1st valve adjustment

[silverbullet07]

I'm up to 30k and it's time for my first valve adjustment. Looking at the manual it doesn't look all that difficult. Can I get any pointers before I start ? 2007 GL 1800

[MikeB]

Make sure you have some shims on hand before you start the process.
The Hot Cams Valve Shim Kit - 7.48mm OD HCSHIM01 is what I used.
They are available on Amazon for about $60.

I also bought these two tools through Partzilla.

Tensioner holder A, 07ZMG-MCAA300 with rod and cord

Tensioner holder B, 07ZMG-MCAA400 without rod and cord.

They are needed to loosen the cam chain tension. In the service manual it says:
Failure to loosen the cam chain tensioners will result in inaccurate valve clearance measurement, due to the force of the cam chain on the camshaft

[Darksider 562]

At 30k, I'd be verrrrrrry surprised if any adjustment is required. My 07 has 250,000 km and no adjustment has been necessary yet. They have been checked and have come in on specs. Good luck with it.

[golden highway]

I would check them before buying a shim kit. I have seen these with some high miles on them and still be in spec.

[MikeB]

I would check them before buying a shim kit. I have seen these with some high miles on them and still be in spec.

If you already have it apart and find that shims are needed, would you really want to reassemble everything and then order shims and wait for them to arrive?

[Red Ron]

A Honda tech told me one time that if you don't hear any valve noise don't worry about it. But, these valves get quiet as they get tight. A noisy valve is a happy valve.

[silverbullet07]

Thanks Everybody, I really want my bike to last 155,000 miles too, so I'm doing my best to keep up on the maintenance. All I have to go on is the schedule in the manual which says to adjust at 32k. I still have it all together and runs great with no noise that I can detect. I think I will just collect all the necessary parts and tools you all have suggested and relax for another 5-10k before I check them. Thanks for saving me some time.

[MikeB]

I didn't do my 2003 until it was at 58,000 miles and it needed no changes. Another 2003 I did was at 67,000 miles and I had to replace 6 intake shims and 2 exhaust shims.

[Red Ron]

A lot of riders claim that the only way they are out of adjustment is if they leave the factory that way. But, I think I have read of riders who check the first time with no adjustment needed but adjustment is needed on the 2nd check.

[Wingsconsin]

I had mine done at 37,000 miles about 2 weeks ago.
I had (2) valves that need adjustment as they were both tight.
DO it and KNOW they are correct is my advice..I also read the MANY stories of those who never needed adjustment and considered not doing it either ..but I am glad I did. I want this bike to last me another 10 years ...
I had the dealer do it for me as I got lazy and it was in for the brake recall anyway.
Now I am set for the next 32,000 miles -- a few years anyway

[golden highway]

I would definitely check them but if it were me I wouldn't order shims until I found I needed them. You might need them right now or might never need them.