjustment if needed,
2) Check the steering bearings and lube, plus drain/fill the oil,
3) Install a manual CCT (per his recommendation, while we're in there),
4) Install a Barnett clutch pressure plate (also recommended, while we're in there),
5) Replace the spark plugs with NGK platinums,
6) Change oil/filter after and replace the air filter.
I dropped the bike off along with all the parts. A good long discussion about maintenance. I still have more to do, let's leave it at that. I went off for a week to Arizona for a work thing. I stored the trailer at a nearby u-haul that rented secured parking (a modest additional expense related to my logistics).
I have to give big props to Jaxon - he said he's provide documentation along the way. I got regular text updates with every service status. That included the status of the valves, several of which were out of spec. I asked him to proceed with the valve adjustment, which is not a casual job. I'm not going to into details about my air filter, but let's just say it was not OK. And my valves had some carbon build-up, likely due to not running it hard enough or being diligent about Sea Foam. I have some room for improvement in my day-to-day and other maintenance.
I returned to Texas after my work thing and found my bike in better-than-new condition. Not only did all the work get done, but he also adjusted my throttle bodies. And the bike was sparkling shiny - clean across everything. I learned something about SC2 and have ordered some to use on other bikes in my fleet. Also that I have a scratch and possible crack in my right footstand mount, which I'd been unaware of, possible due to the build-up of dirt/dust (I'm looking into that). He generously went over a few things and gave me guidance for doing my own future maintenance.
My major goal was really just the valve work. I've got limited confidence in my local dealer and I really wanted to make sure things got done right. The added bonus was the wealth of information and advice, along with a deep look at the bike and its condition. How does it run now? Better than it ever has. I'm not exaggerating. Even from new, it never felt quite like it "wanted" to pull much beyond 6k (it would, just not like it wanted to). In my short test ride, it felt smoother across the RPM range and quite happy to get to 7k+. The Barnett pressure plate really did improve the feel of the clutch, and also how the clutch engaged with the engine - the original OEM pressure plate showed some signs of wear and it would often give me some "chatter" feeling at lower RPM, along with an occasional lag feeling in engagement. Jaxon's advice was spot-on and not something I would have done otherwise.
I've also got a ton of documentation on all the work, courtesy of Jaxon. He said he would as part of his standard practice and he delivered. Everything to get a picture got one. Except the cleaning - that was a pleasant surprise. I knew that going to Jaxon was about receiving a premium service and he really delivered that. Far beyond anything I've experienced at dealerships or other independent shops. With valve checks at long intervals, the long drive down to Texas was an effort, but also not something that needs to happen a lot. I'd do it again.
I've got more work to-do on my own. Tires are first. Then the foot peg issue and brake bleeding. I need to lube my swingarm bearing and driveshaft, and get ready to replace my rear brake pads. He could have done all that, but I need to have my own fun and excuses for digging into the forum and FSM.
Anyway, I hope this is useful for someone considering whether to avail themselves of Tabasco's services. He did a great job. Oh yeah, he's also a really nice guy, evidenced by his putting up with my foolishness.
Cheers,
Eville Rich
2016 S10
