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How many miles until you checked valve lash

  • 10,000-15,000 miles

    Votes: 114 26.6%
  • 15,000-20,000 miles

    Votes: 112 26.2%
  • 20,000-25,000 miles

    Votes: 80 18.7%
  • 25,000-30,000 miles

    Votes: 40 9.3%
  • Over 30,000 miles

    Votes: 82 19.2%

Valve lash interval poll

144K views 200 replies 102 participants last post by  streetrodracer 
#1 ·
I have a few questions for you about having your valve lash checked.

1st) This poll is for how many miles you have ridden before checking the valve lash without negative results for not following the recommended service interval.

2nd) For those of you who have exceeded the service recommendation, please post up what the findings were when checked, How many shims were changed. How much of an adjustment was needed with the changed shims?

There have been many times I have seen people post how far beyond the service recommendation they went without issues. This will collect all this information in one spot.
 
#140 ·
I have just completed a lash check on a cx with 85000 km on the clock.It has done 35000km on stage two cams and this was the first check since they were installed.the clearances were all within spec and did not require adjustment.this bike is ridden hard.
 
#141 ·
I just has valve lashes check at 14k miles, all within spec. Harley dealership mechanic seemed to think that I wouldn't need to check them for another 30k miles (service sheet recommendations aside).
 
#142 ·
Glad I read this....though I did skip the middle pages. if I am not mistaken, this engine loosens with wear, rather than tightening, like some Japanese high revvers do?

I'm not going to waste a lot of time or money ripping things apart without very good reason, so it'll be doing mega mileage (60,000 miles was mentioned with NO adjustment needed!!!) before I check unless it starts to sound noisy.

I do this sort of thing myself, or (rarely) use independent specialists if I don't have the right tools, I don't trust dealers at all...

I use Amsoil oil and filters.
 
#152 ·
16,000 mile lash results

2003, 16,000 miles, performed April 30, 2012.

I'm an ASE certified master auto mechanic...cars, not bikes, but the same principles apply.

Spec:

Exhaust .0117 to .0135
Intake .0078 to .0096

Front cylinder:

L ex: .012
R ex: .014 *

L in: .009
R in: .011 *

Rear cylinder:

L ex: .012
R ex: .013

L in: .009
R in: .009

Since adjusting the clearance is quite a chore, and none were too tight, I left them alone. Sometimes, you can over-maintain things...

I must say, though...whoever designed this frame was a real jokester! "Hmmmm...can you get the valve covers out? Yeah? Ok, frame is still too big..."

How much do dealers charge for this service?

Gerard
 
#155 ·
It is just such a horrid job I'll keep riding it until the top end fails and then give it a big bore.

I don't want to do it myself and I don't trust anyone else...
 
#157 ·
30,000 + never checked no issues. Like some of you can't/won't do it myself, don't have anyone remotely close I trust. So I'll just keep changing tires and riding.
 
#160 ·
While checking the valve lash is an important maintenance procedure I'm more worried about the chain wear. From what I've seen reported most valves are only out about .002" loose which doesn't effect anything other than a tad more noise coming from the cams. On the other hand we all know that chains will in time stretch. So after many attempts at various HD dealers I found one willing to sell me secondary chain tension tool which I'll be using this winter during the off season. I'll be at 50+K at the end of this riding season. I'm with Louis on this one, when the top end fails, then I'll do something about it.

Auto part Vehicle Car Mid-size car Automotive engine part


It seems as though HD thinks only qualified HD techs know how to use tools and usually won't sell the specialized tools to John Q Public.

Which is in my mind > :bs:
 
#164 ·
Two things that will make me dive in. First off if too tight the engine will miss when cold due to valve not completely closing. Once warmed up a bit some clearance develops and the engine runs ok. Single cyl bikes won't even start in this condition due to low compression. Second reason would be more noise then normal. Not getting overly excited unless either one of these occur.
Ron
 
#172 ·
Had my old "2007 California DX/NRS" valve lash check completed today for the third time ....all in spec after 51,000 miles. Checking every 15K miles. Cost was $420.
 
#173 ·
I ran my 03 120K miles with no lash adjustments or costly checks. This means I saved enough money to buy a head job with new cams & valves. It was in spec as well.

But the rings were worm just out of spec so I put in a 1250 kit. (Eats a bit more gas, more low vibs, louder intake sound...not a whole lot more power for maybe 10 hp). Seriously folks. What kind of emotional issue spends that kind of money for 10 hp? LOL I got the kit for the cost of the parts not used in the warranty rebuild so it was a wash.

More reality.

The reason the rings were worn was because the K & N filter allows 3% or so more air to go by it. NO matter how much tack you spray on the thing. I changed oil every 3-5 religiously and also serviced that air filter like a fanatic.

Sure, you get a wee bit better performance with the K & N, but this allows 3-5% more particles to go into the com chamber as well. Go onto the K & N site and review the tech data on its filtration yourself. I did about 10 years ago since I used to sell filters to aviation. Yeah, you get a sticker, maybe a hat and you can join a fraternity about presuming to have the "best" filter, but really, its not so fantastic. Actually, rather subnormal.

So, in over 120K miles, you will get more wear proportionally to exactly how much more air it lets in. How much wear? Depends on in what region you live, how much abrasives are airborne. Here, back east, low abrasive silica, not so dusty, not so bad wear. So you weigh the 3 HP gain against the durability of the rings.

My opinion? Valve lash is a BM issue to consider, not a PM issue.
 
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