Valve Adjustments??? - Page 2 : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

flying V · 09-02-2003, 07:32 PM

This all sounds pretty good so far. I have still not found one bike that needed valve adjustments at all ; so what gives?

greenham · 09-09-2003, 08:37 AM

It's yet ANOTHER way that the MOCO has found to Fu$k ths $hit out of us and put more $$$$ in the pockets of the owners of the dealerships that provide sub standard service...

I swear they all get a great laugh at our expense at the dealer conventions... just swapping stories of how one screwed a customer only to be out done by another dealer with an even bigger story. And the HD rep laughing their ass's off telling them all how they designed the perfect system for the dealers to pull every possible dollar out of our pockets....

Oh geeze. "INSIDE VOICE, INSIDE VOICE" sorry

flying V · 09-09-2003, 07:23 PM

You are probably right. I love Harley Davidson motorcycles and always have and will ; but the MOCO seems to be a bunch of $$$ grubbing bastards.Like the VROD chrome jiffy stand going from 49.99 to 69.99 ; give ne a f*ck!ng break.

mjw930 · 09-09-2003, 07:38 PM

I heard that along with the 2 year warranty on '04's they are extending the service intervals. Does anyone know what these are and if it is retroactive to ours considering it's the same engine?

V-ROD 1 FL · 09-10-2003, 01:27 AM

I wonder if the 04's are now running synthetic oil and that is why they feel more comfortable woith the elongated service intervals and valve adjustments.

My understanding is that you need to drop the front portion of the frame to get to the motor and valves.

Since none of us are aware of any significant manufacturing or parts changes in the motor since 02 I would tend to agree that we could follow the 04 service schedule and not worry.

Regards.

Max · 09-10-2003, 06:45 AM

The 10k mile valve check is a joke. It should be in the 50-60k range with the type valves used in the v-rod engine.

flying V · 09-12-2003, 07:49 PM

I would have to agree Max

OU812again · 06-10-2008, 04:09 PM

I have searched but not found a post that shows the valve adjustments. Noob for sure..

road_king · 06-10-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU812again

I have searched but not found a post that shows the valve adjustments. Noob for sure..

The V-Rod H-D service manual should have all of that information.

mtkawboy · 06-15-2008, 05:57 PM

Heres a little trick I learned back in 73 when my new Z1 Kawasaki had to have the mandatory valve adjustment. I put a spot of yellow paint on each side of the valve cover. When I came back the bill was $150, they said 2 were out of adjustment. I asked him if they were hard to adjust without taking the valve cover off. He said "what do you mean, the valve cover has to come off". I showed him the paint and told him "this one hasnt been off" He was shocked and appalled and would get to the bottom of this. I said "how about this, I dont pay you and you mark it done and we call it good". Nice little money maker there. I doubt things have changed any in 35 years

rjrivero · 07-11-2008, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OU812again

I have searched but not found a post that shows the valve adjustments. Noob for sure..

HD's newest reccommendation is to do the first valve check at 15K.

I still think that's a bit on the conservative side.

Hillsidecycle.com · 07-13-2008, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtkawboy

Heres a little trick I learned back in 73 when my new Z1 Kawasaki had to have the mandatory valve adjustment. I put a spot of yellow paint on each side of the valve cover. When I came back the bill was $150, they said 2 were out of adjustment. I asked him if they were hard to adjust without taking the valve cover off. He said "what do you mean, the valve cover has to come off". I showed him the paint and told him "this one hasnt been off" He was shocked and appalled and would get to the bottom of this. I said "how about this, I dont pay you and you mark it done and we call it good". Nice little money maker there. I doubt things have changed any in 35 years

Much more than that occurs at that level.
Not at our shop.

mtkawboy · 07-14-2008, 05:30 PM

A buddy of mine who was a former tech at Beartooth Hd in Billings told me the motor had to come out is why its so expensive. Whether thats true or not I dont know, just passing it along

VtwinJaxFL · 07-20-2008, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtkawboy

A buddy of mine who was a former tech at Beartooth Hd in Billings told me the motor had to come out is why its so expensive. Whether thats true or not I dont know, just passing it along

That is true, but it isn't that big of a deal, since the lower rails of the frame unbolt so you can drop it down to adjust the valves. I also agree that you shouldn't even have them touched until 20K + unless you just like spending money for no reason. I wouldn't let just any HD mechanic do it either, if they have never done one, they will definetly have the ability to screw something up.