Trying To Figure Out My First 20 Hours

[Ranger]

Hey everyone,

I'm from Virginia and just bought a Big Red a few weeks ago. I've had a Honda Foreman and still have a Rubicon. You just can't beat a Honda.

I've been customizing my ride to suit me. I put a plexiglass windshield on which can be taken loose on the sides and raised up out of the way for shooting when I hunt. (I'm disabled.) I installed a backup light, made a door for my glove box so the stuff won't fall out when I'm going up steep hills. And, boy, does it go up steep hills! I took some conduit and made a rounded frame on top and put a canvas roof on it. I have stuff zip tied and velcro'ed all over the inside: Knife, pistol holster, clock, a place for my Thermocel bug repeller, and put a small crate under the hood to hold some straps and stuff. I want to fix up a rifle holder so my gun can stand up between the seats for quick use. I guess all I need after that is a kitchen sink and I can live in it!

The dealer told me to bring it in after 20 hours for an oil change and some adjustments. Well, I tried to keep track of the time, but I lost count. I own my own land and just piddle around on it a few minutes at a time going here and there, and driving to my dad's and two of my brothers that live within an 1/8 of a mile from me on an old dirt road. The only thing I can figure to do is go by how much gas I've used to tell how much time I have spent driving on it. I have used 1/2 tank so far. Anyone have a guess as to how that works out hourly?

I sure appreciate any replies, and I'm tickled to have found this site.

[Missile]

Not sure on how many hours per tank of fuel it would work out to. I installed a digital meter for this very reason. I could not believe the BR did not even have a hour meter. I would think you would be safe to just decide on a time and take it in. Like when it is 6 months old or 1 yr old. I have not checked into what they do at the first 20hrs service but if they are adjusting valves that is way to fast. I would think the valves wouldn't be touched until at least 100.

[Ranger]

Originally Posted by Missile

Not sure on how many hours per tank of fuel it would work out to. I installed a digital meter for this very reason. I could not believe the BR did not even have a hour meter. I would think you would be safe to just decide on a time and take it in. Like when it is 6 months old or 1 yr old. I have not checked into what they do at the first 20hrs service but if they are adjusting valves that is way to fast. I would think the valves wouldn't be touched until at least 100.

I figured for the price they could have put a digital readout of hours, mph, miles and what gear you are in like the Rubicon has. But they didn't.

Yeah, adjusting the valves is what they want to do at 20 hours. I'm not much of a motor mechanic so I wouldn't know about when or how to do that stuff. I only know they said if I didn't do it my warranty could be made void.

So how long have you had your BR? You picture looks cool. Just like mine!

[Missile]

Only had it for about a week. My buddy bought one in 09 the very first one in this area. The dealer we use is very down to earth. He told him to adjust the valves at around 100 hrs. I tore it down and did it for him they were right on the money no adjustment needed. I will probably wait until I hear a rattle from mine or 150hrs which ever comes first. I can tell you first hand that sometimes you get charged for a valve adjustment and they don't touch it they will listen to it and if it doesn't rattle they charge you for it. The warranty deal they would have to prove the valve adjustment caused the damage. Anytime a dealer tells me he will void my warranty for something I do, I challenge him and win. Just got through fighting with Harley on some warranty work not my fought they sold me a unlimited mileage extended warranty. I put more miles on my bike in a year than most do on their car. I just had a major round with my Harley dealer because I was running Royal Purple Oil in my bike. The service writer assured me he would void my warranty and no more work would be done on my bike. He stated royal purple caused my bearing to fail. He went from service writer to sweeping floors and I think he is going to get fired now that other people have started reporting what he was telling them he would do with their warranty. I hate that for him but he should know his job.

[Horticattleman]

I bought a simple hourmeter that has a wire that wraps around the spark plug wire. I mounted it behind the seat.

FWIW, I've been tru 1 tank of gas so far and I'm at 16 hrs.