26.6K Valve Adjustment! Dealer says it's a waist of money!

[johndaub]

I went to my Local Greater Yamaha Dealer to get my 26.6K Valve Adjustment done in time for my trip to the SFO Rally!

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment. That was one of my selling points when I chose the FJR. I was coming off the Suzuki GSX1100G which had checks (which almost always had extra charges for them being out of spec) every 4K. I recall that the C14 was much more often than the FJR as well. By 26.6K, I would have spent over $1200 on my G in adjustments. I am looking forward to getting those miles on my FJR so that I can get the valve check.

 

[v65]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

 

[radman]

If he's right (and he isn't) you save a few hundred bucks every 26k. If he's wrong (he is) hope you banked that dough plus another $1500 or so, cause head work is not the bargain on this machine some apparently think it is and are willing to risk exploring-ask Ion.

 

[BwanaDik]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

Well, it's almost Friday. I figure by then we'll get Bust and Odot fired up as I hear they play in both camps (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and we'll probably have to suffer thru a lot more than just head scratchin'

 

[majicmaker]

I went to my Local Greater Yamaha Dealer to get my 26.6K Valve Adjustment done in time for my trip to the SFO Rally!

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment. That was one of my selling points when I chose the FJR. I was coming off the Suzuki GSX1100G which had checks (which almost always had extra charges for them being out of spec) every 4K. I recall that the C14 was much more often than the FJR as well. By 26.6K, I would have spent over $1200 on my G in adjustments. I am looking forward to getting those miles on my FJR so that I can get the valve check.

John, You're right. Read ScooterG's Clicky! There's an input in there doing the math between the FJR & C14 Valve Adjustment cost. HOLY CRAP!!!! :dribble:

 

[majicmaker]

If he's right (and he isn't) you save a few hundred bucks every 26k. If he's wrong (he is) hope you banked that dough plus another $1500 or so, cause head work is not the bargain on this machine some apparently think it is and are willing to risk exploring-ask Ion.

Oh man! I can't wait to here Ion's story!!

 

[majicmaker]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

Well, it's almost Friday. I figure by then we'll get Bust and Odot fired up as I hear they play in both camps (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and we'll probably have to suffer thru a lot more than just head scratchin'

Ok, Bust & Odot! I want your input too!!! I'm curious! :huh:

 

[Bounce]

although the odds are that nothing will need to be done, if you're one who does need adjusting, a skip that later leads to engine damage will result in a declined warranty claim as you missed a factory specified maintenance item. if you don't ride much and your warranty is already expired, you're looking at the difference in cost between a clearance check and a top end rebuild.

 

[v65]

Here is Ion's story. At some of the gatherings maintenance items are addressed. Are they doing valve clearances at SFO? If not maybe you could get a group interested.

 

[majicmaker]

although the odds are that nothing will need to be done, if you're one who does need adjusting, a skip that later leads to engine damage will result in a declined warranty claim as you missed a factory specified maintenance item. if you don't ride much and your warranty is already expired, you're looking at the difference in cost between a clearance check and a top end rebuild.

My Y.E.S. is still good for another 2 1/2 years! I'm getting it done. Thanks Bounce!

 

[zzzzip]

For what it is worth--

Mine was in for ignition recall last week and it has 24,000 on it. I mentioned the 26k valve check coming up, and the head mechanic said the same about not needing it, as he has never had one out of spec, but that he would take my money if I wanted to spend it. He said he'd leave it alone if it was his bike unless it wasn't running fine.

I mentioned my YES is good for another couple of years, and would it affect the warranty if I didn't have it checked at 26K? He said they (Yamaha) have no way of keeping check of service intervals. I could have one dealer check it at 26K (or not) and bring it in to him at 50K with a problem, and they would not know if it had been checked or not. So if it was beyond normal wear, as stated in the warranty, they'd fix it under warranty. If it was normal wear, they would not, per the warranty.

B)

 

[Fred W]

I would tend to agree with the dealership. It is a waste of money.

Pretty much any money handed to a stealership falls into that category. That's why you should learn to do it yourself.

Seriously I think it would be a very valuable bit of info to have for the next check. When you find some that are out somewhat at 50k, it sure would be nice to know what it was previously so you can determine what the rate of wear is. Doing it yourself would allow you to take copious notes, and remove much of the variability of (possibly) having different mechanics making the two measurements. As much as they don't want to admit it, measuring valve clearances with feeler gauges is somewhat subjective.

 

[odot]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

Well, it's almost Friday. I figure by then we'll get Bust and Odot fired up as I hear they play in both camps (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and we'll probably have to suffer thru a lot more than just head scratchin'

Ok, Bust & Odot! I want your input too!!! I'm curious! :huh:

Who are you and why do you care what I "put in"? Yer "curious"? Is florida the next mecca next to san fran?

 

[majicmaker]

Here is Ion's story. At some of the gatherings maintenance items are addressed. Are they doing valve clearances at SFO? If not maybe you could get a group interested.

Thanks for the Clicky v65, Read the whole ordeal!! Damn, I'm suiting to turn my bike in as I type!!!! :dribble:

 

[majicmaker]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

Well, it's almost Friday. I figure by then we'll get Bust and Odot fired up as I hear they play in both camps (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and we'll probably have to suffer thru a lot more than just head scratchin'

Ok, Bust & Odot! I want your input too!!! I'm curious! :huh:

Who are you and why do you care what I "put in"? Yer "curious"? Is florida the next mecca next to san fran?

That's Funny!! Glad to meet you too!!

 

[radman]

For what it is worth--
Mine was in for ignition recall last week and it has 24,000 on it. I mentioned the 26k valve check coming up, and the head mechanic said the same about not needing it, as he has never had one out of spec, but that he would take my money if I wanted to spend it. He said he'd leave it alone if it was his bike unless it wasn't running fine.

I mentioned my YES is good for another couple of years, and would it affect the warranty if I didn't have it checked at 26K? He said they (Yamaha) have no way of keeping check of service intervals. I could have one dealer check it at 26K (or not) and bring it in to him at 50K with a problem, and they would not know if it had been checked or not. So if it was beyond normal wear, as stated in the warranty, they'd fix it under warranty. If it was normal wear, they would not, per the warranty.

B)

Odd that. He would (should) know that if a bike starts "running unfine" due to tight valve clearances, it's already too late-a burned valve isn't fixed with a can of Seafoam. It's off with it's head-and I'd be willing to bet he'll be glad to take your money then too. I really don't get any of this-why change oil, since if the engine explodes due to "abnormal" wear, it's on Yammis dime? The fact that it runs like shit for 5000 miles before it scatters it's guts is irrelevant, since ownership is about saving money, right? Buy Priuses or Allis Chalmers, buck savers, you don't deserve high perf precision machinery.

 

[majicmaker]

For what it is worth--
Mine was in for ignition recall last week and it has 24,000 on it. I mentioned the 26k valve check coming up, and the head mechanic said the same about not needing it, as he has never had one out of spec, but that he would take my money if I wanted to spend it. He said he'd leave it alone if it was his bike unless it wasn't running fine.

I mentioned my YES is good for another couple of years, and would it affect the warranty if I didn't have it checked at 26K? He said they (Yamaha) have no way of keeping check of service intervals. I could have one dealer check it at 26K (or not) and bring it in to him at 50K with a problem, and they would not know if it had been checked or not. So if it was beyond normal wear, as stated in the warranty, they'd fix it under warranty. If it was normal wear, they would not, per the warranty.

B)

Odd that. He would (should) know that if a bike starts "running unfine" due to tight valve clearances, it's already too late-a burned valve isn't fixed with a can of Seafoam. It's off with it's head-and I'd be willing to bet he'll be glad to take your money then too. I really don't get any of this-why change oil, since if the engine explodes due to "abnormal" wear, it's on Yammis dime? The fact that it runs like shit for 5000 miles before it scatters it's guts is irrelevant, since ownership is about saving money, right? Buy Priuses or Allis Chalmers, buck savers, you don't deserve high perf precision machinery.

AMEN BROTHER!!! :assassin:

 

[odot]

I don't know why people are so tight regarding the 26.6K check/adjustment.

Diversity of opinion sometimes is informative and sometimes makes one scratch their head. When the head scratching is in both camps Fridays get exciting around here.

Well, it's almost Friday. I figure by then we'll get Bust and Odot fired up as I hear they play in both camps (if you know what I mean and I think you do) and we'll probably have to suffer thru a lot more than just head scratchin'

Ok, Bust & Odot! I want your input too!!! I'm curious! :huh:

Who are you and why do you care what I "put in"? Yer "curious"? Is florida the next mecca next to san fran?

That's Funny!! Glad to meet you too!!

Wanna be friends?

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

Odd that. He would (should) know that if a bike starts "running unfine" due to tight valve clearances, it's already too late-a burned valve isn't fixed with a can of Seafoam. It's off with it's head-and I'd be willing to bet he'll be glad to take your money then too. I really don't get any of this-why change oil, since if the engine explodes due to "abnormal" wear, it's on Yammis dime? The fact that it runs like shit for 5000 miles before it scatters it's guts is irrelevant, since ownership is about saving money, right? Buy Priuses or Allis Chalmers, buck savers, you don't deserve high perf precision machinery.

All ya'll are getting the motorcycle ya'll want.

Americans have campaigned, for years, for NO maintenance. And..., now they're finally getting it. GM has always said, "We build the vehicles Americans want." Ford says, "No maintenance for 100K miles."

Gone are efficient, easily replaceable, low power-consuming (and cheap) rubber cog timing belts -- replaced by chain-drive. B/C, Americans balk at paying for rubber cam-drive belt replacement periodically -- don't even attempt to bring-up a valve clearance check -- never gonna happen.

In fact, dealers don't overhaul/rebuild engines anymore -- for the most part. Try to find a dealer willing to rebuild your FJR engine... Altho, MamaYama must make the parts available. A nice cost reduction could ensue if we'd allow them to forget about engine rebuild hard parts -- rebuild = ain't gonna happen.

This (no hard/internal parts) is now happening with some new cars.

The Motor Company supplies replacement engine assys.

If you want to do it (vlv chk), fine -- but, it may be just so much 'busy-work'?

 

[Rolavine]

As a cheap bastard, used bike owner, if I skip all my valve sets and make it past 100K miles, and if they cost $600 each, then I've half paid for my bike!

I'm doing 6K miles on my oil changes but using rotella synth, that seems reasonable?

I love my FJR and would like to spend lots on it and make it perfect, but I've still got two more kids to get through college.

I prob check them myself before 50K, I wouldn't want to get too far out on the bell shaped curve, lol.