new bike stuff

[transalp 1]

I will be checking the valve lash as soon as I can get some free shop time. At 600 miles, there's an acceptable patter of valves ticking. I'm hoping that's all 4 and i don't have one going tight ( a quiet valve). The shop where I hang out has a large assortment of shims. So, I'm covered there. The bike starts and runs perfectly. Mpg was 56.5 when I was able to check it. The dealership filled it up when I bought the bike. It seems weird to go 600 miles and have only bought one tank of gas but I love it! As reported in another post, I just did the 600 mile service by the book. I am most happy to report that aside from one or two passenger footpeg mount & turn signal bolts being a tiny bit loose, all was tip-top. The Scottoiler has kept the chain happy. The engine has consumed no appreciable amount of oil and I can't wait to install the doohickey upgrade & check the valves so I can go ride-ride in complete confidence. =) eddie [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[harpbone]

HI... I'm a new member here. I have a 2008 KLR650 that's just passed 1000 miles. Today I got the valve cover off and found that all valves are in spec but all are at or near minimum clearance. So I'm going to proceed with the valve adjustment. I've never done much maintenance on other bikes I've owned, but I have wrenched on some 70s era VW Beetles so I've got some tools and basic skills. I'm following the MarkNet procedure and also referring to the 2008+ factory service manual. Question: The MarkNet procedure says to remove only the center 12mm bolt and spring from the cam chain tensioner, while the factory manual has some warning about a "non-resetting system" and its procedure shows to remove the entire cam chain tensioning unit. The MarkNet procedure is definitely simpler. Is the MarkNet procedure OK for a 2008 (or newer) KLR? Tip: I discovered that one of those solid metal spark plug gap tools (about the same size as a 50-cent piece) exactly fits the slots in the plastic plugs on the left side of the engine. Thanks!