Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Local shop quote for valve adjustment

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Local shop quote for valve adjustment

    I wanted to put into perspective the value of this site and the information so generously shared by all who do. Earlier today I took my 83 GS 850G to a well known local shop to get a quote on inspecting and adjusting the valve clearances. They cringed when I told them the year of the bike and said it was up to their tech as to whether or not they would even touch it. After walking outside with the sales guy and the tech, they said ok, they would do it. I didn't anticipate a problem since it's so clean, but they had to see it.

    Anyway just to check the valve clearance is $356, to adjust the shims another $89 possible total $450 plus tax!

    New NOS gasket should be here this week from an ebay seller $30
    Shims that I have collected hopefully will be the right size if needed, if not, shim club here I come! Those shims locally are $16 each.

    Oh yeah, forgot the zip tie add another $.05

    Ok I figure I'm saving about $340, and getting to know my bike better. Win win scenario!

    Thank you all for sharing and I'll contribute when I can as well!

    Roger
    Last edited by Burque73; 07-18-2016, 02:36 PM. Reason: incomplete
    Roger

    Us states ridden (2024_10_06 18_48_44 UTC).png


    #2
    Definitely worth doing it yourself!
    "Thought he, it is a wicked world in all meridians; I'll die a pagan."
    ~Herman Melville

    2016 1200 Superlow
    1982 CB900f

    Comment


      #3
      I wouldn't let a shop near mine. Valve check and shim adjustments are a two-hour job your first time around and it's all pretty basic mechanics.

      Good choice to do it yourself. That is a lot of Benjamins that can be used somewhere else.
      '83 GS650G
      '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

      Comment


        #4
        I did my own valve adjustment and gasket replacement with the help of a friend who has a 16V Suzi. Wasn't too difficult but tedious with the gap checks. Definitely better doing it yourself.


        Ed
        GS750TZ V&H/4-1, Progressive Shocks, Rebuilt MC/braided line, Tarozzi Stabilizer[Seq#2312]
        GS750TZ Parts Bike [Seq#6036]
        GSX-R750Y (Sold)

        my opinion shouldn't be taken as gospel or in any way that would lead you to believe otherwise (30Sep2021)

        Comment


          #5
          If all goes well it's an easy enough job and a couple of hours or so, depending on how the shims shuffle around. However, knackered threads and welded on old gaskets can make the job take a lot longer.
          79 GS1000S
          79 GS1000S (another one)
          80 GSX750
          80 GS550
          80 CB650 cafe racer
          75 PC50 - the one with OHV and pedals...
          75 TS100 - being ridden (suicidally) by my father

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Burque73 View Post
            I wanted to put into perspective the value of this site and the information so generously shared by all who do. Earlier today I took my 83 GS 850G to a well known local shop to get a quote on inspecting and adjusting the valve clearances. They cringed when I told them the year of the bike and said it was up to their tech as to whether or not they would even touch it. After walking outside with the sales guy and the tech, they said ok, they would do it. I didn't anticipate a problem since it's so clean, but they had to see it.

            Anyway just to check the valve clearance is $356, to adjust the shims another $89 possible total $450 plus tax!

            New NOS gasket should be here this week from an ebay seller $30
            Shims that I have collected hopefully will be the right size if needed, if not, shim club here I come! Those shims locally are $16 each.

            Oh yeah, forgot the zip tie add another $.05

            Ok I figure I'm saving about $340, and getting to know my bike better. Win win scenario!

            Thank you all for sharing and I'll contribute when I can as well!

            Roger
            Would love to know what they based the $356 on.... how many freaking hours of labor?

            Any shop that would have to think about it I'd do a pass on not matter what the job is

            Comment


              #7
              Their quote was four hours at $89/hr.
              I'm not worried about doing the work, just wanted to shop around on the price. Earlier in the spring I did the valve adjustment on the 82 GS1100 L that I sold. It went fine. The zip tie method worked like a charm. After tearing into another bike I noticed what one member said about the carbon build up possibly being dislodged under a valve and giving an inaccurate reading though. I know the tool is less than 20 bucks on ebay, maybe I'll spring for one.

              Any thoughts on weather or not the valve will eventually displace the carbon?

              Roger
              Roger

              Us states ridden (2024_10_06 18_48_44 UTC).png

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by nejeff View Post
                Would love to know what they based the $356 on.... how many freaking hours of labor?
                Originally posted by nejeff View Post

                Any shop that would have to think about it I'd do a pass on not matter what the job is
                Based on $78 an hour, they figured 4.5 hours to r/r the fairing and then get to the rest of it. That sounds like an incompetent shop. Just my opinion.
                Larry

                '79 GS 1000E
                '93 Honda ST 1100 SOLD-- now residing in Arizona.
                '18 Triumph Tiger 800 (gone too soon)
                '19 Triumph Tiger 800 Christmas 2018 to me from me.
                '01 BMW R1100RL project purchased from a friend, now for sale.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by alke46 View Post
                  [I][B]

                  Based on $78 an hour, they figured 4.5 hours to r/r the fairing and then get to the rest of it. That sounds like an incompetent shop. Just my opinion.
                  Incompetent is a very polite way of putting it...
                  '83 GS650G
                  '83 GS550es (didn't like the colours in the 80's, but they've grown on me)

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Incompetent, or intentionally priced themselves out of the job.
                    sigpic
                    When consulting the magic 8 ball for advice, one must first ask it "will your answers be accurate?"

                    Glen
                    -85 1150 es - Plus size supermodel.
                    -Rusty old scooter.
                    Other things I like to photograph.....instagram.com/gs_junkie
                    https://www.instagram.com/glen_brenner/
                    https://www.flickr.com/photos/152267...7713345317771/

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Well, count on at least one frustrating hour getting that old gasket off, if it's been a couple of years since it was installed. Add a full can of gasket dissolving spray. I think they're hedging their estimate based in part on the possibility of a damaged / impossible fastener, too, a very real possibility.

                      Actually, there's only one way I'd work on a bike that old -- if I owned it. I'd be the only PO'ed owner I had to deal with if something goes really wrong.

                      When my '79 GS850 was a baby, I paid $30 OTD for valve check / shimming. We won't see that again any time soon.
                      and God said, "Let there be air compressors!"
                      __________________________________________________ ______________________
                      2009 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom, 2004 HondaPotamus sigpic Git'cha O-ring Kits Here!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        I paid 150 OTD for my first valve adjust. And with the advice of this site I did my second bike myself. I'd do it for 150 anytime.
                        Alan

                        sigpic
                        Weaned on a '74 450 Honda
                        Graduated to an '82 GS850GL
                        Now riding an '83 GS1100GL
                        Added an '82 GS1100GL

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by BigD_83 View Post
                          Valve check and shim adjustments are a two-hour job your first time around and it's all pretty basic mechanics.
                          Yep, the first time through, you will be reading and re-reading directions, then removing every shim ONE AT A TIME, PLEASE to see what size it is. After your third or fourth time, you won't have to be doing any inventory and the process will be familiar, you will have it down to about 45 minutes.

                          AND, ... while you are doing this, it is SO much easier if you have a convenient way to record your clearances and shim sizes.
                          This is when you need to take advantage of the offer in my sig.

                          .
                          sigpic
                          mine: 2000 Honda GoldWing GL1500SE and 1980 GS850G'K' "Junior"
                          hers: 1982 GS850GL - "Angel" and 1969 Suzuki T250 Scrambler
                          #1 son: 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 and 1982 GS650GL "Rat Bagger"
                          #2 son: 1980 GS1000G
                          Family Portrait
                          Siblings and Spouses
                          Mom's first ride
                          Want a copy of my valve adjust spreadsheet for your 2-valve per cylinder engine? Send me an e-mail request (not a PM)
                          (Click on my username in the upper-left corner for e-mail info.)

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by nejeff View Post
                            Would love to know what they based the $356 on.... how many freaking hours of labor?

                            Any shop that would have to think about it I'd do a pass on not matter what the job is
                            4 hrs at $89 = $356
                            :cool:GSRick
                            No God, no peace. Know God, know peace.

                            Eric Bang RIP 9/5/2018
                            Have some bikes ready for us when we meet up.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Burque73 View Post
                              Their quote was four hours at $89/hr.
                              I'm not worried about doing the work, just wanted to shop around on the price. Earlier in the spring I did the valve adjustment on the 82 GS1100 L that I sold. It went fine. The zip tie method worked like a charm. After tearing into another bike I noticed what one member said about the carbon build up possibly being dislodged under a valve and giving an inaccurate reading though. I know the tool is less than 20 bucks on ebay, maybe I'll spring for one.

                              Any thoughts on weather or not the valve will eventually displace the carbon?

                              Roger
                              Buy the tool, much easier than the zip tie. I know people have issues with the tool but always worked fine for me

                              You must have full fairing on your bike and all that jazz or what?

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X