[dvb1]

The question is; How often do you really need to inspect your valves? Does it depend on how your ride?

The reason I ask is that it takes a full day to disasemble the bike to get to the valves. If adjustment is needed it takes more time to add new pads and get it right. If I need to mek an adjustment, then it's worth it. If not, I worry that I'm gonna make a mistake that will cost me money and time I don't have.

So what's good? 20K miles? 40k miles? I'm at 75K and I've had them checked at 20K and re-worked at 50K. Wouldn't I notice in egine performance if the valves need adjustment? Would it effect cold starts primarily? would fuel efficiency suffer? FYI i"ve been getting around 45mpg when I ride closer to the speed limit. I even got 50 mpg one or two weeks. What does everyone else get?

Please share you thoughts about engine valve maintenance.

Thanks!

 

[dvb1]

Wasn't too bad. Kind of fun actually.

I started with a quote from mechanic of actually $1,300. But that was for entire tune up and bike review since bike was at 77K miles or so. Besides I had already done many parts of the service requirements, brakes, air filter, plugs, and I had built my own Manometer for the throttle body sync. Oil change would come after the valve adjustment. The only thing I couldn't do was cylinder compression check. I was too cheep to buy the measuring unit.

The labour to dissasemble and reassemble took more time and effort than the measurements and changing valve pads. I spent a full day on it. I was amazed by the significant power delivery improvement which may have been driven by throttle body sync. Engine is incredibly smooth now as well. Bottom line, I spent less than $150 in parts and a Saturday morning to night of my time. One word of advice. Order new valve cover gasket and valve pads in advance to save some time. You can get a set of valve pads online for about $60 - $80.

In my opinion, well worth my time and money. However I did already own the tools necessary and I enjoy my garage time.