Shim argument

[SiP]

I basically have two questions, there's a big argument going on here in my shop regarding the second one.

1. How often do you need to check the valve clearance and hence the shims?

2. In my experience (XS1100) the shim method of setting valve clearance is very reliable and lasts for a considerable amount of time / miles. Am I correct in saying this?

IMHO it's: Hydraulic; Shim; set nut - in order from best to worst.

This has arisen from my buddies dirt bike. It's an 05, he hasn't ridden that much (no more than 30 days in a year), and he thinks his clearance needs doing.

[randy]

This has arisen from my buddies dirt bike. It's an 05, he hasn't ridden that much (no more than 30 days in a year), and he thinks his clearance needs doing.

First off, if your buddy's bike is a two-stroke, his valve clearances will last forever!

In my experience you are correct.

[DavesXS]

Your buddy with the 05 he thinks needs shimmed, might need to adjust cam chain tensioner(if they even have one). I'd imagine a new bike would need adjusted after the break in period.
Mine has 38k and you barely here any valve noise. I doubt the po shimmed because the 2 past PO's were idiots. I might think about shims after 50k.
But I have limited experience in this matter.

[prometheus578]

you are correct with that order... hydraulic, shim and then set/nut.
shims are very reliable and really, judging from some of the other bikes i've worked on, less of a hassle.
i'd have to look at a maints schedule, but we adjust our valves no more than any other style. valves losing clearance over time is normal and has nothing to do with which adjustment method they have.

[79XS11F]

The Manual says to check the valves every 9600.00 KM (6000.00 miles)...
Rob