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  • #1

    Intro ...

    Just want to say Hi to everyone.
    I am from Bay Area, CA. Own a used 2001 Kat 750 as a commuter. The motorcycle currently has 41k miles and it has been running great.
    I learned a lot of this forum on maintenance and minor repair works and hope to get more input and advice from members here.

    My first question would be how often does the bike need valve adjustment?
    Last edited by drcookie; 06-07-2014, 11:44 AM.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Every 7500 miles as per the manual.
    Welcome to KR.

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    • #3
      Welcome aboard

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      • #4
        I'm in San Jose, what city you in? The manual says 7.5k miles, I do it every 9 instead (change oil every 3k. Doing the valves at 9k makes maintenance days line up nicely). If you don't know when it was last done, I'd recommend giving it a go.

        There's a service manual available for download in the wiki, it has a table with all service intervals in it.

        Welcome to KR!
        1998 Katana 750
        1992 Katana 1100
        2006 Ninja 250

        2006 Katana 600 RIP - 130k miles

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        • #5
          Thanks all and the warm welcome.

          shpielers, I am from Morgan Hill. I guess mine is way overdue for the valve check. I change the oil every 3k miles with Mobile 1 10-40 & K&N filter. I checked with a mechanic and he wanted $400-500 for the job which I believe it was way too much.

          I saw a DYI on the valve adjustment on this forum. Was it relative straight forward and easy to do? I removed the gas tank once to replace the spark plugs and there were lots of parts to take off and put back.

          Anyway, will check out the wiki page for more info.

          Thanks.

          Originally posted by shpielers View Post
          I'm in San Jose, what city you in? The manual says 7.5k miles, I do it every 9 instead (change oil every 3k. Doing the valves at 9k makes maintenance days line up nicely). If you don't know when it was last done, I'd recommend giving it a go.

          There's a service manual available for download in the wiki, it has a table with all service intervals in it.

          Welcome to KR!
          Last edited by drcookie; 06-07-2014, 04:46 PM.

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          • #6
            I did mine a few months ago. I had never done it before and it was not bad. Take your time and and just take it step by step. You can't get a torque wrench on all the bolts so use best judgment. Take pics of cable routing and anything you think you may want to refer to. Make sure to double or even triple check the lock nuts so it doesn't drive you crazy wondering if you tightened everything.

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            • #7
              $4-500 is a lot. Probably about normal for a mechanic, but for a job that's not hard to do...jeez.
              1st time is always the hardest since you're unfamiliar with what you're doing. Just figuring what all to take off and how. Once you can actually get the valve cover off, checking and adjusting usually takes me ~30 minutes.

              I work in Hollister so I'm riding by you 5 days a week. If you see a black post Kat, it's likely me.

              When you get to the valves, if you need help with something, let me know. Be happy to swing by and lend a hand.
              1998 Katana 750
              1992 Katana 1100
              2006 Ninja 250

              2006 Katana 600 RIP - 130k miles

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              • #8
                Mechanic labor rates can be up to $90 an hour. Dealerships have time frames given by the manufacturer to charge even though some mechanics do the job much faster. I think $400 to $500 is crazy but not out of line. They also charge more on bikes with plastics to be removed. It takes more time and they risk damaging the plastics. The problem I have with them is that a lot if not most of them want to get done more quickly because they are paid by the time the manufacturer says, not how long it takes them. This means shortcuts. It also means that in tolerance is in tolerance. If all your clearances are near a limit but not out, no adjustment will be made. At least you can make fine adjustments if you do it yourself. You also gain confidence to start doing more.

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                • #9
                  Welcome to KR.
                  2014 Ducati Monster 1200
                  http://www.flickr.com/photos/austin-stevens/



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                  • #10
                    Welcome to kr and post pictures if ya give it a go

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