Shift Cam DIY valve servicing

It was a while ago (2007), so can't be sure, but from memory, there was no reason to remove the chain guides.

I had mainly built gear driven engines before (air cooled VW's!) needing to change the failed Honda tensioner.

My 1250 won't be going back to the dealer anytime soon.

Oil/filters/pads/I can change/check. Valve clearances should be fine to check, but not looked into what's needed to change the shims.
 
I've checked over 1000 LC bike's shims at 12,000. I'd say less than 10 have needed a shim job. Although there was a run where the poor DLC on the cams was wearing down quickly.

I've probably checked a few hundred 1250s at 12,000 miles and over 100 bikes at 24,000 and I honestly have not needed to change one yet.

If you're getting rattle in an LC it's far more likely to be lash in the cam gears. There are a range of cam gears you can buy to get the lash back into spec. You do need some decent kit to measure that though although you can feel freeplay by hand.


If your valves are in spec you leave them alone. You don't start pulling apart your head to get them 'closer'. Once the motor is broken in and settled in, you don't fettle unless you need to. And there's a good chance they won't need doing for the lifetime of the bike. Although they should always be checked.

Rule 1 of engineering.

It it ain't broken, don't fix it until it is.
 
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