VFR VTECH, worth it or not? ? ?

[mtrider16]

Having checked my '02 at 20k mi, I can assure you that there is a shim under the bucket/lifter. You don't need to replace the lifters, just the shims.

According to the manual, only half of the buckets have shims.

David

[Kraz]

Tried to sell it last year and no one would buy it because the valve adjustment needed to be done.

WTF? it is going to cost me 400 dollars plus shipping to do this, just for the new lifters. NOT COOL.

Now you know why nobody wanted to buy it.


Honestly, if you know for absolute 100% sure you can machine it, without sacrificing any hardening or other qualities, I'd do it, then not mention it (except on this site, obviously).  If asked, the valves were put back in spec, by you, at 45k.  I seriously doubt anyone will ask if you used new parts of machined down whatever was out of spec.  I don't have a problem working "outside the box;" factory isn't always better.

Ironically, most people who care to ask about maintenance want to see a receipt from a dealer (that may or may not have actually done the work), instead of hearing that you did the work yourself (perhaps for the reason of homemade valve spacing possibilities).

So, at the end of the day, you're going to get a certain amount for the bike w/o maintenance, a certain amount for the bike with you having done the maintenance (probably regardless of which way you go on getting the valves in spec), and another price for dealer maintenance with records.

[VisabilityIsEverything]

So how much is it going to cost you to do this "valve adjustment" after 45k miles?  $450?  $650?  $850?

If you skipped the valve inspection up until now, you shouldn't really complain that it is costing you so much!  I just priced a BMW 6k service for a new Boxer engine it costs around $250-$300 at the dealership.  When I had a 2001 VFR800 without the VTECH, it cost me a cool $580+ at the Honda dealer for the 15k mile Major Service interval, which included the valve inspection/adjustment, starter valve synchronization, new plugs, and new coolant, & oil/filter change.  Not long ago I asked around and found out it costs about $650 for the dealership to do the major service on my 2007 VFR800.  It would be less if the work was only for the valve inspection and throttle body sync.  

In the scheme of things, you are right on the ballpark for most modern motorcycles with complicated engines.  In all these cases you should be putting aside between $30-$50 per month for the major service IF you put 1k mile per year on your VFR.  Trying to save $$ by doing the work yourself is a good idea of you know what you are doing.  But trying to find shortcuts because you don't want to spend $400 for a major service that you put off for 45k miles, is false economy.  I just don't see the basis for your complaints because I think the cost is in line with many other makes.

[VisabilityIsEverything]

Hey Rogue,

Its not that I dont mind spending the 4-600 dollars on the parts for a major service, its just that the bike is not worth 2000 dollars as it sits, is it really worth it to spend that much on a bike just for parts.

Regards,

Mark

[Rogue]

The answer to your question depends on the owner.  I understand as it may not make economic sense.

If you plan to keep the bike, I personally think it's worth it.  If you plan to sell it, then it's not woth it but then you have to tell the next owner it needs that major service and offer to adjust the price.  Of course you can just trade it in and it becomes someone elses problem.

[VisabilityIsEverything]

Rogue,

I am selling the bike because we are starting "Project Moto Guzzi" my dad bought a 72 eldorado brand new and put over 80k miles on it before I was born, just dusted it off started restoring it. Just dont want to dip into savings and normal income to start the project. So I really just want to get rid of it, I was just bitching and looking for someone to bitch to about ridiculous parts prices and design.  Plus, wanted to know what people would think about machining the parts.

Thanks for your input on everything,

Mark