Valve Adjustment

[zackod]

Guessing there are some high mileage riders here who are over 32k miles and have brought her in for the check.   If that's you, would you please share (1) Price paid for the service (US dollars please) (2) Did any need adjusting? - If so, how many and were they tight or loose?   I know its important to do the check, but handing over 500+ large, then have the dealer say 'all was good' will make me cringe.

[bscrive]

After I read your post I went onto the 1800 wing site and searched for this adjustment.  I didn't find one person who had the inspection done that needed an adjustment.  Most considered this a legal issue that Honda put in to cover themselves.  A few waited until 64k miles and still did not need adjustment.  I only read about a couple of people that needed an adjustment, but that was when they had over 80k miles on their bikes.

It really is something to ease your own fears.  Apparently, it takes 3 hours to get done at the dealer.

The feeling is that if you horse your bike, over 4000 rpm a lot, then get the check done.  If you drive it normal, then it can wait.

[Moofner]

My personal favorite is to do it myself, but I know that brings up warrenty claims and dealership headaches.

I was told once that I'm not a qualified mechanic and should leave work to the Honda dealerships shortly after I got the 1800. I raised an eyebrow and then pulled out my FAA A&P certificate. The guy looked at it and said bikes were harder than airplanes.

That shop has never seen any servicing business from me and never will.
Long story short, get in there and check those valves!

[ledany]

In november 2015, I wanted to have the valves checked though I knew it would be pointless. It took less than 1.5 hour for the Honda shop, everything was allright as I could have imagined. The mechanics told me that some GW owners never check the valves before 65 000 miles because there's no need for it. My bike in november 2015 had less than 13 000 mls I guess (now 39 000 mls). I ride really peacefully, rarely over 5000 rmp, only once a week running full throttle in a short hill on the highway I know 

[hungryeye]

Vtwins and 4 cyl bikes are a pain because of no room to work, Goldwings, Boxer BMW's, Moto Guzzi's and others are easy access to the valves. Unless you are beating the crap out of it on a daily basis I wouldn't worry about it, or as we say in Jersey, fagetaboutit.

Moof, Did you start your career in the military? I went to Helicopter Crew Chief School in Ft. Rucker Alabama 1968, I never put it to use after the Army, sometimes I wish I did.

[st2sam]

  If you drive it normal, then it can wait.

+ 1

IMO - save your hard earned money. 

[Robert]

My 1500 I checked a couple of times with no adjustment necessary. I would not worry about the dealer service as long as you do a few things yourself. What I would do is change the air filter, oil, brake fluid, coolant, check brakes and rear fluid and spark plugs if you have not already done it. As long as you keep up on these things then all should be ok. Aint these bikes great 

[zackod]

Thanks for the feedback everybody.   Moofner  - I don't have your skills or tools, so i will pay for the service.   I hit the gas hard through 1st and 2nd, so over 5k rpm lots.   I have 10k to go, but i will get her checked at 32k.  If I get an 'all-in-spec' result, won't be checking her again for a long time.