V7iii Stone Issues

[grame99]

Had some issues with my 8 month old V7iii 3600 mileage Stone others may experience - so took it to the dealer:

1. Sounded a bit ropey and felt more vibey
2. Yellow engine management warning light staying on
3. Paint on pipes coming away

The diagnostic check showed the warning was the engine temp sensor. This was replaced under warranty.

The valve clearances were out and so they were adjusted - this I was charged for.

The pipes had been previously repainted under warranty but were getting dirty and yet couldn't be cleaned so under warranty the paint was touched up. I may ask for a replacement set of pipes as they look a bit rough and don't seem cleanable.

Question: is it odd for the valves to need re-adjusting halfway between services?

Cheers

[malik]

I know they are different bikes, with different heads, so my experiences are not directly relevant, but they might be useful. The tappets V7C didn't seem to need  adjusting until 90,000km ( but then the first service & every second after that until the warranty expired a t 62,000 was done by the shop). After that they have only been sometimes a smidgins out, The V7 Special, on the other hand, is usual a little out each time - the inlet gap widens & the exhaust gap closes.  Different bikes, different behaviour. Of course, there are the times when I don't measure exactly enough and have to do them again. And if you do them yourself, you know they are done (either badly or well, but done).

[malik]

Oh, and I'm not a fan of painted exhaust systems - better to go with ceramic coating & be done with it. I've a set of black painted headers from Agostini for the Special I've been reluctant to install - one of the reasons is I've been nerving myself up for the cost of ceramic coating.  Even tho the stock chrome headers have deteriorated badly & look ugly - uneven black pitting & corrosion.  I've had ceramic coated exhaust systems before - they weather extremely well with only an ocassion also wash & wipe.

[Vagrant]

If they were set right at 900 mile first check up they were not out at 3600 on a III. possibly 1/2 a thousand but thats tne difference between two different finger feels.

[grame99]

If they were set right at 900 mile first check up they were not out at 3600 on a III. possibly 1/2 a thousand but thats tne difference between two different finger feels.

You think? They first-serviced it around 700 and then set the valve clearances again today - and he said it was noticeably out. It certainly feels and rides a lot better. But I hope it isn't symptomatic of some deeper malaise... I can't be paying for it to be done twice a year! I would have a go myself save for the fact I have no garage or tools.

[egschade]

<SNIP> I can't be paying for it to be done twice a year! I would have a go myself save for the fact I have no garage or tools.

Maybe $20 in tools to set valves. A couple allen wrenches, screwdriver, 10mm wrench, spark plug wrench and feeler gauges is about it.  Only takes about 10 min per side. Working in the sun is good for you and you can see better too.

Manual says to check every 10K Km or 6200 mi after the 900mi check. Service managers are noted for overstating repairs they make so you're valves being 'way out' may not have actually been that much.

[timonbik]

I would be surprised that the valves had even seated properly at 900 miles.  They probably weren't out that much with so few miles.  At 3600 they have likely finally seated properly thus requiring adjustment.   When I had my Ducati the owners manual called for initial valve adjustment at 1000km.  My dealer said that was absolute BS and 5000kn was more realistic to allow proper seating.

Cheers, Tim

[Siamese]

It's a shame not to be able to adjust the valves on a V7III.  One of the reasons I bought mine, is that it has the easiest valves adjustment of any current motorcycle.  And most past.  Correct me if I'm wrong. 

I was considering a new Honda 500 twin, but just getting to the valve cover is more than a two hour job of removing fairing pieces, rerouting hoses and wires, and carefully disconnecting finicky electrical connections.  Ugh.

The list of tools required for the V7III is short, and the time to do it is low.