Is everyone broke?

You mean valve adjustment not valve job. Right.OK
If it is idleing correctly the valves cannot be off very much.
If a valve is really tight -like so tight the thickness gauge will not push in (.002),
then it probably won't idle either.


Take a pair of calipers and dial in .001 thousandths , look at that ....See what I mean?
Don't worry too much.

But you can do it this winter. Take your time.

About the brake bleeding. You do not need any fancy stuff.
Just a glass jar and some clear plastic tubing.
Fill the jar about 1/3 with brake fluid and bleed the brakes by pumping the pedal.
Make sure the hose is down in the jar in the fluid at all times.
Make sure to add fluid to the master cylinder so you do not introduce bubbles into the system.
End of story.

IF the brakes work and the master has fluid you do not need to bleed them unless you just want to introduce new fluid into the system.

 

You make a great point about people repairing and reusing in this clusterf**k of an economy. Being a science major, I have seen the evidence of anthropogenic (human) forcing of climate change. Climate would be changing with or without us being here, but we are making it go WAY faster. I think it is a good thing that some people are going to be more sustainable and appreciate what they have more. My grandparents grew up through the last depression and there was very few things that my grandpa couldn't fix, and nothing he wouldn't try to fix. But many people I go to school with simply don't check or change their oil. they just get a new car when the one they have seizes up. I wish I had learned more from my grandpas before they died... I'm not going to get on a soap box:soapbox: but the waste in our society is disgusting. It needs to be curbed (no pun intended) or we will be in a situation that we can't get out of.... this gets me thinking about all of the problems the US has, and where the future will take us, and I'm getting a bit depressed and angry so I will stop.

ANYWAY...

She idles just fine. I will have to see what I'm doing in order to really understand what you're talking about, never seen the valves in an engine (not in person anyway) but I'm sure it will make more sense when I get in there.
You're right, this winter will be a perfect time, and I won't miss out on any riding time. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Have a good one Don.

 

Good on you for doing your own servicing.
I recently did my new to me Gen 5 brake flush.
It is straight forward just follow the bleed steps in the manual.
Bleed point one on my Gen 5 is on the front right upper bleed valve. It is required to pump the rear brake. Took me half an hour to work that one out:doh:

 

Maybe you priced it too low.
Don't laugh; I know I get suspicious when I see a part listed for half what the others are going for. I assume its in worse condition or unknown condition.

 

So anyway; no, not broke; my wife and I are lucky to have two good jobs. Just shifting priorities, and trying to keep my accountant (wife) happy.
Got a second baby on the way now so not nearly as much time to ride anyway.

Watch this space for a clean 2000 YELLOW VFR for sale soon!