Is it Necessary

[Master400ex]

I had my 400ex for about 3 weeks now and It is due for its first service. Is it really necessary to adjust the values??!!! I know I have to change the oil filter and oil but what about teh valves. Oh and does honda make special oil for their quads that can be run on a stock bike?? If so what is it??? Thanks Master400ex:confused:

[Pappy]

i think it is very important if you value your engine. i went to honda and bought their valve adjusting gauge($4.00) and in less than an hour i was done. nothin too it!

[JustRace]

Just look in the "EX Tech" on this site and it tell you how to do everything.

[Kadafiy]

400ex127, what's the valve adjusting gauge? Is it just feeler gauges?

[Pappy]

YES, its got the proper size for the valves ...one on each end. i didnt save the package or part # but if ya cant find one i will send u one. like i said its only about 4 or 5 bucks.

[nakomis0]

Its ok to wait a few months before adjusting your valves. Depending on how much you ride. After you adjust them once you probably won't have to do it for another year or so.

Valve adjustment is important, but your niot going to lose any significant Hp if they are a lil off. If you hear some louder than normal valve ticking thats a different story.

[Kadafiy]

Thanks but I already have feeler gauges, I was just wondering what it was.

[yamaha1470]

if you hear a ticking then u should get them adjusted. if it makes no noise let it be. dont try to fix something thats not broke

[R-Crazy]

i have had my quad for a year and didnt adjust them at all. after reading all these posts here, i decided it was time, only to figure out they were only .001 inches off:blah dont worry about it for a while. wait at least 6 months or more.

dave

i got my vavles ajusted, and i could tell a differnce.

[Nausty]

yeah so could I it was pretty noticible when I got mine done.

[barbwire44]

I wouldn't agree with it being alright to let it go for a while. If you wait until you hear excessive ticking noises you have already done damage. At the local bike shop the mechanic was talking about lot of the 99 ex's coming in with rocker arms and valves that were toasted. I would adjust them every 30 hours just to be safe.

[4punksdad]

do NOT use synthetic oil until your engine is totally broken in. even then be careful for clutch slipping additives. hond GN-4 oil should work fine in your EX, but stay away from the honda HP-4 with moly.

[brian400ex]

now you can get it without moly.

[timewass]

I followed THIS (http://www.exriders.com/tech/valves.shtml) guide and it is very easy to do.

[TheX1992]

look at them often. make sure your nut dont back off like it did on mine so you dont drop valve.what happened to me was it backed off then rocker arm hit it down into cylinder and piston hit it back up and it jammed. nice almost 45º angle on that sucker. got it sittin in my garage for a trophy.

[jwisniew]

Do i have to check my valves on my 300ex?