Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

I've been searching the forum for info on the valve clearance service and couldn't find general info about what to expect to pay for this service.

I'm looking for a garage in the Cheshire area and have had a quote from my local Suzuki dealer who have serviced my bike in the past.

I was quoted £337.15 for the major service including valve clearance check (15k service).

I looked in the manual and it's a fairly comprehensive service including plug change (four on mine), filter, F.I. check etc.

Has anyone had this service done local to me and what sort of price did you pay...?

Also, does anyone know whether the quoted price would include actualy changing the shims if necessary?

The bike is a 650s K7 (twin plug head),

Thanks

Dave

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

FFS do it yourself

Checking the valve clearance is not difficult, and only mildly to change the shims if the check shows a change needed.

It sounds like the garage is charging you to change them, not check them.

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

I'm getting a BIG service done next week by Spannerman.

that's valve clearances, the whole lot etc.

And it's going to be about 6 hours labour i believe + parts, etc

So it costs a bit, but that's because there's a lot to do!

Way I see it is that I want my bike to last so don't want anything that's silly that could have easily been checked / fixed causing my engine to implode! :smt066

Play it safe! :safe:

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

It is if you arent mechanically minded. Its a bit like an IT expert telling me to fix my own IT system as he thinks its easy!. Ive seen too many messed up home services lately due to people being advised its easy!. Two snapped spark plugs, one cracked sump and 3 stripped sump threads since Feb!!

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

TBH I'm pretty mechanically compitent, that's not the issue for me - time is the issue as I have a busy job and young family so I can justify spending a bit of cash to save me spending all day in the garage.

Of course, with something like this the garage has done it many times before so has the right tools to hand and is prepared for anything that could go wrong.

I was just posting to see if anyone could recomend any other garages in my area...

I have spoke to the garage who quoted me after posting this and they said that any re-shimming is included in the cost.

D

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

I'm not a mechanical dunce, but I don't have a garage and can't spare the time, so I'd certainly drop the bike off & get a pro to do it!

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

If your bike is out of warranty Id do it myself.Checking the valves is easy and they dont often seem to need adjusting(which is rather more difficult and time consuming).
If you find them to be out then it might be worth getting an expert to do it.

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

i take it you earn whatever the garage charges an hour then?

Change the plugs and oil yourself at least. It's only a mornings work tops.

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

Five hours labour circa 35-60 p/h depending where you are plus approx 80-100 in bits. Inc balance throttle bodies, ads clear down, coolant, brake fluid check change etc. Poss mileage also if 2 years old fork oil should be changed. Trust me it's comes out like gravy at that mileage!

Re: Valve clearance service - pricing and where?
 

To just check the valve clearances should only take about an hour or two. The hardest part is probably removing the front plug and cover without taking the radiator off the bike. Changing shims is more involved...but by checking them yourself you could avoid the need to put it in a garage altogether if they're in spec.