Valve check

[LAZO818]

So I've been considering performing the valve clearance check myself on my 09 CBR 1000 since its a few hundred miles from hitting its 24K mile mark. This particular service is pricey at a shop so I figured I could pocket the money by doing it on my own.
Have any of you guys done this yourself... if so what tips or suggestions do you have? Did you also have a shim kit in case you needed to make any adjustments?

I found this pretty detailed write up as well :

https://www.fireblader.dk/i_files/cbr..._clearance.htm

I've also watched a few youtube videos that have given me an idea....

[OOTV]

I’ve done this on my 95 Ducati 900SS but that bike it’s pretty easy to get to the top end. Before I attempted it, I made sure I had all the proper tools and any manuals, how-to videos at the ready. I will say having a shim kit is a good idea, as the last thing you want to do is get everything apart and find out that you’re out of spec and not have the shim you need to correct the issue. This typically means leaving the top end off for however long it takes to get the shim(s) or putting everything back together temporarily until you get the the shim(s).

When I did it, I started bright and early so I had plenty of time to deal with anything unexpected, I.e. broken bolt, stubborn fasteners or other item that gets in the way of progress. This way if I needed to run out and grab something, chances are the store/shop would still be open.

[Pearl zx6]

You can typically go in to your local shops and trade shims for a small fee. Try to stick to OE shims, you are in luck Honda shims are the cheapest from all the other manufactures.

I didn't read the write up that you posted but after you take your initial measurements if some of the valves are out of spec loosen the cam retainers then re-torque to spec. Go back and remeasure before you take everything apart. You never know if the previous guys hand torque is different than your torque wrench.

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[1greatpandawan]

^ True about swapping shims, my local dealer would do it for free (if they have it laying around of course) just make sure you bring the out of spec ones and metric calipers just to confirm you got the right ones,!otherwise Honda’s shims are under $5 each (if I’m not mistaken)

Btw...One thing you won’t find on the write ups is how much of resistance you should “feel” when you slide the feeler gage for it not to be too tight or too loose since it’s your first time doing it. I think this is the part where you need someone to guide you (IMHO).

[mikesx4911]

I have a 11 CBR1000 that's at 28k never been inspected.... I just said it.. It's a honda I will do it at 30k. And I'm also playing with the idea of just doing it myself. I have broken the bike down before to this point but the whole inspection of the valves to me is where it gets a little hairy. But not a bad time to flush the radiator and replace the spark plugs at the same time.

[LAZO818]

Originally Posted by mikesx4911

I have a 11 CBR1000 that's at 28k never been inspected.... I just said it.. It's a honda I will do it at 30k. And I'm also playing with the idea of just doing it myself. I have broken the bike down before to this point but the whole inspection of the valves to me is where it gets a little hairy. But not a bad time to flush the radiator and replace the spark plugs at the same time.

Let's have a moto valve clinic! Ya I was recently chatting to a tech that used to work at the North Hollywood Honda Dealer and he mentioned that this bike doesn't typically require any adjustments at the 24K mark. It's mainly for peace of mind and suggested routine maintenance...

I'm on the same page about doing the service and feeling a little bit uneasy, but I would be more so if it actually needed to be adjusted.

[mikesx4911]

Originally Posted by LAZO818

Let's have a moto valve clinic! Ya I was recently chatting to a tech that used to work at the North Hollywood Honda Dealer and he mentioned that this bike doesn't typically require any adjustments at the 24K mark. It's mainly for peace of mind and suggested routine maintenance...

I'm on the same page about doing the service and feeling a little bit uneasy, but I would be more so if it actually needed to be adjusted.

I'm down with that!! I have a garage haha. I was thinking maybe just tear the bike down to the valves and than hire a mobile mechanic to actually come and check it. If I need shims than I will order the shims for that spec and have him install it and than put everything back together. I checked with motorhelmets today in Fullerton they wanted 450 for valve inspection/adjustment...

[LAZO818]

Originally Posted by mikesx4911

I'm down with that!! I have a garage haha. I was thinking maybe just tear the bike down to the valves and than hire a mobile mechanic to actually come and check it. If I need shims than I will order the shims for that spec and have him install it and than put everything back together. I checked with motorhelmets today in Fullerton they wanted 450 for valve inspection/adjustment...

Sounds like we're on the same level! Most of these shops are gonna charge you for labor on tear down/ rebuild. I'd say its about an hour of labor to just check the clearance if not less. So If you can do everything else yourself and just get the inspection done, it would definitely save money!

[mikesx4911]

Originally Posted by LAZO818

Sounds like we're on the same level! Most of these shops are gonna charge you for labor on tear down/ rebuild. I'd say its about an hour of labor to just check the clearance if not less. So If you can do everything else yourself and just get the inspection done, it would definitely save money!

Yup, I will check around with some mobile mechanics next week and see what they say.

[LAZO818]

Originally Posted by mikesx4911

Yup, I will check around with some mobile mechanics next week and see what they say.

Or if any of you guys that commented wanna make some cash since you've done it on your bikes let us know too!

[mikesx4911]

Originally Posted by LAZO818

Or if any of you guys that commented wanna make some cash since you've done it on your bikes let us know too!

That would be preferable. If you want we can tear down our bikes together in the garage haha

[Tonybeau]

Would you not be better performing the inspection yourself? If nothing needs adjusted then you can button everything back up.

The real work would be if something needs adjusted as you need to remove the cams, timing chain etc.

[LAZO818]

Originally Posted by Tonybeau

Would you not be better performing the inspection yourself? If nothing needs adjusted then you can button everything back up.

The real work would be if something needs adjusted as you need to remove the cams, timing chain etc.

That's the ideal situation in regards to the just the inspection... however as mentioned by Panda in regards to "feel" is what Mike and I are a little sketchy about. SO hence the offer to someone with experience in that aspect.

[Tonybeau]

Got it..makes sense.

Have only done dirt bikes and found the problem with the feel was the angle the feeler gauge goes in at. I found some angled gauges which were slightly easier but can also just bend the regular ones depending on the thickness.

[rgbeard]

I know I'm a little late to the party to comment, but I've always done my own valve checks.

It's great to me, as it forces me to get my hands a little dirty, get intimate with the machine, and I also almost always find things to do that an ordinary shop would skip over.

For your first time, plan on this being a little bit of downtime. Take your time. Don't hurry. You'll be well-rewarded when you hear it fire up for the first time after surgery.

[MrGreen]

Originally Posted by LAZO818

That's the ideal situation in regards to the just the inspection...

That’s the worst situation to me. Taking apart a perfectly good motorcycle and disassembling a perfectly good engine for nothing...




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