Valve clearance specialist

[Madmax16]

Hello there

I am looking for someone that can assist me with checking valve clearance please .  I normally service my own bike but never done valve clearance check and at 29k miles my vstrom 650 of 2015 might need to be adjusted.  If someone locL to me would be prepared to assist me in doing this task I would be
Most grateful.  I will of course cover costs of travel amd time .  Many thanks folks

[Froglodyte]

Have a look at this
https://www.circlenz.co.nz/Library/Suzuki-v-strom-DL650-valve-check-and-adjustment
It's not a difficult job to check the clearances. When I did mine they were within limits.

[kwackboy]

Here is a calculation you can use to determine the new shim size if your valve clearances need adjustment.
Its what I use when adjusting shims , I keep it safe because I sometimes forget .. 

[vstroman]

What mileage did you do the check at? I've been advised that if the bike is running well then it's a waste of time and money to have them checked. I suspect the mechanic telling me this just doesn't want the hassle of doing it.
I'm a bit of a doubting Thomas anyway, I'd rather see it being done or do the work myself with help from someone who knows what they are doing.

[UK_Vstrom650]

I had some slightly out of spec when I checked them at 53,000 miles. They were still in spec at around 30,000 when the dealer checked them although the rear exhaust ones were at the lower end.
It's relatively easy to do, but very time consuming, and as I read on Stromtrooper recently, also easy to mess up (someone removed the cams and rotated the engine)

[Froglodyte]

I checked mine at 17,000 mls. I didn't fancy doing shim change but it is easy to check clearances.  Longest job is getting all the plastics and radiator off but not difficult.  Was very happy to find the clearances in spec. I did mine at the start of lockdown 1 so did coolant change, plugs, oil & filter, brake fluid etc. Almost a full service. My local dealer wanted around £400 to do what I did plus extra if the valves needed adjustment

[Graham62]

I need to check mine, I've been quoted £380 by a local garage they said it's a four hour job.

[mr_diver]

and Ideally they need it over night to cool down-
You don't want the valves adjusted when the engine is remotely warm! = clearances all over the place!

we used to take them in occasionally first thing (8.30am) and the start work around 1pm. but if shimms need replacing it's going to run into the next day.

best to take them in the day before, they cool over night, then the techs have all day to get it correct.

But after 60k they were all still in spec on my K6 - never adjusted.

[Graham62]

I think my k6 has about 25k on it.