sm_wasp04
Adjunct
Reged: 03/30/05
Posts: 139
Loc: Katy, TX
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I had my valves adjusted last week, 11.8K miles.
Dealer charged 3.5 hours. Does that sound about right?
4 valves were out: 3 got 3.05 shims, 1 got 2.90 shim. Does that sound like a lot of adjustment? If that was way out, do you think I have done any damage to the engine waiting until 12K miles?
Somewhere back around 7K or so it had noticable clicking and I asked the mechanic what he thought and he said it sounded OK. Then a couple weeks ago he said it sounded like I needed an adjustment [without my asking] so I took it in.
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Gary
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Greybeard
New Tires
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 7122
Loc: Charming Clovis NM
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3.5 hours is about right. It's hard to say about the shims without knowing what was there to start with.
Here's the 'Readers Digest' version of the work involved.
1. Remove the battery cover and disconnect the battery.
2. Remove the seat(s). (to get at the tank bolt)
3. Remove the fuel tank.
4. Remove the cam cover.
5. Turn the engine 2 full revolutions, stopping each 1/4
turn to check the valves and noting the clearance.
6. Remove the cams if the valves need adjusting.
7. Remove the shims as needed.
8. Inspect the shims for wear and measure the true thickness.
9. Calculate the required thickness.
10. Install the new shims.
11. Reinstall the cams.
12. Turn the engine over by 1/4's again to make sure of the adjustment.**
13. Reassemble the bike.
14. Start it up and warm up the engine, checking for noise and leaks.**
15. Take a test ride.**
** Anything wrong at these points means doing it all over again, usually for free.
As for possible damage, a lot depends on just how far off the were and which way. Tight valves will burn in short order. Very loose valves will eventually pound the cam faces and valve stems out of shape. I once worked on a Honda 350 that had a cam that had been hammered so badly that the hardened surface was flaking off.
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I came into this world with nothing and I have most of it left.
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SalMaglie
Loquacious
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 3734
Loc: Tucson, Az
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I've had mine done 3 times at 2 different dealers. Both of them charged 2 hours labor, and that included a carb sync. But that time can vary a bit, no more than 1/2 hour though, because if the camshaft farthest back(intakes?) has an inside valve out of adjustment, then they HAVE to pull the camshaft to fit a new shim in. Of course that 2 hour labor time is IF the dealer techs are smart and have figured out how to take out and put in a different shim on the rest of the valves without taking out the camshafts.
I wouldn't worry about damage. There's a reason why the valve adjustment interval is 12,000 miles, and they wouldn't just guess at that figure. If anything, the service intervals are on the conservative side.
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SpeedPilot
Complete Newb
Reged: 10/25/07
Posts: 9
Loc: Tennessee, Hamilton
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It's always better for a valve to be loose and tic-tic-tic, than it is for it to be too tight. A slightly loose valve will never hurt anything other than performance. Whenever I do my own adjustments, I leave them just shy of the OEM specs so that there's no chance of them being too tight. 
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FriarJohn
Should be Riding
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 12323
Loc: East Helena, Montana
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Quote:
Dealer charged 3.5 hours. Does that sound about right?
Considering it took me 3 months, I'd say you got a heck of a deal. 
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bahoyle
Greenhorn
Reged: 06/06/07
Posts: 29
Loc: Charlotte, NC
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Hi Everybody
I have another question about measuring the valves. I bought a Craftsman feeler gage but the size gap between feelers seems like it will be too large to get a good idea of the gap. What brand feeler gauge would you recommend?
Thanks
Brad
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Thousands of years ago cats were worshipped as gods. They have never forgotten this
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Frank
Loquacious
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 3753
Loc: cambridge massachusetts
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i got mine from sears, worked out just fine
Frank
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(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Bucky
Loquacious
Reged: 05/21/06
Posts: 3534
Loc: NW CT
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Might wanna determine which leaf is 06 and which is 09, then take a sharpie and write "six" and "nine' on respective leaves.
D'nask me how I determined the need for this
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arstaren
Oil Expert
Reged: 07/23/07
Posts: 2269
Loc: Southeast ,Iowa, USA
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Hours are about right. I stood at my mechanic's shoulders with my head in the way and dumb questions. He kept right on working, but although I wanted to learn how to do it, it's pretty involved and I'll probably have him do it again next time. Also, I'll tell you young guys that I do my own valve adjustment on my "old" Triumphs, takes a 7/16 wrench, a feeler guage and about 15 minutes. Yeah, yeah, I know, more power, better perf., etc. Still.
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Fidelis et Fortis
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Frank
Loquacious
Reged: 01/11/05
Posts: 3753
Loc: cambridge massachusetts
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after doing the job once i dont thin its very hard to do, too me about 3-4 hours and that was really taking my time and driving to get shims. the shop manual and takeing your time if your mechanically inclined is all you need
Frank
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(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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