2002 VFR 6th Gen - 16k Service - Valve Adjustment or Not?

Hello fellow riders! I have the 16k service coming up and am considering doing the service myself. The local shop is quoting $750 in labor alone. (seems high). I have already done the oil change and am planning on flushing the coolant over the weekend. (I know a tad early) Any way, my biggest issue is whether or not I should have them check the valves. The shop says I have to, of course they would. I have been reading several posts both here and in other areas that say it's not necessary. My bike is super clean and has never been on a track, yet... Anyone have any insight on whether or not I should have it done?

I should mention that I plan on changing out the chain and both sprockets along with a fresh set of tires. I figured if I take it in I may as well have them do a few things that I can't. Thanks in advance!

 

You get the wild card answer today.

One vote for doing the valves. But only the rear bank. And only the VTEC valves.

:witless:

 

Hi Frisco, great name!

Yes, this is a religious question, unfortunately.

I have read every thread on the Internet that I could find. People go opposite ways on this. I have seen several lifelong Honda technicians quoted as saying they've never seen a Honda valvetrain fail, thus question checking the valves at all. At the opposite end of the spectrum are people who check the valves right on schedule every single time and find one or more that are out of tolerance.

My fifth gen has about 18,000 miles, and the first owner did zero maintenance. I am having the valves checked because I need to know. I consider that the break-in is probably going to generate the most wear, so I will not worry about the valves for a long time after this. I also ride it like I stole it every time I get on it. I figure I can do that, but I need to be aware of the biggest risks and the wear on the components, and take the appropriate measures.

 

Only bike that ever needed valves done that I've owned (of 16 bikes) was my Kawasaki 600's. For some reason the intake valves on 1 and 4 always got tighter than the rest, one point I dropped a valve after breaking a retainer with valves out of spec at 17k.

On the other hand, my 05 R6 with 70k miles on it were all in spec when I checked them last week.

My 07 VFR.. if it makes noise or has a hard start issue at some point, I'll do the valves.. or in the winter if I'm not riding. If you can afford it as well as the downtime, go ahead and get them checked. If you're riding it normally and not racing the bike, chances are you're just fine. Theoretically, the vtec valves might see less wear than the non-vtec valves. If the non-vtec valves are ok (and can be checked without removing cams), then you can save yourself even more time and just button it back up and go (if you check them).

 

Unless you hear something off in the valvetrain, just ride it to 32k and revisit the question.

 

That's what I'm planning to do on mine. What do they sound like when they have to be done?

 

My opinion is NO. I'm running the heck out of my third VFR and have never had valves checked. One of my riding partners has an '02 with well over 100,000 miles on it, it will run with mine and the valves have never been checked. Also, you didn't really get good chain life at 16K. They will last much longer with good care. Run them on the loose side. Everybody has an opinion and mine is free.

 

See if you can find a Yamaha with one of the 500cc thumper engines. With a couple of long feeler gauges the valve adjustment takes all of aboot five minutes...