Valve Clearance adjust - How often

[Dockem]

Did a search, info must be buried somewhere?

How often are people having the valve clearance adjusted? Anything to indicate that it is needed, other than mileage?

I have a '08GW/RS with approx. 47K miles, bought at 45K, no previous owner records to go by. Valves are not clicking or noisy that I can tell. The manual states every 32K miles or when noisy.



Since the original owner(s?) should have had this done, and they appear to be quiet, any sage advice on whether I should have the shop do this for the Spring checkup etc?



As a Noobe to GW, I am unsure if it is a priority issue this Spring. I am not a high mileage rider (for now). Also, I am not comfortable trying to do this myself as I am relatively new to the GW. Just trying keep from getting a whopping shop bill.

Thanks for input.

[keepinon]

Like you, I purchased my '07 'Wing used, only 10k miles. The only records were the prior owners memory. That being said, I had my valves adjusted at 38k miles, just for peace of mind. Only three valves were out of adjustment, none by more that .005, mechanic said that would probably never hurt it. I'm glad I had it done, now I know. I've talked to owners that haven't checked their valve clearance for 80k miles... and they seem to still be doing good.

[GoldWingrGreg]

A valve adjustment is pay-forward maintenance. It needs to be done every 32k. However, be careful. Most shops will only check and confirm that they are within their +- 0.001" spec. Basically, Honda says to have them checked and adjusted every 32k is because of this. Them engineers know that normal cam, cam journal, and seat wear can change their lash, at most, 0.001" in a 32k period. So, if a valve spec is 0.006 +- 0.001", and it's now at 0.005", that means that during the next 32k period, it can easily fall outside of its spec. The idea is for this ... when it falls out of spec from 0.006 to 0.005, it is still in spec and waiting to be adjusted again.

If the shop you choose does not have a large inventory of shims, you might want to find another shop. Very few are willing to tie up shop space for 3 days while waiting on a $7.25 shim. My shim stock is valued at over $3000.00



Here are the benefits when they are adjusted to their "center spec."

- quicker starts

- snappier acceleration

- better fuel economy

- smoother running

Basically, valves adjusted correctly means that an equal amount of air/fuel mixture goes into each combustion chamber, and an equal amount of burt gases go out.

[tfdeputydawg]

Valves are not clicking or noisy that I can tellThanks for input.

FYI, they do not get noisy, they tighten as they wear!

[David357]

FYI, they do not get noisy, they tighten as they wear!

I found this out when my valves were adjusted at 97K. The previous adjustment was at 65K.

Nine out of the twelve valves were slightly out of adjustment on the tighter side.

[Dockem]

Okay, I'm sold. The more I thought about it, I have no guarantee the previous owners did the maintenance. I'll go the safe route and have it done.

[GoldWingrGreg]

Okay, I'm sold. The more I thought about it, I have no guarantee the previous owners did the maintenance. I'll go the safe route and have it done.

Good for you ... nothing beats even combustion in all cylinders. Good luck finding a shop that center specs them. For most, taking your money and saying they are all good is easier.