Dilemma

[Sandman]

I’ve got 6k on the bike, my 1 year warranty runs out on April 15th, and I did not opt for the extended warranty.
My inspection is up and I am looking for opinions as to what I should do.

1) take it to the local auto shop, (they WILL simply slap a sticker on it.)
Or
2) take it to the dealer, and have them check the valves and give it a good once over.

I don’t want to get into the “when to get the valves done” debate, but I was thinking of having it done only to be safe now rather than sorry later.

I’ve done all the oil & filter and gear oil changes since the 600 mile checkup.

PS The bike is running great; no backfiring, smooth idle. I did have one instance of the clutch slipping under hard acceleration (had to get away from a road rage’d cage), but only once, and it was probably something I did to cause it. (let the clutch out too fast after shifting, or didn’t fully release the clutch).

Let me know what you think, oh, and getting the extended warranty is not an option. (2 kids in braces)

Thanks,
-Sandman

[Jammer]

I would say..cheap..take it to the dealer and have them inspect it. The auto dealer..would they have their motorcycle inspection certificate? Now with my Gixxer I always take it and have the factor maint. done..but..I would be surprised if you need anything done to your valves.

[92Notch]

get the shop manual and do your own inspection, it covers everything.

[Colorado Cajun]

You should have already had your valves checked once by now. You are coming up on the second valve check. I'd wait till the second valve check is due before taking it back to the dealer if everything seems fine on the bike. You can send me a check for $125.00 and I'll tell you everything looks fine on your bike and that will even save you the time and hassle of taking the bike to the dealer. That's about what will get from the dealer. A bill for $125.00 and they will tell you your bike is fine.

[Sandman]

Colorado, If you're referring to the 600 mile service at the stealer, it was a joke. Oil & filter, gear oil and minor clutch and brake adjustments. No mention of valves in the write up. All for the nice price of $134.

I'm leaning toward just the inspection. I have no problem with performing the scheduled service myself with a manual in hand. Just never did it before, first bike & all.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Colorado, If you're referring to the 600 mile service at the stealer, it was a joke. Oil & filter, gear oil and minor clutch and brake adjustments. No mention of valves in the write up. All for the nice price of $134.

I'm leaning toward just the inspection. I have no problem with performing the scheduled service myself with a manual in hand. Just never did it before, first bike & all.

I was about to +1 Colorado Cajun and move on, until I read your follow-up to his post.

Now, having skipped your recommended 1st valve check at 600, are you sure your warranty is even valid?
The manual is pretty clear on the service needed and the dealership doing your 600 mile service should have known.

Wait until the 7500 service for the valves. But, for now, find out if your warranty is still valid.

[Boulebiker]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Colorado, If you're referring to the 600 mile service at the stealer, it was a joke. Oil & filter, gear oil and minor clutch and brake adjustments. No mention of valves in the write up. All for the nice price of $134.

I'm leaning toward just the inspection. I have no problem with performing the scheduled service myself with a manual in hand. Just never did it before, first bike & all.

Sandman. Well, that is the difference between Virginia and West Virginia. Took my C50 in for the 600 mile inspection and oil change and the bill was $39. They adjusted the clutch; everything else was OK. Hmmm....

[blackie1491]

At $39 that's an oil change with new filter. Did they do the inspection ???

[Colorado Cajun]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Colorado, If you're referring to the 600 mile service at the stealer, it was a joke. Oil & filter, gear oil and minor clutch and brake adjustments. No mention of valves in the write up. All for the nice price of $134.

I'm leaning toward just the inspection. I have no problem with performing the scheduled service myself with a manual in hand. Just never did it before, first bike & all.

Hey Sandman,
I'd get the valves checked for sure like Poe - Boy mentioned, You don't want loose or tight valves.Tight valves is worse on a motor then loose valves. At 600 miles I paid $125 for the dealer to check my valves and I had did the rest myself. The only warrenty claim I had was the screw fell out and I lost the right rear turn signal cover. They gave me some crap about covering it under warrent and then when I went to pick up the lens for the light, they had ordered the wrong one. I gave them crap about having to make 2 trips there for the lens so they covered it under warrenty.

[Sandman]

I'm just going to get it inspected for now. I've got a few 500 mile trips to do next month so I'll hit 7500 in no time, I'll definetely have the valves done then.

What would be some symptoms of tight or loose valves?

[eb77k]

I doubt if you'll have problems with the valves on this motor. But if you've got an afternoon and can run a wrench set and a feeler gauge I'd give it a shot yourself. In MN we just have to pay the yearly license fee. No inspection needed.

Tight valves don't let the valve come to rest on the valve seat, no compression and the valve needs to hit the seat to get rid of some heat through the seat. It will be open during the power stroke allowing the 2000+ degree exhaust gasses to hit the face of the valve and seat which are machined to make a perfect seal. It won't be long before you're needing some new valves, seats, and machining done. Replacing valve seats is a HUGE deal. All very bad and probably not covered under warranty if you missed the valve adjustment.

Loose valves won't open all the way, so you lose performance. The rocker faces (or cam lobes) may wear faster because they don't tighten up enough at running temp to not have alot of extra lash in the mechanism.

Tight is worse, but just like Goldilocks poridge, it really needs to be just right. Watercooled motors really hide alot of the noise from the valve train so just not hearing alot of clatter isn't enough of a check.

[Boulebiker]

Originally Posted by blackie1491

At $39 that's an oil change with new filter. Did they do the inspection ???

Yes. They had the bike in the shop over a 1/2 hr. Mechanic had me come to the bike, showed me why he adjusted the clutch and said everything else looked good after 600 miles. Bike now has over 3000 miles and not a single problem. I just changed oil and filter ( synthetic ) and am ready for spring and summer riding.