I recently took my Max to the workshop for major service and valve clearance check, and I received some good and bad news.

Good news is, all the valve clearances are within spec after 50,770km.

Bad news is the mechanic broke the cylinder identification sensor that fits in the cam cover over the front camshaft.

Now I have to wait 10 days for one to come from Japan then be fitted (at their expense of course) before I can pick up the bike.

I am having withdrawal symptoms now from not having the bike, My shed seems very dismal each time I walk in there now, I saw a Honda XL250 for sale on the side of the road for $1500 yesterday and was very tempted to call in and buy it.

That Sux , But really glad to hear that your valve clearance was good i just turned over to 26 K riding up to Mums today
to see her and my Brother/ family , I have been thinking about that not so routine service , Maybe you should have asked for a loaner bike , How far did they go to get to the valves just dropping the front motor mounts and jacking it down or
did they go further ?

Yea, that really sucks! I plan to get mine done end of this year or first part of next. Should have 27-30,000 miles on her by then. Sure would like to find a competent mechanic/ shop within a days ride from West Michigan to do mine. Thinking about bringing it down to Ohio to somebody's place to do it. I know it will be WAY faster when he's done doing the valve adjustment!!

I have just about 50,000 Kms on my 2009 Vmax and was wondering what type of riding you do. Do you use lots of high RPM in town and how do you drive on the highway... I imagine this would make a difference of how the shims and cams wear?

pokeynose wrote:

Engine design has been well tested & has good oil flow. Their test mules racked up over 100,000 hard miles. All they did was check clearances at various intervals & record it, and they were all still running pretty much like they always did I believe we'll see these V4's go 70,000 or better before valves need to be adjusted..

capt bob wrote:
They only took the front mount and the air box off, then managed to get the cam covers off without lowering the motor, Not sure if this is why the Sensor broke (sliding it out without much room) or if it was hanging somewhere that it shouldn't have been when they rotated the crank to check the next valve.

The mechanic said it is a lot of work just to get to the cams.

No_Max wrote:
Thanks Bob, I would love to have known that 2 weeks ago.

Comtek wrote:

In town I usually stay in 2nd but do like to rev it out to near red by rolling it on mildly in first sometimes. And I usually blast off stops on the hightway mostly hitting red in at leat 3 to 4 gears then bring back down to about 100 kph in 5th and then just cruise. My engine still runs smooth so I guess I will wait as long as I can to have valves checked as it is a large expence.

Off topic but I had the oil pump recall done today and the machanic had only done one before so I made sure they knew what could and has happened to some on the forum. All went smooth and rode away after about 1.5 hours of them changing it. I just hate having any work done on my bike. :^(

As for tire wear... I am thinking of getting the traction control unit for the bike at $1000.00 CND as I figure it will pay for itself by making the rear tire last longer. The stock OEM tire is the one I like the best as the bike just seems to handle better for me in agressive cornering. I have tried different tires and now stick with them. The rear installed costs me just about $400.00 CND.

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I do a fair bit of "spirited" riding thru the mountain roads here in Tazzie near home, Been on a few track days at Symmons plains raceway at full revs in all gears, and have generally fed the motor what it loves Lots of Fuel. I do amble along on the highway in 5th where I know the Jolly Wallopers sit with their radars, and thru towns I try to stick to the speed limit in 2nd or 3rd. (even though it can do 110kph (68mi) in first)

I should also add that the Bridgestone Batlax averages around 5000km with fairly even wear with the riding I do, On the 11th rear tire now. Once they are worn down to near illegal for road use, Check avatar pic.[/quote]

Hey Scott (Comtek)
You really need to drop by so you can try the carbon max out - it now dives into the corners with the BST rims.
All mods are complete btw.

Best Regards, Jack