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My mechanic buddy had a family emergency today. So we will be doing the Valves either Sat or Monday. I will make a picture document of the steps required, now that being said I am not a mechanic nor even close to one, but the last time we did this Dave came over and read from the manual for me and I did the work. I just have a hard time with finding TDC and he told me that there is a really simple way for doing that on a VN 800 engine. But the steps are fairly simple,
remove seat;
remove tank;
there is 2 rad hose bolts on each side of the engine need to be loosened or removed so the hoses can be moved around;
remove the hose connecting the two covers; 
remove spark plug;
remove the three bolts from the cover;
you might need to tap the covers, not hard DO NOT use a screwdriver here, there is a rubber gasket that is reusable.
it is like opening a jar you need to just tap the cover to break the seal.
remove the covers;
open the inspection plugs on the engine left side to check for TDC
then with your manual see that the shims are the correct ones with feeler gauges,
there is an o ring that needs to be greased inside the cover were the spark plug comes in. 
Best way to remove the spark plug is with the tools from the tool kit, 
in fact this whole job can be done with the tools from the tool kit other then feeler gauges.  
The covers come off and with a wee bit of finess they will slide out to the right side of the engine,
when you replace the covers make sure the gasket is not twisted or pinched, it is visible. 
I will be making a picture document of the steps involved shortly.

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Posted by Old Drifter

- January 29, 2017, 11:19:25 AM

Good info CDNRatMan! When I saw this post, I knew you'd respond since you've done it before and are doing it again soon.

Posted by CDNRatMan

- January 29, 2017, 11:09:51 AM

Ok set the record straight, The manual calls for the first inspection at 30,000, second at 60,000 I bought my bike and at 30, 000 did the inspection. The engine does not have to be taken out of the bike. You need to remove the seat, and the fuel tank. I am doing my 60,000 valve check today and will take pictures because really it is simple, if you can find TDC on the piston you can do the job and it takes less than an hour once you have everything ready. When I did mine last time everything was bang on so a simple check.
Also in the manual there is a chart that tells you which shim to use in each case required, so simply take one out replace it and start your check over till it all mets up and is correct. The rear cylinder cover is the only hard part and it just requires a little finesse to get it out. But the engine does not have to come out........

Posted by Tfrank59

- January 29, 2017, 10:37:31 AM

I think the idea with the 6000 miles on valves is to check them, and if they're out of spec to adj with shims. I have 13k on my 06 and don't plan to do anything unless engine performance or valve train sound changes.

Posted by UGLY

- January 29, 2017, 10:06:54 AM

I ride a 1500-99 Drifter. Four days ago looked at a 800 . AT 75 I still put 2500 up k on my bike in b.c and alberta.during the summer the 800 has shims to adj. valves and I understand has to be done every 6000 miles with the engine taken out. expensive if not done oneself. Wow sure like the looks of the800 c/l Kelona b.c.

Posted by Zoar

- January 23, 2017, 12:14:26 PM

Excellent! Glad you are investing in your Drifter. I started mine up over the weekend. It sounded beautiful as always. Did not have time to ride it even tough we had nice weather. I saw about 8 bikes on the road Sunday. I plan to invest more into mine as well. I have soft bags on it and even though they look quite 1939-ish they don't really have much room in them and/or are that conducive for when I start longer over night rides.

Best bike ever!

Posted by Tfrank59

- January 22, 2017, 01:50:35 AM

Well that settles it. I bought myself some fishtail exhaust and I'm going to keep this girl at least for the foreseeable future. Once I get the pipes I'll have to do some custom work and will post pics when done.

Posted by CDNRatMan

- January 21, 2017, 17:39:21 PM

well time to add them WWW's to make her pretty and then when your wife wants you sell it put i back on CL and ask for $85,000.00 and tell the missus you have it listed but strange no one is calling you......

Posted by Tfrank59

- January 21, 2017, 15:17:47 PM

Yeah I just took her out today for a short ride and reminded myself how much I like this bike. And you're right, it doesn't cost me a thing except tabs every year and very little room in the garage to store it.

Posted by Old Drifter

- January 21, 2017, 14:43:18 PM

Quote from: Tfrank59 on January 21, 2017, 11:40:43 AM
Well I deleted my ad on craigslist, at least for now. (some flake in California wanted to try and pay by check even though the ad clearly says "cash and local pick up only") I'm going to hang onto the girl for a while and if my wife bugs me at all to sell it, like later in the season, I might put it back up for sale but I really want to keep it. After all I bought it because I like it! I love the way the bike looks and I really enjoy riding it. What else is there?

Glad to hear that you're keeping it, good decision. You know what you have and it doesn't eat much sitting there.

Posted by Tfrank59

- January 21, 2017, 11:40:43 AM

Well I deleted my ad on craigslist, at least for now. (some flake in California wanted to try and pay by check even though the ad clearly says "cash and local pick up only") I'm going to hang onto the girl for a while and if my wife bugs me at all to sell it, like later in the season, I might put it back up for sale but I really want to keep it. After all I bought it because I like it! I love the way the bike looks and I really enjoy riding it. What else is there?

Posted by CDNRatMan

- January 20, 2017, 21:01:17 PM

The flag would have to stay with you and then the bike sadly is only worth $3500.00 and the reason is it lacks that pop that WWW would give it......lol.......
A few years ago when the exchange was closer it might have been a deal, and 8 hour drive is ok, I drove a round trip of 8 hours total to go and buy pick up my bike and come home with it.....

Posted by Tfrank59

- January 20, 2017, 20:17:20 PM

I totally get why someone in CA wouldn't want to buy in the US, but a few years back somebody from BC drove down and got my Honda XR650, paid all the fees and went through the hassle. I'm sure he had no regrets, though it was only around 4 hrs drive (each way) for him. At any rate, if Suzy wants to come to the Seattle area here's the CL posting for my 800, which I think is worth 4k with only 13k miles. Don't really want to sell her but if I can get my price I'll let her go. These bikes are already collectible, so if you can HANG ON TO YOURS!
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/mcy/5966539680.html You folks up north would probably change to the maple leaf flag

Posted by CDNRatMan

- January 18, 2017, 21:11:48 PM

Understanding all the stuff talking about but that $3,000.00 US bike in the US after the exchange is now $3,979.24 CDN, then we have to deal with the HST, a must pay tax, at 13% so an additional $517.30 so now we are at $4,496.54. Than depending on where in Ontario she lives the on in St. Catherines would be perhaps a day's drive, 2 tanks of fuel.......
So really comparing prices in the US vs Canada can sometimes not be as easy as just the price. How many times I have seen someone sucked in buying on ebay and not factoring in the exchange rate and the cost of shipping. Something to be very aware of.

Posted by greenbarn

- January 18, 2017, 19:19:31 PM

Seems like I've noticed the Drifter price tags are dearer above the 49th. Maybe part of it is the exchange rate, but perhaps they just appreciate a good thing up there more, and so the prices go up accordingly.

Posted by CARPE DIEM DRIFTER

- January 18, 2017, 12:19:59 PM

CDNRatman, Understood on the geographical distance and expense and time of travel. Just a point of reference. CDD

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