Oil at 65 miles

[TrailSnot]

As expected, the drained oil was pretty dark, no glitter but I did get a few little metallic chunks settle in the bottom of the pan. Nothing discernible to the eye had collected in the filter.
Took about 900ml to fill to 1/2 way between the hash marks on the dipstick. All in all a good measure to flush the gunk early and get to know the bike a little better, something I do with every bike.
I'll probably do it again in a couple hundred miles just to see how it all looks.

I was told at the store to have the valve clearance checked at a 600 mile service, I don't see that on the service schedule, anyone have thoughts on that?

 

[oldskool]

And how much is this 600 mile service. Thoughts....they want your $

 

[hondatom]

Where did you buy the filter from?

 

[TrailSnot]

Where did you buy the filter from?

Local dealer

 

[TrailSnot]

And how much is this 600 mile service. Thoughts....they want your $

Oh I know they want my money which is why I do as much as I can for myself. I believe it was the owner of the store who has a 2022 model himself. I didn't get the feeling he was trying to bend me over. He'd just handed me some free ratchet straps because he didn't like the light duty ones I was using, undoubtedly ones used in shipping crates but a nice gesture nonetheless.
It felt more like he was suggesting it'd be in my best interest to have it checked.

So, wondering if anyone has had any valve clearance issues that have been picked up on?

 

[Backwoods]

Oh I know they want my money which is why I do as much as I can for myself. I believe it was the owner of the store who has a 2022 model himself. I didn't get the feeling he was trying to bend me over. He'd just handed me some free ratchet straps because he didn't like the light duty ones I was using, undoubtedly ones used in shipping crates but a nice gesture nonetheless.
It felt more like he was suggesting it'd be in my best interest to have it checked.

So, wondering if anyone has had any valve clearance issues that have been picked up on?

If the bike is running good and no valve clearance issues on this forum, I would not bother to check clearance. I can’t remember all the Honda 2 and 4 wheelers I have owned, but I do remember never checking any valve clearance and never having any problems. What say all the ct owners on this? Higher mileage bikes having any issues with valves?

 

[SneakyDingo]

I was told at the store to have the valve clearance checked at a 600 mile service, I don't see that on the service schedule, anyone have thoughts on that?

What say all the ct owners on this? Higher mileage bikes having any issues with valves?

I'm at 6300 mi, did my clearances. They were within tolerance but I did still do a small adjustment to bring them closer to tolerance as one was a little tight (exhaust).

IMO, you can do yourself a big favor and check the clearances yourself, that way you know you won't be spending the dollarydoos on unneeded servicing. I did a write up of checking and adjusting the valves here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...-probably-like-an-idiot.753/page-3#post-15553

There's a lot of instructions but the short version was that it was actually a really, really easy task to do. Pop two covers off, pull the spark plug out, turn the crank manually until it aligns with top dead center, measure clearance, turn it to measure the other valve's clearance and align with mark, measure clearance, put the whole bike back together again. If I'm only checking clearance, the whole process is about 15 minutes, and the hardest part is that my regular 17mm socket doesn't fit through the hole where you turn the crank, I had to use a thin wall socket there. If I wanted to go down this route and see about checking it myself, I'd grab my 17mm socket and a 10mm hex key, remove that middle left side cover, and see if the 17mm fits. If it does, that's generally the biggest problem I encountered... then I'd go watch the videos.

 

[TrailSnot]

I'm at 6300 mi, did my clearances. They were within tolerance but I did still do a small adjustment to bring them closer to tolerance as one was a little tight (exhaust).

IMO, you can do yourself a big favor and check the clearances yourself, that way you know you won't be spending the dollarydoos on unneeded servicing. I did a write up of checking and adjusting the valves here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...-probably-like-an-idiot.753/page-3#post-15553

There's a lot of instructions but the short version was that it was actually a really, really easy task to do. Pop two covers off, pull the spark plug out, turn the crank manually until it aligns with top dead center, measure clearance, turn it to measure the other valve's clearance and align with mark, measure clearance, put the whole bike back together again. If I'm only checking clearance, the whole process is about 15 minutes, and the hardest part is that my regular 17mm socket doesn't fit through the hole where you turn the crank, I had to use a thin wall socket there.

Thanks. Bookmarked the valve post for future use.

 

[dmonkey]

If you check the "Maintenance Schedule" in your owners manual the first valve clearance inspection is recommended at 4,000 miles.

 

[TrailSnot]

If you check the "Maintenance Schedule" in your owners manual the first valve clearance inspection is recommended at 4,000 miles.

I did which is why it raised an eyebrow and I wondered if there was something others knew, some such mfg issue previously noted or the like.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I did which is why it raised an eyebrow and I wondered if there was something others knew, some such mfg issue previously noted or the like.

I think "kind of" is the right answer here. A few people have noted that it comes tight from the factory, but not in a way that is an actual problem.

 

[BaldRider]

I wouldn't pay a shop to check valves that are screw-type and easy to get to. I was thinking about checking valves at 100 miles but I'll probably wait a bit.

Any reason why you can't just use the kickstarter to spin the crank? It is the only time I use my kicker on another bike.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I wouldn't pay a shop to check valves that are screw-type and easy to get to. I was thinking about checking valves at 100 miles but I'll probably wait a bit.

Any reason why you can't just use the kickstarter to spin the crank? It is the only time I use my kicker on another bike.

Other than it's easier to use the 17mm, no. I call it out as a no-socket option, but I think it's harder since it's kind of an awkward position to actuate the lever while also looking for TDC. If I had nothing but hopes, dreams and some way to shine a looking glass into the hole, that's exactly how I'd do it.

I agree with doing it yourself on screw type valves and not paying for it. The specialized tools for the job are like $17 combined and once you get the hang of it, the task is well within reach for the modest home mechanic. If you can measure it accurately using feeler gauges, I think you're 99% of the way there. Additionally let's say you screw it up... this engine is pretty forgiving.

 

[Kev250R]

I think the Dealer may have recommended the 600 mile valve check since for years (70's, 80's) since that's what Honda Recommended back then.

I'm at nearly 1,000 miles on my Trail and have yet to look at the valves. I thought about it when I serviced it a couple of months ago, but opted not to. I have a couple of Honda Quads which have never needed a valve adjustment in the ~15 years I've owned them; Honda makes a really good product.

I agree that the valves on these motors are easy to check and not hard to adjust. My air-cooled VW uses a similar flat-tappet style Valve which I adjust annually when I do an oil change on that engine. Having a friend help by turning the engine over with a ratchet makes it easier, same with working a kick-starter on a bike.

The only type of valve I avoid checking or adjusting are shim-type. One of my Quads and my two KTM's use that style. I know some people find them easy to measure and adjust but I'm not one of them. Those machines go to a trusted shop when they're due for an adjustment.

 

[m in sc]

as an fyi, to check the valves, its much easier to hold at tdc with the sparkplug out.

 

[SneakyDingo]

as an fyi, to check the valves, its much easier to hold at tdc with the sparkplug out.

I am embarrassed as to how many YEARS it took me to learn this.

 

[BaldRider]

I am embarrassed as to how many YEARS it took me to learn this.

I still forget to take spark plugs out and can't figure out why it is so much harder that I remember. Usually, by the time I am done with the valve check, I remember I didn't take the plugs out.

 

[dmonkey]

It's a test of patience to land the engine at TDC working the kicker by hand, I tried that then grabbed a socket wrench instead for the CT125. On bigger bikes I'll shift the bike into the highest gear and spin the rear wheel in the air by hand to get it there.

 

[m in sc]

just take the big plug out of LH side of the bike cover and use a long 17mm socket on a t handle. the tdc marks are under the smaller plug.

 

[KYtrailfan]

I did my initial Oil change today at 192 miles and installed a magnetic Gold Plug. Glad I didn't wait for the 600 miles. Clutch was little out of adjustment but the chain was still right on target. Put a little lube on it and called it good.