went Southern Cross today... but were too busy !!

mine's in on Tuesday for valve clearance, my first time.

just waiting for it now. Didn't have a courtesy bike though, apparently they lost the log book and tax run out. Needed head bearings and fork seals and been told rear brake needs doing and valve stem seals will need doing soon too

yep

Well, as I have read on here and other forums......

The guys at Southern Cross are very good on customer service. I noticed earlier in the week that the right pillion hanger was missing a bolt so swapped a bolt and took the left one off. Told the guy at SC and he sorted me a spare one. They also adjusted my suspension, it's a bit softer at the back which I'm not sure I like yet but we'll see when I go for a proper ride. They were happy to chat to me about the bike in general and seemed a really nice bunch. The bike seems to be a tiny bit better than it was when it went in, but tbh it's not as noticeable as previous bikes post service - I think it had been serviced fairly recently anyway. They replaced head bearings and fork seals (see below about fork seals)

On a slightly negative spin. I was promised a courtesy bike, then just before I left to take my bike in I was phoned (twice cause I missed the first call) to say that the courtesy bike had no tax and was missing a log book so I wouldn't be able to use it. I then had to endure a hellish hour or so ride home in rush hour in yesterdays sweltering temperatures!!! Fair do though at least they gave me the option to rebook...
The bike was a tiny bit dirty, there was a bit of cleaning spray or Wd40 on the rear mudguard and the mucky handprints had obviously been wiped but not that well. I'll have to clean it again, but at least they made some attempt and I've seen worse!! And due to a clerical error I was told on the phone that my rear disc needed replacing- a job which I told them to leave as I would sort it, the reception guy had misread and it was just 'feeling a bit soft' so they modded the rear brake by moving something or other so it works better. Can't say I noticed the difference, but I can't see that they charged me for it, and I did have my work boots on and haven't ridden any bike in them for years, only normally use my Astar boots!!

Overall I was very happy with the service and general work that I experienced. I can't say that it was any better than I've experienced before at Johns of Romford, but they are also a very professional outfit so that's a compliment, and I'm happy to carry on travelling the extra miles to keep on using SC as they also have the experience and knowledge that comes from time served on the Aprilia bikes, which I kinow Johns wouldn't have.

going for a long trip to my aunts in Norfolk on Saturday so I'll let you know if anything does go wrong lol!!!

I'm a bit worried about the fork seals as I have a receipt with the bikes paperwork that says they were replace in April this year!!! 6000 miles ago!!

They did valve clearances on my old Mille a couple of years ago, it was a bit of money, but not scary prices!

I got charged 6.25 hours labour at £50 p/h. None of the valve clearances were out, the rest of the stuff on the bill was service stuff like spark plugs, oil and fork oil, oil and air filter (which was apparently a mess), fork seals, head bearing. Total was £561.33. Was quoted about £250 ish mark for the valve clearance and full service (o.w.o was extra lol)