how important are valve adjustments on a new bike

[debelm2]

Hi,
Can anyone help me with this. Just bought a 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic less then a month ago. When I bought it the dealer said I needed to bring it back in for a valve adjustment, oil change etc. when I hit 1,000 miles. Well I am over 1,200 now and haven't got it in yet. Have a chance to go on a road trip this weekend and really don't have the time or 350.00 right now. Is it really that important to get this done now? How long can I wait to do this? I don't want to do anything that will damage the bike but it doesn't seem right that I just bought this bike brand new and already have to put 350.00 into it already. Is this something that all new bikes need to have done? Any help would be great. Thanks.

[woodsie831]

I dont know about the 800's but the 1600's have hydraulic lifters that dont require adjustment. this topic went back and forth on the old volusia site. the 800 vol required valve adjustments but the popular opinion was that the dealer is just trying to get your $350. I kept mine for about 2500 mi (outgrew it fast i guess) and i never adjusted the valves and there were no problems. i wouldnt worry too much about it if I were you. It will have to be done eventually, but 1000 mi seems too soon. anyone feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

[ppark]

Hi,
Can anyone help me with this. Just bought a 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic less then a month ago. When I bought it the dealer said I needed to bring it back in for a valve adjustment, oil change etc. when I hit 1,000 miles. Well I am over 1,200 now and haven't got it in yet. Have a chance to go on a road trip this weekend and really don't have the time or 350.00 right now. Is it really that important to get this done now? How long can I wait to do this? I don't want to do anything that will damage the bike but it doesn't seem right that I just bought this bike brand new and already have to put 350.00 into it already. Is this something that all new bikes need to have done? Any help would be great. Thanks.

If it requires periodic valve adjustment, it sure isn't at 1,000 miles. Look at your owner's manual to see when you have to do it. It should be more like 7500 miles at least. And find another dealer.

[hot_shoe_cv]

First, you need to change your oil yourself along with other fluids except coolant. Consult your owners manual for this info and also the info on other simple maintenance jobs. A good shop manual is certainly a worthwhile investment for other types of servicing requirements in the future.
As for the initial valve adjustment, it is a good idea to have this done by someone knowledgible. In a new engine, the valves often tend to close below specs in the process of seating, causing loss of power and potential for damage to the valves.
I think I would investigate another source of service than the dealer who quoted you that price for the work

[1400pilot]

welcome debelm, cant help you with the question but just wait and I bet woodchuck will be able to help you, he's our resident 800 expert, and boy does he know what he talking about, take his advice and you can never go wrong!!!

[RicksV2k]

Hi,

And welcome the 800 does need to have the valves adjusted but not till the 6000 mi service please do change your oil and tighten your bolts all over the bike also adjust your chain an lube it.Where in nh are you from I'm from Rindge I've got 4300mi. on mine with no problems great little bike.

Ride safe
Rick

Hi,
Can anyone help me with this. Just bought a 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic less then a month ago. When I bought it the dealer said I needed to bring it back in for a valve adjustment, oil change etc. when I hit 1,000 miles. Well I am over 1,200 now and haven't got it in yet. Have a chance to go on a road trip this weekend and really don't have the time or 350.00 right now. Is it really that important to get this done now? How long can I wait to do this? I don't want to do anything that will damage the bike but it doesn't seem right that I just bought this bike brand new and already have to put 350.00 into it already. Is this something that all new bikes need to have done? Any help would be great. Thanks.

[woodchucks800]

Hi,
Can anyone help me with this. Just bought a 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic less then a month ago. When I bought it the dealer said I needed to bring it back in for a valve adjustment, oil change etc. when I hit 1,000 miles. Well I am over 1,200 now and haven't got it in yet. Have a chance to go on a road trip this weekend and really don't have the time or 350.00 right now. Is it really that important to get this done now? How long can I wait to do this? I don't want to do anything that will damage the bike but it doesn't seem right that I just bought this bike brand new and already have to put 350.00 into it already. Is this something that all new bikes need to have done? Any help would be great. Thanks.

First off Debelm welcome to the forum ,you've got yourself one bulletproof bike so enjoy it. Don't listen to your dealer he doesn't know what he's talking about. Your owner's manual might mention that you need the adjusment at 600 miles an then every 6,000 miles, but kawi did away with recommending the 600 mile adjustment (but they haven't taken it out of the owner's manual yet)The cost when having it done shouldn't be more than a $150 to $200 in my opinion but thats not my call, the rest of what he's charging is for an oil change an chain adjustment. Go on your road trip an don't give the valve adjustment another thought until around 6,000 to 8,000 miles then have it done(or better yet do it yourself if youre mechaniclly inclined) You ought to learn to change your oil an adjust your chain an maintain it, you'll save alot of money for other things ( like chrome) $350 would by you a nice set of pipes! here's a thread about doing the valve adjustment with a couple of pics .http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ad.php?t=10375 If you ever have any other questions about the 800 just ask an there will be plenty of answers from me an the other 800 owners on this site . You might check out changing the sprockets for better highway cruising , you won't be disappointed with the out come.

[Kawi]

First off Debelm welcome to the forum ,you've got yourself one bulletproof bike so enjoy it. Don't listen to your dealer he doesn't know what he's talking about. Your owner's manual might mention that you need the adjusment at 600 miles an then every 6,000 miles, but kawi did away with recommending the 600 mile adjustment (but they haven't taken it out of the owner's manual yet)The cost when having it done shouldn't be more than a $150 to $200 in my opinion but thats not my call, the rest of what he's charging is for an oil change an chain adjustment. Go on your road trip an don't give the valve adjustment another thought until around 6,000 to 8,000 miles then have it done(or better yet do it yourself if youre mechaniclly inclined) You ought to learn to change your oil an adjust your chain an maintain it, you'll save alot of money for other things ( like chrome) $350 would by you a nice set of pipes! here's a thread about doing the valve adjustment with a couple of pics .http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ad.php?t=10375 If you ever have any other questions about the 800 just ask an there will be plenty of answers from me an the other 800 owners on this site . You might check out changing the sprockets for better highway cruising , you won't be disappointed with the out come.

I agree that they are about $200.00 high on that service!

[Kawi]

I would hope the dealer would do the first oil change free. We do that so we can check for casting burrs and anything unusual going on.

[woodchucks800]

Not only that they are about $200.00 high on that service!

Thats what I think too Jim ,but I don't think his road trip is coming out to Redlodge how are you an lori at being a traveling maintance shop? It's one way to see the country an pick up some pocket money along the way

[debelm2]

I dont know about the 800's but the 1600's have hydraulic lifters that dont require adjustment. this topic went back and forth on the old volusia site. the 800 vol required valve adjustments but the popular opinion was that the dealer is just trying to get your $350. I kept mine for about 2500 mi (outgrew it fast i guess) and i never adjusted the valves and there were no problems. i wouldnt worry too much about it if I were you. It will have to be done eventually, but 1000 mi seems too soon. anyone feel free to correct me if i'm wrong.

Should have got the 1600 and wouldn't have this problem ! Is the bike bigger or just the engine size? Didn't even look at one. Old bike was a 400 so I thought I'd be over my head with anything that big. How long was it before you "out grew" the 800.

[debelm2]

If it requires periodic valve adjustment, it sure isn't at 1,000 miles. Look at your owner's manual to see when you have to do it. It should be more like 7500 miles at least. And find another dealer.

Not much for choices for Kawasaki dealers around here. Found only two in my area. First one had only one red bike on display at a mall and couldn't get it until the mall closed. Said he would try to find another one since I wanted to get it that day. Know all he was going to do was call other dealers so I did it instead and found one so I don't think he would probably be to happy dealing with me since I bought it some where else. How many riders deal only with Kawasaki for their bikes or do you go to other bike shops for repairs?
Never had to worry about this with old bike!

[debelm2]

First, you need to change your oil yourself along with other fluids except coolant. Consult your owners manual for this info and also the info on other simple maintenance jobs. A good shop manual is certainly a worthwhile investment for other types of servicing requirements in the future.
As for the initial valve adjustment, it is a good idea to have this done by someone knowledgible. In a new engine, the valves often tend to close below specs in the process of seating, causing loss of power and potential for damage to the valves.
I think I would investigate another source of service than the dealer who quoted you that price for the work

Will change oil as soon as possible. Need to read up on "other fluids". Only shop manuals I saw on ebay go to 04. Close enough? Dealer said they haven't changed much of anything on bike except color in the last 10 years.

[debelm2]

welcome debelm, cant help you with the question but just wait and I bet woodchuck will be able to help you, he's our resident 800 expert, and boy does he know what he talking about, take his advice and you can never go wrong!!!

Thanks for the welcome!! And thanks to everyone else for all your help. This is a great forum. So much information! Have been reading all week and I don't feel like I have even put a dent in it yet!!!!!!!

[debelm2]

[QUOTE=Ricksvn800a]Hi,

And welcome the 800 does need to have the valves adjusted but not till the 6000 mi service please do change your oil and tighten your bolts all over the bike also adjust your chain an lube it.Where in nh are you from I'm from Rindge I've got 4300mi. on mine with no problems great little bike.

Ride safe
Rick[/QUOTE

Thanks. Not sure about all the bolts that need tightening And will have to do some more reading on chain adjustment. I live in Webster, NH. Won't be surprised if you haven't heard of it. Pretty small town. About 20 miles west of Concord. Glad to hear that this is such a good bike. I love just getting on it and riding and not having to worry about leaking carburators or frozen choke cable etc!!!!

[debelm2]

First off Debelm welcome to the forum ,you've got yourself one bulletproof bike so enjoy it. Don't listen to your dealer he doesn't know what he's talking about. Your owner's manual might mention that you need the adjusment at 600 miles an then every 6,000 miles, but kawi did away with recommending the 600 mile adjustment (but they haven't taken it out of the owner's manual yet)The cost when having it done shouldn't be more than a $150 to $200 in my opinion but thats not my call, the rest of what he's charging is for an oil change an chain adjustment. Go on your road trip an don't give the valve adjustment another thought until around 6,000 to 8,000 miles then have it done(or better yet do it yourself if youre mechaniclly inclined) You ought to learn to change your oil an adjust your chain an maintain it, you'll save alot of money for other things ( like chrome) $350 would by you a nice set of pipes! here's a thread about doing the valve adjustment with a couple of pics .http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ad.php?t=10375 If you ever have any other questions about the 800 just ask an there will be plenty of answers from me an the other 800 owners on this site . You might check out changing the sprockets for better highway cruising , you won't be disappointed with the out come.

Thanks woodchuck!!! You made my day!!!!! From what i have read you really know your stuff and I am so glad this is not something I have to worry about right now! I did change my oil etc on my old bike so I figure I'll be able to handle that. And will read up on adjusting the chain but I am not sure about the valve adjustment. I will check out the site you suggested. But the dealer said that you need specific shims for this bike to do it. ??? As far as the pipes and sprocket, I don't know if I would really know the difference? Even though I have ridden for over 20 years it's been an 82 honda cm400. I really don't know alot about different pipes etc. Is it really something that would make a big difference. Compared to my old bike this one is a cadillac just like it is!!!!!

[debelm2]

I would hope the dealer would do the first oil change free. We do that so we can check for casting burrs and anything unusual going on.

My brother met me down at the dealership to ride home with me and he said the same thing!!!!! But he did get them to give me a sweatshirt for free!!!!! Is it common to find casting burrs ? in the oil. Would I be able to notice this if I change it myself?

[lcseds]

This is what I questioned the dealer on a few days ago (I pick the new bike tomorrow). He (the owner) said 600 mile service is ~$200 (1.5-2 hrs labor + parts). That's with a valve clearance check. If they need adjusting, add another $100 labor. He said 9.99 times out of ten, no adjustment is needed. I suggested to him, that after only 600 miles, any valve adjustment that may be needed might be because of manufacturing and not 600 miles of use. I was curious why there was a possibility that *I* would have to pay a couple hundred bucks to readjust something that may have come from the factory "off". "It's maintenece" is pretty much all I could get for an answer.
It simply helps to pad the dealer after the sale. When they dangle the warranty in front of you, you tend to go to the dealer for the first year. Personally, I think the whole first service should be considered warranty work (within reason).

[woodchucks800]

This is what I questioned the dealer on a few days ago (I pick the new bike tomorrow). He (the owner) said 600 mile service is ~$200 (1.5-2 hrs labor + parts). That's with a valve clearance check. If they need adjusting, add another $100 labor. He said 9.99 times out of ten, no adjustment is needed. I suggested to him, that after only 600 miles, any valve adjustment that may be needed might be because of manufacturing and not 600 miles of use. I was curious why there was a possibility that *I* would have to pay a couple hundred bucks to readjust something that may have come from the factory "off". "It's maintenece" is pretty much all I could get for an answer.
It simply helps to pad the dealer after the sale. When they dangle the warranty in front of you, you tend to go to the dealer for the first year. Personally, I think the whole first service should be considered warranty work (within reason).

The extended warranty is a major waste of money on the 800, There's only 4 things you'll ever need to do to the 800 . check nuts an bolts for tightness,change the oil an filter, check the adjustment of the chain, an check the adjustment of the valves every 6 to 8,000 miles. Oh an change the other fuilds per reccommended times.

[Torques]

I had the dealer checkup at 1000 or whatever it was and they did the valves, now I have over 8000 miles, is it necessary to do it again soon or how long can I wait?