12,000 mile service...do the valves really need checking?

[JonesTheBass]

I'm due the 12k service (done ~11k over 28 months). The manual states valve clearance check but this sounds early and I'm getting some mixed messages from the dealer. A valve check on my last bike, Honda CBF1000, at 16k miles showed no need and most owners wait until the 24k or 32k service.
Other factor is quoted cost as ~£500, plus another £100 if any shimming needs to be done!

Experience and advise welcome!

[Rtwo]

Yes, check them

Lots of bikes need shim adjustment at the 12K point and then not again for quite a while

[Cats]

Definitely.
I do my own servicing and at the 12000 mile service, actually 13000, I found 5 valves needed adjustment.
If you can do it yourself, do so. You know it's been done then and not hoping that the stealer did actually do it.

[Tigerider]

It's not worth the risk to not have them checked....& yes, you could get up to 24k mls with no mechanical failure, but what would the cost be if your money saving scheme went wrong.

l just had mine done at 13k & only one exhaust valve needed checking, it cost me *$230 at a local qualified independent mechanic but my motto is "Better Safe Than Sorry!"

*about 170 quid!

[Alunr]

Originally Posted by JonesTheBass

I'm due the 12k service (done ~11k over 28 months). The manual states valve clearance check but this sounds early and I'm getting some mixed messages from the dealer. A valve check on my last bike, Honda CBF1000, at 16k miles showed no need and most owners wait until the 24k or 32k service.
Other factor is quoted cost as ~£500, plus another £100 if any shimming needs to be done!

Experience and advise welcome!

If you don't want to do it yourself or pay dealer prices, I would recommend David Muddy Sump. He did my 12k service, including checking valve clearances, for well under that price. Thoroughly recommend him.

[AvgBear]

Originally Posted by JonesTheBass

Experience and advise welcome!

Originally Posted by Tigerider

It's not worth the risk to not have them checked....& yes, you could get up to 24k mls with no mechanical failure, but what would the cost be if your money saving scheme went wrong.

A contrarian view:
Whilst it's certainly nice to have a well-tuned and adjusted engine, no mechanical failure is likely to occur from incorrect valve clearances.
The normal sequence of events (if they happen at-all?) is for the valve clearances to decrease over time along with a small decrease (but, maybe not noticeable?) in engine performance.
Ultimately, the engine's valves and valve seats will wear to the point of needing replacement/resurfacing after many tens-of-thousands of miles and years of use -- whether kept in proper adjustment, or not.
In the automotive world, engines with shim & bucket valve clearance adjustment are ubiquitous -- and, checking/adjustment largely ignored.

[johnnyboy101]

+1 for muddy sump. I was quoted 700 quid for 12,000 service from dealer !! Muddy sump a lot cheaper than that and a very professional service

[dunkymunky]

My Triumph dealer told me not to do them!

It's now coming up to the 24k service and the engine sounds like a bag of spanners.

I would get them done for sure!

[Tigerider]

Originally Posted by AvgBear

A contrarian view:
Whilst it's certainly nice to have a well-tuned and adjusted engine, no mechanical failure is likely to occur from incorrect valve clearances.

A contrarian contrarian view......Yes it is!
https://repairpal.com/valve-clearance-check-adjust
https://itstillruns.com/problems-caused-bad-valve-adjustment-6875444.html
https://repairpal.com/valve-clearance-check-adjust

And the above references are to LOW revving engines!!!!

[chico]

The bottom line is as we call it on our side of the pond, a crap shoot, or roll of the dice. The answer to whether you need to have it done is unfortunately unknown until it's done. If the engine needs the valves re-shimmed then you need it done. If they're OK then you have the peace of mind.

Chico