Don’t complain about the valves

The next time you hear someone complaining about adjusting the valves ask them to come to Brunswick and I will introduce them to adjusting the valves on a Honda VT 750 Shadow. To get to the valves you have to remove the carburetors in addition to the gas tank, air box and the cylinder side covers. They say to drain the coolant, but since you only have to remove a couple of upper hoses, you can limit the coolant loss to about a pint if you don’t mind getting coolant on the engine and floor. I had to use a syringe to suck coolant out of the tubing to avoid getting it in the valves. The seat and some of the other trim also has to come off. It’s a real pain. Fortunately, with water cooled engines the valve adjustment interval is a good bit longer. Compared to my Honda my XJ is a piece of cake.

 

Read about the ordeal for a VFR800. That’s scary!

 

Vfr is a technological marvel. Not surprised that the adjustment is a big job. Aren't the valves gear driven on the older ones? Supposed to be super reliable, but I guess an engineering degree would help. I'd love one of the old vfr500s. Or any for that matter. Seems like a really cool ride.

 

Guess I had better see if the valves have been adjusted on the uncle's vfr500 before I purchase it...

 

Ever seen the process on the desmodromic valve system on some Ducati's? Cool technology but pretty expensive to maintain.

 

They are pretty cheap to do once you know how to do it yourself. I haven't done one myself, but a few of my friends have. The tricky bit seems to be remembering to think about clearance a bit differently, since one adjustment is for opening and the other for closing.

 

Was thinking more along the lines of paying the dealer to maintain. Always cheaper yourself but not everyone has the mindset to do so.