V Twin Valve settings

[pegasus1300]

So in looking back thru some old posts on the V Twin service it seems like Can Am calls for fairly frequent valve check/adj interval. It also seems like there are a number of you who are disregarding this. I am coming from a Yamaha V4 with a similar type valve train and originally frequent adj intervals. Owner experience revealed that thousands of miles could go by without the clearances changing enough to worry about. Are we seeing the same thing on the V Twin? What is your long term experience on maintenance issues for those of you who are getting into the 30,40 50,000 mile range or higher.

 

[ARtraveler]

So in looking back thru some old posts on the V Twin service it seems like Can Am calls for fairly frequent valve check/adj interval. It also seems like there are a number of you who are disregarding this. I am coming from a Yamaha V4 with a similar type valve train and originally frequent adj intervals. Owner experience revealed that thousands of miles could go by without the clearances changing enough to worry about. Are we seeing the same thing on the V Twin? What is your long term experience on maintenance issues for those of you who are getting into the 30,40 50,000 mile range or higher.

I actually did valve checks on my 2010 RTS. At 14,000 and 28,000. Both services confirmed that no adjustments were needed. I traded off on the 2014 RT-S which no longer requires valve check service. We are coming up on 18K with our 2011 and I am not planning on interim valve check service until at least 50K miles.

 

[jtoro1]

So in looking back thru some old posts on the V Twin service it seems like Can Am calls for fairly frequent valve check/adj interval. It also seems like there are a number of you who are disregarding this. I am coming from a Yamaha V4 with a similar type valve train and originally frequent adj intervals. Owner experience revealed that thousands of miles could go by without the clearances changing enough to worry about. Are we seeing the same thing on the V Twin? What is your long term experience on maintenance issues for those of you who are getting into the 30,40 50,000 mile range or higher.

I checked mine at 43000 miles no adjustment needed I would recommend leave it alone it was a nightmare, I will have to go back in to replace the valve cover gaskets. I think if it is not broke leave it alone.

 

[Chupaca]

Here's the thing..!!

even brp upped the valve adjustment intervals. It is a choice and you will find checks have been made at a variety of mileages. I have 25,000 miles and ryde agressively but the valves are sounding fine. Shims under buckets are hard to adjust and expensive if done at a shop. Good thing is they work bette. :thumbup:

 

[DrewNJ]

http://www.apriliafutura.co.uk/workshop/servicing/valve-clearances/

This is a fantastic source of info for the same motor from a slightly different perspective. Check out the link to Ken's writup.
I helped a friend check theirs and it's really not that difficult a job.

 

[memphisdan]

I have had mine chcked last at 48,000 miles no adjustment needed thus far. I now have 67,000 and may have them checked this summer. For all I have spent on checking a valve job may have been cheaper.

 

[Freddy]

Here's what/how I did recently.

http://www.spyderryders.net.au/forum/index.php?topic=186.0

 

[pegasus1300]

I just read your writeup on valve clearence checking adjusting on a VTwin. Your patience amazes me. Once upon a time I would have that much patience but no longer.

 

[Freddy]

 

[007james]

Patience of Geezers

My 2012 V-Twin Spyder just clocked 28,000 miles, and the valve clearances have never been checked nor spark plugs changed. I plan to have them done at the same time, ......( if I EVER have them done before trading for a new one) . My Spyder is running great, and the engine sounds the same to me as when it was new. I lost most of the patience of wrenching I had long ago. In my early 60s, changing my own oil and filter on my Vulcan Classic 1500 was about all I could handle, but I will be turning 74 in a month, ......and now, I never try to fix any thing that ain't broke, as many say. I am encouraged by these mileage numbers reported by members who shared here, regarding valve checks. I agree that paying $800 a pop to check valves every 14,000 miles, and most not needing adjustment even after 50,000 miles, doing a valve job rather than checking every 14,000 miles would be more cost effective. I once owned a 73 Harley XLCH 1000 CC Sportster with solid Lifters that needed valve adjustments about every 3000 miles. What a nightmare! That engine vibrated so much, that it would bring any Gal to Ecstasy sitting on the seat during a short ride around the block! ( I was too dense to figure out why so many young Gals begged me to take them for quick spins around the block on my vibrating Harley! ) My Sister finally clued me in after she hopped on the back and remarked,..."ohhhh God,......I wish my husband would buy a Harley like this one." Haha. But you could hear the valve train rattling on the Harley as soon as the valves started getting out of adjustment, plus, it starting missing and hesitating, unlike my Spyder,....so far at least. At 74, I am hoping the valves might get out of adjustment just enough for Gals to again start begging me to ride on the back. Haha. ( Wishful thinking.)

I just read your writeup on valve clearence checking adjusting on a VTwin. Your patience amazes me. Once upon a time I would have that much patience but no longer.

 

[finless]

Not hard to check but harder to re-shim if needed.

Bob

 

[pegasus1300]

Yes I understand the frequent valve check thing. I bought a new Norton in 1970 and adjusted the valves every Saturday morning before the days ride. 20 min job, no big thing,just something you did back in the day.

 

[DrewNJ]

My 2012 V-Twin Spyder just clocked 28,000 miles, and the valve clearances have never been checked nor spark plugs changed. I plan to have them done at the same time, ......( if I EVER have them done before trading for a new one) . My Spyder is running great, and the engine sounds the same to me as when it was new. I lost most of the patience of wrenching I had long ago. In my early 60s, changing my own oil and filter on my Vulcan Classic 1500 was about all I could handle, but I will be turning 74 in a month, ......and now, I never try to fix any thing that ain't broke, as many say. I am encouraged by these mileage numbers reported by members who shared here, regarding valve checks. I agree that paying $800 a pop to check valves every 14,000 miles, and most not needing adjustment even after 50,000 miles, doing a valve job rather than checking every 14,000 miles would be more cost effective. I once owned a 73 Harley XLCH 1000 CC Sportster with solid Lifters that needed valve adjustments about every 3000 miles. What a nightmare! That engine vibrated so much, that it would bring any Gal to Ecstasy sitting on the seat during a short ride around the block! ( I was too dense to figure out why so many young Gals begged me to take them for quick spins around the block on my vibrating Harley! ) My Sister finally clued me in after she hopped on the back and remarked,..."ohhhh God,......I wish my husband would buy a Harley like this one." Haha. But you could hear the valve train rattling on the Harley as soon as the valves started getting out of adjustment, plus, it starting missing and hesitating, unlike my Spyder,....so far at least. At 74, I am hoping the valves might get out of adjustment just enough for Gals to again start begging me to ride on the back. Haha. ( Wishful thinking.)

Personally, I'd skip the valve check but I WOULD replace the plugs. These motors are kinda hard on plugs. I wouldn't do more than 30k on plugs. I do every 10k[emoji6]

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[finless]

Plugs at 14K service.

Not too bad but as Drew said, I would not go to the next 14K (28K miles) on them.