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[Gumbo]

Just got off the phone with my Honda stealer, asked about scheduleing a check up on valve clearance. I was nearly fell out of my chair when he told me I should expect about $175.00 for the service.
Is this the going price for this type of service 

[Morgan Buchanan]

I've heard of people paying more.  What all are they including?  Some quote their price for JUST the valves.  Others figure it must be time for an oil change and so they have that included when they quote out a price...   it's worth doing it yourself.

[Gumbo]

You bet I'll do it myself, heck then I can buy her something. 

[Lucky]

Hey Gumbo...my bike is in need of having the valve clearance checked also...maybe we can set up a wrenching session.

[txracer]

need to get mine done also!!!!!!!!!!
Txracer

[Gumbo]

I have a guy that has offered to teach me how this is done, no doubt I can do it after I see it once. I'll ask if he is willing to do this as a wrenching session, for a few folks.  I'll keep you posted on the outcome, I need it done pretty soon, just got my 600 miles in and don't want to push it too far.

[RedDragon]

and don't want to push it too far.

Your not going to hurt it, it's a Honda! I checked mine and had to adjust slightly the first time, but have taken apart two other times and still about the same!

[heirloom]

Gumbo,
     If you have to adjust anything after only 600 miles, it wasn't set right from the factory.   Mine didn't need any adjustment until they hit 8K and I had checked them 4 times at that point.  It's a royal PITA to do the valves (1800, haven't done a 1300), but, once you have done it or watched it done, it's really not that big of a deal.
     I would suggest that you have the quick connect for the fuel line available and install it while you have the tank off.  After you curse the fuel line off for the first time, you will see why.  Get yourself a .005 in and .013 in feeler gauge you don't mind cutting up and some 1/4 dowel rod.  Cut two pieces of dowel about 10" long and using an Xacto saw (or any razor saw) cut a slot in the end of the dowel and mount a short piece of the feeler gauges in the slot.  (you can drill two small holes and use two screws to hold the pieces securely).  This makes the feeler gauges easy to insert for checking clearance.....otherwise, (especially the .005 in.), they want to bend because you can't grip them close enough to the tappets.  I bought a set of 'O' rings for the inspection covers for my first adjustment....I still have them.  Just have some silicon grease on hand, coat the existing rings lightly and you won't have any leaks.
     Another good idea is to have a good strong air gun handy and blow off the area around the inspection plates BEFORE you take them off.  This will keep a lot of grit from finding its' way into the upper end of your engine.
     Lots of crap.......heed what you may......just stuff I have picked up doing my own.  If you were closer to Tyler I would offer you my shop and provide some pointers.

Take care and stay safe......

[Dusty]

The hardest part about having a Tech Session to do valves is that the bike is suppose to be cooled down, which can take several hours.

[RedDragon]

Gumbo,
     If you have to adjust anything after only 600 miles, it wasn't set right from the factory.   Mine didn't need any adjustment until they hit 8K and I had checked them 4 times at that point.  It's a royal PITA to do the valves (1800, haven't done a 1300), but, once you have done it or watched it done, it's really not that big of a deal.
     I would suggest that you have the quick connect for the fuel line available and install it while you have the tank off.  After you curse the fuel line off for the first time, you will see why.  Get yourself a .005 in and .013 in feeler gauge you don't mind cutting up and some 1/4 dowel rod.  Cut two pieces of dowel about 10" long and using an Xacto saw (or any razor saw) cut a slot in the end of the dowel and mount a short piece of the feeler gauges in the slot.  (you can drill two small holes and use two screws to hold the pieces securely).  This makes the feeler gauges easy to insert for checking clearance.....otherwise, (especially the .005 in.), they want to bend because you can't grip them close enough to the tappets.  I bought a set of 'O' rings for the inspection covers for my first adjustment....I still have them.  Just have some silicon grease on hand, coat the existing rings lightly and you won't have any leaks.
     Another good idea is to have a good strong air gun handy and blow off the area around the inspection plates BEFORE you take them off.  This will keep a lot of grit from finding its' way into the upper end of your engine.
     Lots of crap.......heed what you may......just stuff I have picked up doing my own.  If you were closer to Tyler I would offer you my shop and provide some pointers.

Take care and stay safe......

I think Gumbo has a 1300, the feeler gauges are a different size.

[hipshot]

His 1300 also calls for a 600 mile service; the 1800s don't.

[Lucky]

I have a 1300 also...had the stealer do all the initial warranty maintenance stuff around 900 miles.  I am now over 10,500 and haven't check them since the 900 mark.  So Gumbo please let me know what you find out from your friend.

[Gumbo]

Heard from my contact today and don’t think the wrench session will work for him, he gave a very good explanation of why it does not work for him. I will be getting the work done in about two weeks and will be more than happy to help after I see it done myself. Hopefully I will be doing all the work and he will be coaching.
 
Sorry Lucky, again I will be glad to help after I get mine done.

[heirloom]

Sorry Gum', didn't know you had the 1300, guess I could have looked, duh.   I guess your bike still has the inspection ports, like the 1800, so, a lot of what I said would still hold true........including my shop! 

Like Dusty said, though, the bike needs to be cold to properly set the valve clearance and it takes a long while to cool internally.  That pretty much rules out riding your bike to a valve adjusting session and expecting to 'git er dun.'

If you have your manual and the needed tools, it ain't that bad.  Just take your time.  It's really nice to KNOW that the job was done right!!

[wwaggett]

The hardest part about having a Tech Session to do valves is that the bike is suppose to be cooled down, which can take several hours.

More time to drink!!!