Spring service done..valves missed an issue???

[Farky]

Got my spring service done over the last 2 days, fairings removed and cleaned inside out, engine cleaned, chain cleaned, excess Scotoil removed from neEly everywhere.
Whilst I had the bits off I decided to do a service myself, I was gonna book it in for a 24k. Only done oil, filter, air filter and the usual checks.

So, big questions is, do I need to do the following?
Valve clearance checks.
Coolant replace.
Brake fluid replace.

I keep on hearing how people faf about checking the valves only to not really have to adjust them.
Coolant I might do as it does run hot in the summer.
Brake fluid I find a pain, is it not best done when replacing front pads rather than at a service point?

Satisfying having it all done though my backs knackered.

Rest tonite and Ikea tomorrow....bloody holidays!

[tramp]

well done , think of the money saved for her indoors to spend at Ikea, mines done 28k on a 04 650Alp and never done valves and does 55-59mpg so nowt wrong there. sure Austins done 60k with no probs.

Brake fluid is so easy 30mins job all round ge ta Motax little bleeder off ebay, just push on bleed nipple , remove lid on reservoir and place in in old empty coffee jar.

Then open said nipple a little bit and pump away topping up reservoir, 500ml should do both frnt and back.

Spray nipples with Wd40 night before incase corroded. as for coolant personal thing BUt t dont just cool the engine it has corrosion inhibitors inside too so worth doing, just get a hose and funnel to top up as its a pain.

[StumpyFingers]

I had a loose valve on mine which is why I did mine but if it does not sound rattly then don't bother.
Change the coolant to be safe but I find the Brake fluid gets changed when I bleed the brakes on pad change, that way I only use the minimum amount of fluid and have less waste to dispose of.

[jasonbc]

Got my spring service done over the last 2 days, fairings removed and cleaned inside out, engine cleaned, chain cleaned, excess Scotoil removed from neEly everywhere.
Whilst I had the bits off I decided to do a service myself, I was gonna book it in for a 24k. Only done oil, filter, air filter and the usual checks.

So, big questions is, do I need to do the following?
Valve clearance checks.
Coolant replace.
Brake fluid replace.

I keep on hearing how people faf about checking the valves only to not really have to adjust them.
Coolant I might do as it does run hot in the summer.
Brake fluid I find a pain, is it not best done when replacing front pads rather than at a service point?

Satisfying having it all done though my backs knackered.

Rest tonite and Ikea tomorrow....bloody holidays!

Don't know which bike your doing this service on but for the Varadero all three things listed are part of the 16k service. My Varadero didn't need them to be adjusted at the 16k serice and it went in a few weeks back for the 32k service and they didn't need adjusting then either they were still within tolerance

[Austin]

did my TA's valves yesterday - 76K on the clock and first time they have been properly checked. 1 loose(ish), a couple tight(ish) but TBH I could left them unadjusted, mind the bike was ticking over like a dream at 800rpm after I had done them (I had been fiddling with the tickover while warming it for another job). Back to 1200rpm now. Still sounds like I have a loose tappet though so I either need to check again (not!!) or something else may be getting worn -cam chain??? Clutch??? or could just be a leaky exhaust - link pipe is a crap fit on the stub. Hey ho it just keeps going and going.

[Farky]

Will probably add brake and coolant fluid changes in then.

When u bleed the brakes on a TA700, do you open just the one bleed valve or one on each brake cylinder?

Anyone know how to empty the coolant? Is there a drain plug somewhere?

Valves can wait til another time. Asked about dealer price for this only....laughible £220!!!

[StumpyFingers]

Will probably add brake and coolant fluid changes in then.

When u bleed the brakes on a TA700, do you open just the one bleed valve or one on each brake cylinder?

Anyone know how to empty the coolant? Is there a drain plug somewhere?

Valves can wait til another time. Asked about dealer price for this only....laughible £220!!!

On the lefthand side of the engine is the pump housing, It drains from the bottom of this.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

I believe valve clearances should be checked every 8000 miles. I disagree about leaving the job undone if the valves aren't noisy, sorry. If the valve clearances have closed up there would be no tapping before-hand and you could burn out the valves. The main danger is not from loose clearances but tight ones.

Like many "inspection" tasks you may well find there's no need to make any adjustments, but if you don't check you run the risk of major, expensive damage.

[StumpyFingers]

Really poor I know but I have just done 8000 miles on my bike since I have had it.
In that time I have checked the valve adjustments twice, once when doing the 24000 mile service and again when I had a electrical fault and need to trace the wiring, as bike was stripped I recheck the clearances.

[Farky]

Gettin a little bleeder tomorrow to do the brakes F&R - like the idea of this -tkx for the tip 'tramp'.

Finished the coolant - sort of...

According to Mr Honda and the official maintenance book - I have to remove the reserve coolant tank to empty it - which means ........

removing the rear shock!!!!

Catch a bloody grip Mr H - remove the rear shock to empty and clean a simple coolant resevoir... no wonder the dealers are chargin a fortune to complete simple services with crap design like this!

I didnt do anything with the reserve resevoir in this case but emptied the main rads via the pump plug and afterwards thought I could justve ticked the bike over so the pump drew all the contents out of the reserve and emptied it out in the same way - shouldnt do any damage as its not that dissimilar to how you draw airpockets out.

Still undecided about the clearances as yet - I wont get down time until mid-june as ive got so many cycle races at weekends and a holiday to Sth France in between. May consider using the dealer in May if I can afford £180 for piece of mind.