Curious what you were quoted, if you're comfortable sharing. Over $400 USD?

 

Triple that, just over $1200.00

 

** CHOKE **

 

This is one of those jobs that's a minor PITA but doable, but it disables your bike for who knows how long if you did it yourself. And that's providing you have all the necessary skills, tools and parts on hand, not just the shims AND you know What The Fluck you're doing.
I bet the $1200 is just to check. If it's gotta be shimmed its probably closer to 2k if not over on a WC bike. I would inquire if that's the price if it NEEDS shims. If it is get it done before they change the quote.

 

You should at least, do the easy part and check them yourself. Then, you'll know if they actually need adjustment and if so, the exact shims needed. The adjustmen part is way more difficult but there're clear instructions online that are easy to follow.

 

Then, you'll know if they actually need adjustment and if so, the exact shims needed.

To determine the exact shims needed, the current shims will need to be removed and measured in which case it would make little sense to not get the correct shims and install them.

 

Done valve check and adjustment if needed on mine 4 times now. Max. 3 hours for a check and 2 more if shim change needed. +time to run to dealer to get correct shims but the dealer does not need that time.
That makes a hourly rate of $400. Not bad!

 

How many shim changes needed in your 4 checks?

 

I've owned about 40 bikes over years and the Street Cup is the only bike I've owned that didn't have screw adjusters. Takes way more time, patience and money with shims but I'd still do it myself rather than trust someone else.

 

October of 2019 I had a dealer check and adjust the valves only on my T120.

I was charged $738.55 total. Parts = $46.30 and labor 5.5 hours for $687.50.

Looks like your dealer is a bit greedy. Did they itemize their quote?

 

You do realize that we are in the year 2025 now 🙄

 

I’m in Nassau also. I am due for service. Do you use dealer in Bellmore? Or where have you had good luck?

 

Yes, I do.

 

I haven't done the valve check on my ST900, but plan on having a look this winter. Having done many overhead cam engines where you have to remove the camshafts( VFRs, Various BMWs, Verseys and so on, to replace shims or buckets in the case of a BMW K1200RS, from what I've seen on line the Triumph ones don't look too difficult. Usually the main amount of work is getting to them.

I'm curious if anybody knows what size of shims the Triumphs use. There are only a few different shim sizes ( diameter ) out there and I've wondered if shims from another brand would work on the Triumph Bonneville's.

A friend of mine has a newer Moto Guzzi and he recently had the valves checked and the cost was between $ 600-700 CDN. The Guzzi ones are easy to get to, but that still seems like a lot of money to me.

 

I'm curious if anybody knows what size of shims the Triumphs use.

They are 9.5mm. Don´t know if other bikes use these though, japanese usually have smaller diameter.

 

I'm sure I've seen discussion elsewhere at Triumphrat regarding shim supply options. This video shows what's involved in getting at, checking, and adjusting valve clearances on the watercooled twins and also demonstrates use of non-OE shims. There are plenty of other videos out there, and it's helpful to view some whether intending to go DIY or to look for a reasonably priced service.

Where I am in England I paid a well-regarded independent Triumph specialist to check my Street Triple 675 clearances, knowing that the camshafts have to come out if shims need to be changed. That was only around £250 because all clearances were OK, 3 years ago. I will take my Speed Twin to the same specialist when the time comes, if I decide not to do it myself, but having watched that video I might well do it myself - getting to the point where clearances can be measured looks just as tedious as on the triple, but changing shims more straightforward.

 

I'm sure I've seen discussion elsewhere at Triumphrat regarding shim supply options. This video shows what's involved in getting at, checking, and adjusting valve clearances on the watercooled twins and also demonstrates use of non-OE shims. There are plenty of other videos out there, and it's helpful to view some whether intending to go DIY or to look for a reasonably priced service.

Where I am in England I paid a well-regarded independent Triumph specialist to check my Street Triple 675 clearances, knowing that the camshafts have to come out if shims need to be changed. That was only around £250 because all clearances were OK, 3 years ago. I will take my Speed Twin to the same specialist when the time comes, if I decide not to do it myself, but having watched that video I might well do it myself - getting to the point where clearances can be measured looks just as tedious as on the triple, but changing shims more straightforward.

It´s a bit tight to get the valve cover off and on again but othervise straight forward job.

 

Aproximatedly adjusted to C$ (I think in euros, and some based on questioning google about average prices in canada)

• Price of a new T120: $15000
• Price of fuel to do 32K km: $1000-1200
• Price of insurance for 5 years: no less than $800-$1000 per year, that's around $5000
• Price of one set of tires (at least, maybe two): $400-$600

And eventually aditional not so low expenses in personalization, other mainteinances, taxes, travels made with it... probably no less than other $2000. Maybe much more.

Total: no less than around $20-25000.

Price of a concrete needed operation that implies opening the engine head and guarantees function to be efficient increasing 3-5% that amount.

Oh my god, so much, so unnecessarily and unaffordably expensive?? really??

 

To get perspective on the cost we need a better index:

Quote for valve check C$1200
Price of beer C$7

proper cost of valve adjustment 171 Beers😱
a sobering thought😁

 

Yeah I saw on here or on another web site complaints about this, truth be told it's a money grab, I'd bet they'd tell you it needed the shims even if it didn't, just to soften you up, my research awhile back was it rarely needs it and you can put it off till 80k. I'm at 44k all looked good when I checked mine at 40k Ride on brother.

 

On my '17 T120 I did my own lash check at 19,000 miles. All of the intake valves were at zero or close to zero. All exhaust valves were okay. Getting the valve cover off and checking lash is the hardest part. Once your in there changing shims is easy breezy.

 

I have a street triple 675, was quoted $1200 to check the shims, I looked at the video of how to do it and it looks complicated. I only paid $4200 dollars for the bike. Now it has 63000 kms on it starts easy so I suppose the valves are good.

 

I had my T100 20,000 mile service done in the UK a few weeks ago - the bill was GBP 1070. It's a bit hard to work out the parts/labour breakdown from the invoice, and in addtion to the valves there's other stuff they do as aprt of the service. There's also costs for environmental disposal etc etc. Educated guess 400 parts and comsumablles/600 labour - which is probably 7 to 10 hours? They had the bike for two days. That's after VAT (sales tax) of 20%

 

Wow, thats $2230.00 in Australia that includes 10% tax.

 

My 2 cents, do it yourself! At least check the clearances yourself! A set of feeler gauges, maybe a valve cover gasket.

 

Although I do most of my own work I do use them on occasion.
What type of work on what type of bike may I ask.?

Although I do most of my own work I do use them on occasion.
What type of work on what type of bike may I ask.?

2022 Tiger 900 GT Pro. 22,000 miles. Last service was at 14,000 but I changed the oil and filter at 20,000. So I guess a valve check, brake fluid and coolant change.

 

I'm going to guess they will quote you close to 2k. 🙄 🙄

 

It is not like the DOHC model the single cam is so doable unless you are not that me technically inclined, the easy thing you can do pull the plugs get TDC and check your clearances , then if you need adjustments take it to the stealer.

 

The hard part is getting the valve cover off and on. Checking clearances and changing shims is easy after that.

 

Don't take my word for it, go ask them for a quote. Maybe I'm off by $1000

 

Here's the quote they gave me for my 20K mile service which includes a LOT more than just the valves. $900 USD which is likely $1200 CAD

Job:20K mile service
Triumph Bonneville T120 Black 2020 - SMTD40HL5LT972914
Check And Adjust Valve clearances, New Air Filter, New Spark Plugs, New Fuel Filter
Change oil, oil filter and crush washer. Inspect and adjust chain. Check brakes and brake fluid consistency. Check tires and inflation.
Check Coolant. Inspect all fittings, gaskets and torque settings. Perform diagnostic examination, updates and reset with Triumph diagnostic tool
Part # Part Description Qty Price Unit Extension Extension
T3500210 CIRCLIP,EXT,8X1 1 $1.48 $1.48 $1.48
T1290745 SPARK PLUG, M10X26,5 HEX 14 2 $10.46 $10.46 $20.92
T2201057 AIR FILTER 1 $39.00 $39.00 $39.00
T2401214 SEAL, FUEL PUMP PLATE 1 $34.30 $34.30 $34.30
T1218001 FILTER,OIL,OES 1 $16.46 $16.46 $16.46
T2407046 FUEL FILTER, INTERNAL 1 $50.80 $50.80 $50.80
T3601276 O RING, ID 23.7 X 2.9 1 $2.26 $2.26 $2.26
T1266002 SEAL, CAM COVER 1 $23.24 $23.24 $23.24
T1260309 SEAL,CAM COVER SCREW,TWIN LIP 4 $5.29 $5.29 $21.16
T3600199 O-RING, 18.8 X DIA 1.9 1 $1.29 $1.29 $1.29
T1268765 GASKET,COVER,ACG 1 $10.75 $10.75 $10.75
T3053005 SCREW, PAN, M7X1X12, T40, ENC 2 $1.37 $1.37 $2.74
83-0463 CASTROL 4T SYNTHETIC 10W40 3.4 $14.95 $14.95 $50.83
T3600216 O'RING, ID 9.8 X 3 2 $2.07 $2.07 $4.14
T3558989 WASHER, SEALING, 14,4X23X3 1 $1.48 $1.48 $1.48
T3500350 CIRCLIP, E-TYPE 1 $2.66 $2.66 $2.66
Parts Subtotal: $283.51
Technician Description Hours Rate Discount Labor Cost
Not Assigned 4.75 $135.00 0.00% $641.25
Labor Subtotal: $641.25
Tax: $19.84
Resolution: Recommended Repairs: Job Subtotal: $944.60

 

Let me just add a bit of info to this thread. I already posted the quoted amount I got for a valve check/adjustment during my annual service. As for doing it yourself, go for it, it's a lot cheaper. There was a day when I was young and broke and had lotsa time that I did all my own work. Rebuilt engines, clutch replacement, tire mounting, etc. But now I have more $ and less time, so when I saw the manual suggested 14K mile adjustment, I was like "What?". I asked the dealer who said that yes that WAS the reco for my 2020 T120, but that Triumph just changed it to 20K miles. In fact, the dealer told me he hadn't done it on his own bike already over 20K. So I decided NOT to do the valves yet. Then all the sudden, my bike started making a really loud bad noise, like a 2-stroke, or a rattle paint can. I immediately took to the dealer since I don't have time, and I was gonna be outta town 2 weeks. It had 14K miles, and guess what, the valves were out of adjustment. Dealer adjusted and added new shims, and all is great now. I find it odd that it happened right at 14K miles. Obviously a coincidence, but you know... What they charged for the adjustment was $

Here's the quote they gave me for my 20K mile service which includes a LOT more than just the valves. $900 USD which is likely $1200 CAD

Job:20K mile service
Triumph Bonneville T120 Black 2020 - SMTD40HL5LT972914
Check And Adjust Valve clearances, New Air Filter, New Spark Plugs, New Fuel Filter
Change oil, oil filter and crush washer. Inspect and adjust chain. Check brakes and brake fluid consistency. Check tires and inflation.
Check Coolant. Inspect all fittings, gaskets and torque settings. Perform diagnostic examination, updates and reset with Triumph diagnostic tool

Resolution: Recommended Repairs: Job Subtotal: $944.60

Let me just add a bit of info to this thread. I already posted the quoted amount above for a full service including a valve check/adjustment during my annual service. As for doing it yourself, go for it, it's a lot cheaper. There was a day when I was young and broke and had lotsa time that I did all my own work. Rebuilt engines, clutch replacement, tire mounting, etc. But now I have more $ and less time, so when I saw the manual suggested 14K mile adjustment, I was like "What?". I asked the dealer who said that yes that WAS the reco for my 2020 T120, but that Triumph just changed it to 20K miles. In fact, the dealer told me he hadn't done it on his own bike already over 20K. So I decided NOT to do the valves yet. Then all the sudden, my bike started making a really loud bad noise, like a 2-stroke, or a rattle paint can. I immediately took to the dealer since I don't have time, and I was gonna be outta town 2 weeks. It had 14K miles, and guess what, the valves were out of adjustment. Dealer adjusted and added new shims, and all is great now. I find it odd that it happened right at 14K miles. Obviously a coincidence, but you know... What they charged for the adjustment was more like $750 FYI.

 

I am here to tell you that I have reached 96,000 km on my 2016 Street Twin. Done all my own maintenance work. No one has ever touched my bike other than me. The valve cover has never been removed. I am still getting 3.3 l/100km. The performance and sound of the motor has not changed significantly to my ears or my seat of the pants feeling.

Don't fix what is not broken.

 

You can't tell people that, I have seen the air/oil cooled Bonnevilles run 150000 miles with one valve check.

 

These guys have rumbled it. Listen - if you have the tank off, plenty of time, a box of shims around (£18, Ali ex) and have done 20 or 30 thousand miles then take a look. Otherwise if everything is running well don’t bother. I am at 21 thousand miles, untouched and happy. Shim ox unopened on my parts shelf. Speed Twin 1200.

 

Hi Sinkrate,
I would refer to the Copenhagen interpretation conclusion to the Schrödinger’s Cat paradox on this.

You just don’t know until you look.

Perhaps in this great forum of ours there might be someone more experienced and confident with this that would be happy to spend a couple of hours, swapping stories a couple of of beers and some spanner work to assist you in at least just the check. If everything is in tolerance then that worry is removed from the back of your mind, if it is out then you might have to sign up for the dealers rather expensive maintenance.

If you say what area of Canada you are in, then you might get a volunteer, Canadians appear to be the most helpful people on this planet (New Zealanders also).

releying on other peoples experience of wear is not the way to go, unfortunately their bike is not your bike.

regards
Peg.

 

I did my own.....but been my own mechanic all my life.....there needs to be lots of care taking working on the camshaft cradles if smims need changing....so no strain is applied on reassemble.

If a cradle is damaged a complete cylinder head is req.....as they are sold in sets.

The info is out there....I can point you to a good video......a workshop manual is a must.

Good chance with the std of today shop guys they wont take proper care of your motor.

That why I do all my own work.

Just checking the gaps is not to bad....but lots of stuff to remove to get the rocker covers off....inc the tank.....put it out of harms way.