Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:35 pm**

It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what, $70 or so? My luck if I did that I'd only need one. On the other hand, I don't really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims I need. My dealer sez he'll do the 500mile checkup for like $75 (including oil change), which seems awful cheap to me, and makes me wonder if what he really does is one of those telepathic valve jobs - you know, "yeah, the valves are fine" without even checking. The dealership is about 50miles from here, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble getting the bike there AND get screwed outta my money too. What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer honest? I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I don't get. Sincerely, Jim Hubbard

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:41 pm**

For $75 there is no way he's doing the valve check. You could insist on him doing it, which would make the service more like $150 or $175, and have him write down the clearances measured, the shims installed, and return the shims he took out. You could put a spot of white-out across a hard-to-see area of the valve cover mating surface- see if it's been broken. Almost as much work as doing it yourself. Anyone on the list close enough to help? The KLR takes the same shims as a BMW K-bike so maybe there's a closer source and you could swap shims. Devon Jim Hubbard wrote:

>It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a >valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to >actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of >shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what, $70 >or so? My luck if I did that I'd only need one. On the other hand, I don't >really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims I need. >My dealer sez he'll do the 500mile checkup for like $75 (including oil >change), which seems awful cheap to me, and makes me wonder if what he >really does is one of those telepathic valve jobs - you know, "yeah, the >valves are fine" without even checking. The dealership is about 50miles >from here, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble getting the bike there AND >get screwed outta my money too. > >What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer honest? >I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I >don't get. > > >Sincerely, >Jim Hubbard > > >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: >DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > >

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 8:45 pm**

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Devon Jarvis wrote:

> > Almost as much work as doing it yourself. Anyone on the list

close

> enough to help? The KLR takes the same shims as a BMW K-bike so

maybe

> there's a closer source and you could swap shims.

Just figure out which shims you need and then go buy them. It's not all that hard to find them. Fred will send you some if you can stand having your cam cover off the bike for a day or two.

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:17 pm**

Good luck Jim, Find out if the dealer has any shims in stock, maybe you won't have to wait a week. Get friendly with the mechanic, maybe he has a stash, (AND DON'T LET THEM BULLSHIT YOU, USED ONE'S ARE JUST FINE). If you do have the dealer do it, ask for the clearences, and old shims. Put a strip of dark paint in a hard to see place to see if the valve cover was ever removed. If your close to Northeast OK. I'd be glad to help. Good luck, Dave A12 Jim Hubbard wrote:It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what, $70 or so? My luck if I did that I'd only need one. On the other hand, I don't really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims I need. My dealer sez he'll do the 500mile checkup for like $75 (including oil change), which seems awful cheap to me, and makes me wonder if what he really does is one of those telepathic valve jobs - you know, "yeah, the valves are fine" without even checking. The dealership is about 50miles from here, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble getting the bike there AND get screwed outta my money too. What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer honest? I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I don't get. Sincerely, Jim Hubbard List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, and more [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:23 pm**

I dunno. I'm not very trusting of dealers either.......had my negative experiences. When I had the first 600 mile "check-up"(on my old A14), I was charged only $110.......and this is in NYC. One thing I did was bring a check-off sheet requesting the before and after valve measurements, among other things. I believe this made them realize I was vigilant and might check-up on their work. When I rode out after, there was a noticeable difference in sound and performance which I've come to recognize as a real valve adjustment. If you bought the bike from them, they could be doing it at a nominal fee as a courtesy, hoping to retain you as a future customer, and to avoid warranty problems before the year is up. I like Devon's idea of making a white-out mark across a hidden section of the valve cover junction. The Mule

----- Original Message ----- From: "Devon Jarvis" To: "KLR650 group" DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 9:37 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] 500mile KLR checkup > For $75 there is no way he's doing the valve check. You could insist on > him doing it, which would make the service more like $150 or $175, and > have him write down the clearances measured, the shims installed, and > return the shims he took out. > > You could put a spot of white-out across a hard-to-see area of the valve > cover mating surface- see if it's been broken. > > Almost as much work as doing it yourself. Anyone on the list close > enough to help? The KLR takes the same shims as a BMW K-bike so maybe > there's a closer source and you could swap shims. > > Devon > > Jim Hubbard wrote: > > >It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a > >valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to > >actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of > >shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what, $70 > >or so? My luck if I did that I'd only need one. On the other hand, I don't > >really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims I need. > >My dealer sez he'll do the 500mile checkup for like $75 (including oil > >change), which seems awful cheap to me, and makes me wonder if what he > >really does is one of those telepathic valve jobs - you know, "yeah, the > >valves are fine" without even checking. The dealership is about 50miles > >from here, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble getting the bike there AND > >get screwed outta my money too. > > > >What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer honest? > >I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I > >don't get. > > > > > >Sincerely, > >Jim Hubbard > > > > > >List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > >Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > >DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > > > > >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 9:52 pm**

Jim, why don't you check the valves yourself. If you check, and not adjust the valves, it will accomplish two things. First, you will know for yourself what the clearances are, and second, you will learn a great deal about your bike. Then, if you still want someone else to adjust the valves for you, you can tell them which valves need how much. I'd be willing to bet that once you have checked the valves yourself and put it back together, you will end up wanting to adjust them yourself later. I don't have a service manual. So far, I've gotten all the information needed from this list. Allan http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.htm

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Hubbard" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 8:28 PM Subject: [DSN_klr650] 500mile KLR checkup > It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a > valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to > actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of > shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what, $70 > or so? My luck if I did that I'd only need one. On the other hand, I don't > really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims I need. > My dealer sez he'll do the 500mile checkup for like $75 (including oil > change), which seems awful cheap to me, and makes me wonder if what he > really does is one of those telepathic valve jobs - you know, "yeah, the > valves are fine" without even checking. The dealership is about 50miles > from here, so I'd hate to go to all the trouble getting the bike there AND > get screwed outta my money too. > > What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer honest? > I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I > don't get. > > > Sincerely, > Jim Hubbard > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

Posted: **Mon Mar 03, 2003 10:15 pm**

Yeah, I'll prolly sleep better doing the job myself and knowing it's right anyway. I guess I'll open it up, check the clearances, and get that Fred dude to rocket-mail 'em to me or something. Next on my agenda will be a doohickeyectomy, maybe in a few months. Anybody near Eden, NC with any experience or the proper tools? Sincerely, Jim Hubbard

> -----Original Message----- > From: monahanwb [mailto:monahanwb@...] > Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 9:46 PM > To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: 500mile KLR checkup > > > --- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Devon Jarvis wrote: > > > Almost as much work as doing it yourself. Anyone on the list > close > > enough to help? The KLR takes the same shims as a BMW K-bike so > maybe > > there's a closer source and you could swap shims. > > Just figure out which shims you need and then go buy them. It's not > all that hard to find them. Fred will send you some if you can stand > having your cam cover off the bike for a day or two. > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List > FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

Posted: **Tue Mar 04, 2003 4:30 am**

> It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course includes a > valve adjustment. The thing is, I don't know if I trust my dealer to > actually do it. I would much rather do it myself if I had a full set of > shims and a torque wrench. Of course a full set of shims is about what,

$70

> or so?

Jim, from many accounts, you're wise to not trust your dealer. And a 500 mile checkup for $75 makes it certain. No matter how good you are, or how many you've done, I would doubt that you could take everything apart, do a clearance check / adjustment, and get it all back together in less than an hour - and have it done right. Fred Hink at Arrowhead Motorsports: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/index.html , ( moabmc@... ), has a good price on shims and would probably be able to tell you which sizes are most often used for the first adjustment. Although there's going to be variation, I think you should be all set, and then some, if you buy in the 2.35 - 2.55 range. (But check with Fred to be sure.)

> What are your thoughts on this? Is there any way to keep my dealer

honest?

> I feel like I'm doomed to either pay for parts I don't need or service I

I REALLY encourage you to give this a shot on your own. It's kind of "scary" to think about doing the first time, but you'll find it really isn't that big of a deal. Check my website at: http://klr6500.tripod.com/valves.htm for a procedure that's been very well received. The website is an absolute freebie, so you've already saved right there. If you really, really aren't up to even trying to do it yourself, you might try RTV, or some kind of material that won't fall off or be affected by heat, in a hard to see / access location. Maybe remove the gas tank, or something like that, and get it up in there to bridge the engine top and valve cover. If the dealer actually does the job, he'll break the "seal," if you pick up the bike and find the seal unbroken but are charged for the job... well, you know the numerous list stories about crooked dealers are true. I hope that helps, Mark KLR650 Motorcycle Pages: http://klr6500.tripod.com/ HomePage: http://home.adelphia.net/~msaint/index.html My Adelphia Email can be "iffy." If you don't get a response, please try: KLR6500@...

Posted: **Tue Mar 04, 2003 5:36 am**

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "Jim Hubbard" wrote:

> I don't > really wanna tear it down and then wait a week for just the shims

Check in with Fred, he can probably fed ex them overnight to you.

Posted: **Tue Mar 04, 2003 6:51 am**

Be careful! And bring a shim with you from your motor. The KLR uses 29mm shims, but there are 29.5mm shims around in certain bikes (I've heard) and they won't work. But they're close enough in size that you might not eyeball the difference. Devon david gay wrote:

> Devon, > > I believe Yamaha XJ-550-750 etc. shims are also the same. > > Dave A12 > > Devon Jarvis wrote: > > The KLR takes the same shims as a BMW K-bike so maybe > there's a closer source and you could swap shims. > > Devon > > Jim Hubbard wrote: > > >It's time for my first 500 mile service now, which of course > includes a > >valve adjustment. >

Wilsons Sandbox

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