8000 miles, did your valves REALLY need adjusting?

[Pterodactyl_imp]

How much time do you think it would take to "check" the valves yourself?

Dealer quotes 4 hours, at $100/hr. then another 1 or 2 if adjustment needed.
when I was young and cheap, I used to do my own 600 & 900 Ninja adjustments myself( threaded).

Of course if I find any out of spec on my CB, my next decision would be to proceed with shim work...or pack back up and take to dealer...not a good junction to be at.

My Triumph Tiger had more "stuff" to remove, body work as well as the tank and I could remove and replace in 15 minutes once I'd done it a few times. I can't believe that it could possibly take 3+ hours to remove 4 spark plugs and a cam cover, rotate the engine a few times and slide a feeler gauge over each bucket. That being said, having to remove the cams, measure both old and replacement shims, replace cams and remeasure clearances, that could take a while.

'Birds, you have said the magic words. Tha first time I took the tank off the CB it took took me in excess of 15 minutes to get the tank off. As for making my own cam chain tensioner (thanks again to the forum member who came up with the hundred dollar saving home made device) and using it without removing the air box, well you don't want to know .

As for dealers, I don't believe they charge for the actual time it takes to do the job. The charge is based on a book time. Major service, including valve check - x hours. Valve adjustment required? x + y hours. This is normally to the advantage of the dealer, but in the event of an issue caused by unforeseen circumstances (dropping something into the crankcase is an unlikely example) could be in favour of the customer. Correct me if I am wrong, but I understand this is standard procedure in any major dealer workshop. The charge out I mean, not dropping stuff into the crankcase.

Cheers mate

[Django]

How much time do you think it would take to "check" the valves yourself?

Dealer quotes 4 hours, at $100/hr. then another 1 or 2 if adjustment needed.
when I was young and cheap, I used to do my own 600 & 900 Ninja adjustments myself( threaded).

Of course if I find any out of spec on my CB, my next decision would be to proceed with shim work...or pack back up and take to dealer...not a good junction to be at.

That sounds steep to me. I just have looked it up, I paid 301.77 Euro for my 12,000 km ( 8k miles) services to the Honda dealer, where I also bought the bike.

That included full service with oil change, check of valve clearance, everything documented on a work checklist. They even washed my bike completely, lubed everything and gave me another bike for the day (Ducati monster).

And the valves of my CB were all in spec, as expected. Also I got it written down to be able to compare next time (24,000 km).

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Django, the way my (ex) dealer charges I could make a booking at yours and then ship the bike out and back and still be in pocket. And my CB could do with a wash.

Cheers

[DAC]

I did my valve check over the weekend. The bike's at 9,500 miles. All were WITHIN spec. However, the exhaust were toward the edge of too tight. My feeler gauges didn't have a measure between .28 mm and .25 mm. The .28 didn't fit on 1 and 4 - and the .25 slid in fairly easy. So it could have been .26.

The whole exercise was more than I bargained for. Luckily, a mechanic friend happened by when I was about half way through it. He got a free lunch and a couple beers for his help!

Next time - if there is one - I'll just have a tech do it. I learned a lot but would be over my head if I would have needed to actually adjust the valves.

[ryanschillinger_imp]

One thing I'm really not looking forward to but seems like the heck should t be too hard. Adjustment? That seems like a pain. At that point, seems like there should be an aftermarket cam to swap in...

[Ulvetanna_imp]

I ordered the cam chain holder tool and a spare tensioner bolt and washer. Yes, the tool was about $90 but from what I am reading, it's going to be worth it. It is tiny, tiny little thing, brass and steel. Obviously made to fit into that tight spot betwixt the cylinders and airbox. I'll be starting the job today. If they don't need adjusting, fine, but if they do, well, I'll just get it done. Only issue is getting the shims but I'll track down a source before I start pulling the cams out.

I am happy to read what I have suspected for years; that low stressed Honda engines with shim under bucket valves rarely need adjustment. The lack of hydraulic valves has been my biggest complaint regarding the CB. From everything I have read, I will wait to check them when I change the oil at 15K.
There is definitely something good to be said about being able to change the motor oil, adjust the valves, clean up mess, wash my hands and enjoy a cold beer in less than 90 minutes on my R1200GS.

There have been a number of bikes with out of spec valves at the 8000 miles check. Something to keep in mind. Risking a burned valve, I won't do it. It's a few hours work for me, or a couple of days hassle getting the bike to a dealer and home again. I think if a guy went to 10K, no problems, but beyond that, if there is a tight valve, it's not get to let that go.

There again, it's a risk but if worst-case, maybe $1500 to pull the head and repair, so it's not the end of the world for a guy with a few bikes in the garage and the dough to self-insure.

For the owners who have the CB as the only ride or don't have the cost of head repair ready at hand, doing the check would be advisable. These are machines, they do wear out.

[LARIDER_imp]

I had to have my valve cover gasket replaced under warranty. Since the clock was over 7K, the dealer suggested to do the valve inspection while the cover was off.

Seemed like a good idea.

But when I was quoted nearly $500 and after reading most of the owners here didn't need an adjustment at the first 8K interval, I declined.

[ecka00_imp]

LARIDER, That was my plan... once my valve cover started to leak (and after I confirmed with the forum that there was no risk of damage to the engine if I waited on the repair) I would make the warranty claim around 8K and ask them to check the valves while they had it open. My line of thinking was if they had it open for the repair then the inspection couldn't be more than 30 minutes on my dime. Did you try using that line of reasoning with them? -A

[Ulvetanna_imp]

LARIDER, That was my plan... once my valve cover started to leak (and after I confirmed with the forum that there was no risk of damage to the engine if I waited on the repair) I would make the warranty claim around 8K and ask them to check the valves while they had it open. My line of thinking was if they had it open for the repair then the inspection couldn't be more than 30 minutes on my dime. Did you try using that line of reasoning with them? -A

Even with the tank, coils, PAIR valve, heat shield and various bits and pieces removed it would take much longer than 30 minutes to check the valve clearance. However, a good service department should certainly offer a discount on the work as it is about an hour labor to take off the tank and those bits I mentioned. Took me about an hour and a half but I moved very carefully and slowly. Fuel tank connector came off in 30 seconds, I kid you all not. It is not too difficult if you see how it is connected, and you need to pull it straight off, don't cock it at an angle.

I put some wood and pads under the tank bolt area to prop it up to maximum height and scoped it out very carefully with a flashlight first. I also have small hands. It is a tight squeeze. Basically you pull the rubber tab half-way off, squeeze in the two spring tabs on either side of the supply line, and pull it straight off.

That tank is the easiest to remove of any recent bike I've had. Only one vent hose, one electrical connector, and the quick-connect.

[Ulvetanna_imp]

All valves were right on spec. A bit of clever work to extricate the valve cover but other than that, happy to say it's been the easiest tuneup I've done in a while. Very straightforward. Air cooling has its benefits.