What is a fair price to have my valves checked/set, carbs synced?

[GJS]

Hi All,

I want to tune-up the phat lady.
Used to be that when she was cold, under full choke she would rev steady at 3000 rpm, and drop down to 850rpm with no choke. These days she gets up to about 25-2600rpm and drops back to 800(-). (68,000 miles on bike)

I want to check the carb sync and valve clearances. I am fairly competent with a wrench, but I just don't have the spare time it takes to go through the steps. So I went to a local dealer that quoted me 1 hr to sync the carbs and 5 hours to set the valves.  

When I questioned 5 hours to set the valves, he said it was complicated, that it wasn't just checking them, but that it took extra time because the CAMS may need to come out.

I didn't stay to ask any further questions as the two guys behind the desk seemed irritated that I would question the estimate. Which really was not an estimate as much as it was a flat rate. They assured me it would not be more (or less).


Anybody here ever have to pull the CAMS to set valves?  I don't get it it.
The 1 hour for carb syncing is tolerable, but 5 for the valves, not so much.  

Thanks,

GJS

  

[Garland]

I have not checked my valves for several years, but it did not take long and did not touch the cams. It took me longer to sync the carbs. If I were doing both I would plan on a couple hours.

[F6BANGER]

ADJUSTING the valves takes about 30 minutes. Not to sure if that is the same as setting the valves. Cams do not have to come out.

[Skinhead]

That dealer is full of political promises.

[Patrick]

Your dealer doesn't know these engines. Some use shims which takes time, these engines don't. These engines valves are adjusted like many older autos, fast and simple. You could spend an hour adjusting these valves and a half hour adjusting the carburetors.

[JC]

Shouldn't take more than 2 hours total for both tasks.

[9Ball]

Carb sync is a 15 to 30 minute job if you have the right equipment (it gets easier and quicker once you have experience doing it).

Don't let that dealer work on your bike...he's absolutely wrong regarding the cams and either doesn't know these bikes or he's at worst trying to rip you off...

Invest in a Honda service manual or download it from Dag's Norway site.  You need several dabs of RTV, feeler gauge set like you use to gap your spark plugs, a screwdriver and metric wrench for setting the gap, and a torque wrench so you don't over-torque and snap the valve cover bolts (they are that fragile).  This has to be done on a stone cold (ambient temp) engine so it should sit for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight before setting the valves.

Good luck....forget that dealer or mechanic that told you this junk.

[Chrisj CMA]

5 hours.....Holy Crap.....I would have communicated in a polite way that they would never see my bike in their service bay if it was going to take 5 hours to do what should be charged out as one!

[Denny47]

2000 rpm is the max recommended with the choke on, if idling too slow when warmed up, adjust the idle adjust screw under the carbs on the throttle side of the bike, located between the 1st and 2nd carbs from the front.

[Brian]

I spent more time cleaning up the valve covers and gaskets to make sure I did not have any oil leaks than adjusting the valves. There is a sequence you must follow when doing them. It is explained very well in the manual and not hard to do. Our shop here charges $74 per hour. That's money in the bank for me for each hour I spend doing my own maintenance. I did the valves in two evenings only putting about 5 hours total and taking my time as wrenching on my scooter is like therapy.
 
The next time I tackle this project new valve cover gaskets will be used as these are a little stretched. I had to use high tack gasket sealant to keep the gasket in place on the cover.


Good luck.

[gordonv]

Glen, do it yourself.

Just give yourself a weekend day.

I would do some searches here. Read what others have posted.

They did the valves at the scheduled interval, and it did not requir any adjustment. 2nd time, the same.

Why not wait till some time when you are looking for something to do and not riding the bike.

As for the sync of the carbs. Are you having some systems, where the suggestion is to sync, or just something you want to do? Want to do, then wait some more when you can get someone to help out. I haven't done either yet, but I've a 88' GW and no history of any service, so will do everything I can over the next few years (59K miles only, belts already ordered).

[salty1]

DIY it's just not that difficult. Your "stealer" thought that your engine has a shim and bucket adjustment for the valves.      It's clear they have never worked on a Valk as they have screw tappets. Buy your self a good vacuum gauge and synch your carbs, not hard.

[ricoman]

The valve adjust comment by your dealer tells me he has never done it on a Valk.
It is a very simple job and anyone who has done it once, could do it in 30-45 min.-1 hr. max. if you have a cup while doing it.

A carb sync should take no more the 30 min., including putting the tools away.
Find another shop.

[GJS]

Thanks everyone,

I had thought that this was straight forward work, that should only take a couple of hours.
My desire was to support a local shop and save myself some time (which I am very short on these days).

In any event, it is not really a big deal, she runs and rides pretty well at the moment, she will just have to wait till summer for a little tweaking to make her purr.

It was worth asking and finding out that SG Motor Sports in Victoria, BC, is a Honda dealer to avoid.

Thanks again,

GJS

[Ricky-D]

If there is no obvious reason to require a valve adjustment, I would suggest to not bother with that!

Why spend money needlessly?  If you're worried, a compression test would be indicated.

A carburetor synchronization ought to help your idling problems especially if this area of the carburetors has been messed with previously.

Before any work I suggest a full use of a additive for a few tanks of gasoline.

Might be nothing is needed.

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