Hi everyone! Valves on my Multistrada 1000, 2003, need to be checked and adjusted. I tend to do most of the usual stuff on the bike myself, but I am not sure if doing valves can still be considered as “usual” or rather say doable by amateur. I got some standard tools and am quite good with basic to intermediate repairs. Could you please share your thoughts and experience on valve clearance? Is it difficult, do I need some extra tools and parts? Or would you recommend to take it to garage instead? Thank you, Martin
Checking them is easy enough, only need basic tools & feeler gauges. If they need altering you'll need shims, you can get individual shims from a dealer but the best way (to avoid going to and from the dealer multiple times) is to get a shim kit, not cheap but probably pays for itself after a couple of services. I got mine from EMS in the USA; EMSDUC
This topic has been covered exhaustively in many threads before. I doubt if many posters will want to go through it all yet again.
I've got a shim kit (early 2v 8mm) and it only gets you in the ball park of the adjustment usually. Ie one shim will give too loose adjustment and the next one too tight, so you need to lap the tight shim down to size. The later 7mm shim kits are alledgedly better spaced in terms of sizing though I think you could still easily encounter some that need an in between size. PS to lap a shim just needs some plate glass/flat surface and some fine emery paper/grinding paste and a lot of patience oh and a micrometer to measure the changes
