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I have 33323.3 on mine now and not sure when it was last done or checked. Local Kaw dealer mechanic (Dave) is a super guy and well respected in town, he told me it sounded bang on last time we chatted. I found out he was being laid off for the winter, so on the side I asked him if he would do work on the side and away from the shop, and point in mind was the valve check.
  Dave  told me and I found a place on you tube were the guy shows and talks his way though a valve adjustment. It is engine in the frame, the tank off and all the air filter stuff is off. Then I was told that then heads come off and laid aside, and Dave said he then will check all the valves with his feeler and then decide on the next step, weather to replace shim or not and if the tolerance's were in spec then leave it alone. He also said it can be done in the living room while I am watching TV and just keep him supplied with coffee and it is not a hard job and actually not a long job if the shims are good, but could be once you start to match shims. Mine is getting done around about Jan Feb time frame.

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Posted by greenbarn

- September 24, 2013, 08:29:22 AM

That's what I thought I had read. That's what I had planned, at least.

Posted by Troll

- September 24, 2013, 06:50:07 AM

The valve adjustment is not an out of frame job. There are various places around the net with instructions. The 800 Drifter is almost exactly the same as the 800 Vulcan...don't let them jerk you around!

Posted by greenbarn

- September 24, 2013, 06:37:29 AM

Mine is ready to turn over 20000, no adjustments as far as I know. It's quiet, though. I thought I might do it this winter, but I didn't think you had to pull the motor. Sounds like a pain.

Posted by mittico68

- September 24, 2013, 05:52:39 AM

Quote from: Gerhardberger on September 24, 2013, 05:29:33 AM
My bike has 47.251kms and didn`t have the valves checked yet. Engine is doing the typical rude noise, but valves are no singing....

Mine too: she has got 38,500 Kms on and still goes like a violin...

Posted by Gerhardberger

- September 24, 2013, 05:29:33 AM

My bike has 47.251kms and didn`t have the valves checked yet. Engine is doing the typical rude noise, but valves are no singing....

Posted by kw-retrorider

- September 24, 2013, 04:19:14 AM

Was reading the service manual and noted valve adjustment is an engine out of frame deal....wow!?
Checked in with the local dealer who said: "yeah, those Drifters are a nightmare to work on"...valve adjustment is an out of the frame job...cost about $450!
So.....
Chief: Couldn't figure out how to navigate to the videos you posted on the blog....can you help?
Ratman: You had a thread about whether to do your valves or not....did not see final result...what did you do?

My machine has 16K on it and I doubt they have ever been done. They also are not making noise....I've had british bikes and cars...I know what noisy valves sound like.

Was wondering what the experience of other 800 owners is, who have some mileage on their machines.....Not opposed to spending money if I have to, or lifting the forward valve cover to see what clearance is there now....although I have no experience with shimmed valve adjustment. Comments welcome.

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