pics of my pulsar 2004 ug2 model

i have changed headlight to classic one as it look better!

An encounter with Popular Bajaj Service Centre, Cochin

At the onset, I would like to clarify that this is not intended to merely smear blame on any individual. The intention is to point out a few disheartening facts that prevail currently in the Service Operations of Popular Bajaj.A recent incident eroded a large part of my trust on Popular as a service-oriented organisation.

On Friday, February 22, 2013, I went to Popular Bajaj Authorised Service centre,Kakkanad,Cochin,Kerala with my 2005 Pulsar, which had a rusty and leaking petrol tank. Of course, I had rang up the lady at the Service Centre earlier and fixed up a service schedule for the day. I reached the Service Centre at around 1:15 pm, and it looked deserted. Since there no sign of a Receptionist or a Customer Relationship Executive around, I assumed they might have gone for lunch. I rang up the Service Centre mobile number again, but there was no response.

I ventured further into the Centre, and was lucky enough to spot one of the executives (Our Hero AKA Moron) seated beside a computer and staring intensely at its monitor. I greeted him with a ‘Hello’. No response. ‘Hello’ again. Was he deaf? I started to feel sorry for him and uttered my final ‘Hello’ a bit louder. Surprise! the executive tilted his head a little, and informed me that it was lunch hour and there was no one around to attend to my situation.

I tried to reason with him that I had ‘miles to go before I sleep, and promises to keep’, and that I was stuck with a bike which was spurting inflammable fuel all over the road and my dress. He was at his nonchalant best. He told me that the service engineer had gone for lunch and will be back by 2 pm. I decided to wait outside the service centre. After some time, the executive summoned me in, and told me that the mechanic will be late, so he will take care of my vehicle. He came out with a service slip. I showed him the leaking spot.

He examined the leak and announced that it needed replacement. He seemed to be more inclined towards getting a general service done for my bike and kept on hard-selling that package to me. However, I informed him that I had changed the engine oil only recently, and hence I did not want a general service done at that point in time. He thrust me a new bit of knowledge that general service was not just oil change, but also included other services such as water wash!

I suggested that he let the mechanic take a look at my bike’s fuel tank, at least for a second opinion. He revealed that he had seen hundreds of similar cases, and that the only way out was to replace the fuel tank with a new one for a paltry Rs 5000. He went on to say that if I was quite particular about getting any “jugaad” done, such as tinkering, soldering or welding, I was free to approach any ordinary (‘lesser’?) mechanic along the road. But then, I’d have to clear my vehicle from the service centre parking space immediately, and push off.

I could easily relate to what he said – according to him, service centres do not get involved in ‘lowly’ tinkering or soldering, as they are professionals trained to ‘perform’ replacement only. I was in total conformance, but then, a little politeness in the way he responded to my queries could have saved the situation. Since I had already noticed that the fuel tank was rusty and that it needed replacement, I was willing to make that move even before coming to the service centre. All I needed was an expert opinion from a real mechanic. Should I really shell out Rs 5000 for a new tank for this 8-year-old bike or rather source a used tank from the local market, was my question. The ‘expert’ executive seemed irritated with all my queries, and he informed me that if I did not want to replace the petrol tank, I could push off!

With a fuel-spewing tank in my hand, I had no other option but agree to the replacement. As I was about to leave the premises, I heard the executive throwing in word of caution – if I wanted to ride out of the premises, I’d have to carry in petrol when I came to collect my bike, because the fuel remaining in the tank would become ‘unusable’ by then.

The bike mentioned above is my second Pulsar. I have serviced the bike in earlier in Chennai, Trivandrum and Kottayam, and this was the first time in my life that I’ve had to face such an experience from a ‘kind-mouthed’ executive. If self-esteem was one of the most valuable assets that one carries around all through his life, I was robbed off it by this gentleman at the service centre. He didn’t have to point a gun at me that day. He strangled the goodwill and trust I had nurtured through all these years for the 'Popular' brand, in just a few moments by brandishing his well-cultured demeanour and readiness for customer service – the proud hallmarks any organisation would gladly work hard to earn.

They say that the ‘customer is king’. I almost felt like a worm, almost trampled upon.

Thank you, dear Service Executive! Long live Customer Service!

shit happens ..... !!

Did you lodge a complaint about this to Bajaj? They are very particular about the SVCs and Bajaj will beat them to death if there is any unresolved issue.
There is a friend of mine who was P**sed off by the front brake issues. On my persistance, he wrote this to Bajaj Customer Service and TA-DA, the same SVC folks called him, took his bike from home, did the work and dropped it back to his home. Only consumables were charged.

Guys it's nice to see this thread going active and live again ...
I own a pulsar 150ug4.5 clocked 17,000 kms on the odo so far..
I bought this beast on 9.9.10 ,just can't describe the joy of riding my own bike for the first time !!
It was my first bike and continues to serve me faithfully till date.
The first bike I rode was my friends pulsar150 classic,
and it was the bike that taught me everything I needed to know about being on two wheels..
It's been more than two years, but still this bike makes me feel like I bought it yesterday..(p.s. I might be exaggerating a bit )
And even after spending so much time with my bike I'm still attracted to it as I was before, looking it through the glass panes of showrooms..
Hats off to bajaj for creating such a bike that could fit in the place of both a commuter and a decent sports bike
And also for pricing this bike such competitively ...
Before some of you assume that I'm a die hard bajaj fan type deal...
I'd like to say that I love every bike on the road
The best thing about bikes is that every bike has it's own character
Like for example cbz xtreme,hunk and unicorn share the same engine
But each bike is way different from the other ...

Even though I'm totally satisfied with my bike
I'm somewhat disappointed by the assembling done by bajaj
I mean all the work of r&d staff and designers goes to waste just because of carelessness at the assebly line.
I know that it can't be assebled like a Lamborghini..but I least demand proper attention to the bike so that it is able to deliver the quality it promises..
I'd like to thank xbhp and all it's members for making me discover the passionate biker inside me.

Hey fellow riders!!

Recently I observed a change in my engine sound, a kan-kan sound, cant say exactly but sounds like that and I never heared it before. I just completed 2.5k km on odo and I am planing for the second service in this week, so do i need to change anything for this problem or its just a setting of tappets, I dont know exactly about tappets and what would be the reason for this??


So please guys help me in this regard..

Hi Raj,

Adjusting tappets is way too early mate. Can't really make out the sound that you mentioned, but our Pulsars do sound like a Supercharger or the anklets worn by ladies. There will be a change in the sound produced by the engine as it opens up.
I believe you will be going for Bajaj oil. That oil has a max life of 1.5K-2K kms. Post this they just go bad (personal experience, it may vary from person to person). Post my 2nd service at 1950 kms, I have never gone for Bajaj oil.
I see that you are from Hyderabad. Where are you planning to get your bike serviced from?

Hi,
I have completed 1550 kms on my Pulsar 150 ug 4.5. On Sunday, while driving I cannot avoid a pothole although it was not a big one. But after this incident there is tung- tung sound coming from tank side whenever I hit a speed breaker. I had taken my bike to service center where they change the rubber underneath the tank. Although is not there continuously but it still comes up occasionally. Can anyone please help me in this regard.
Thanks in advance

Hello Akash!!

Thanks for your reply, well I dont know exactly about that sound. And one more thing recently I drove my bike to 100km/h for a while (may be around 2-3 min), so would it be the reason for that?
I think i dont have another option other than bajaj oil, and I am planning to service my bike at bajrang bajaj, ramanthapur.

Should I change any parts under periodic maintenance?

If you are going to Ramathpur, then this time, ask them not to go for Bajaj oil since they only recommend that Bajaj DTSi oil lasts 10000 kms(which is b**ls**t).
Get Motul/Valvoline Mineral/Semi-Synthetic from Koti and get it changed from a local mech outside or change it on your own if feasible.
I am giving vague ideas here but it seems like your chain might be a bit loose or out of lubrication. Try lubricating the chain first, if it makes it even a bit better then we might be on right track. Bajaj oil is ok, but not that great for the price. Its a fairly new bike mate, so per periodic maintenance, it still needs to touch 10000 kms.

You sure its coming from the tank? Its unlikely that the rubber bush were supposed to be changed under the tank, but since you have already got that done, try checking all the contact areas and see if any rubber bush are missing. It might seem like coming from tank but it can be the speedo console too. Tighten the bolts which attach the engine to the chassis and the speedo console too. Also, if possible please post pic of the area you feel is giving that strange noise.

Thanks Akash for your reply. I don't think so its coming from speedo console because it seems like some metal sound coming from the front side. One thing I have noticed is that sound also comes when slightly press the tank with my hand. The only problem is that it does not comes continuously.

Hi I have pulsar 150cc ug3 model... I m done 40k on it... But nw looking for the modificationंं... I already fit k&n filter plus rejetting the crab... Nd performance is awesome... But looking for much better look... I m thinking off to modified my exhaust silencer to exhaust pipes... Under the seat... As it gives a sporty look... But want to knw is it affect the engine... Nd should I do so that it doesn't harm the engine nd wht material is best for the exhaust pipe. As I choose the steal for it

Silencers/Exhaust pipes are designed keeping th eback pressure in mind. Too much angle or too less will alter the back pressure which is likely to mess up the efficient working of the engine. Since you have rejet the carb and fitted K&N, there is not much you can do to extract more from the humble 150cc engine mate. For aesthetic purposes you can go for the custom exhaust but not advisable. However, you can always plonk the bigger carb of P220 and adjust the air+fuel ratio, alter the number of teeth of the sprocket set for Acceleration or Speed depending on the need to get a bit more of the performance. There are a lot of free flow exhaust floating in the market. You can try them but again I have my doubts on all of these mods.

Someone more experienced can comment or guide you further mate. What you have right now is also good, infact I guess it would be better than our stocks for sure.

My two cents - get a bigger and more powerful bike and keep the baby for daily use

Thanks mate for the help... But I discussed with the mechanic as I fitted earlier with a small muffler.. That enhances already the pick up my bike.. So attaching the pipe to the end of the muffer nd bend it under the seats can be a great idea... Is it any harm then... And wht if I change my 150 crab to 220...

Bigger carb, more fuel fed to the engine, more power output, but air fuel mixture needs to be perfected. The curves, the bends of an exhaust are designed based on some complex calculations. You can try to contact Joel (google should help you in this fairly easily) to get the custom exhaust.