[Bokobob]

I am considering a 1300 CTX.....Do the valves need periodic adjustment?

Thank you,

Bob
I'm a 1936 model

 

[sleepngbear]

On the ST1300, I believe they need to be checked every 16,000 miles. I'd guess the CTX1300 would be the same.

 

[csdexter]

I guess the only people asking that question are former H-D owners, right? No offence intended, H-D is known to use hydraulic lifters in most (if not all) of its engines, so if that's your only experience the question comes natural.

However I don't remember seeing any Japanese bike with the same setup, so the question is somewhat hilarious in this realm, where all of them need some form of periodic adjustment.

 

[bob]

If I remember reading right over on the ST forum many riders there have checked the valve clearance but didn't need to do anything to adjust, so end up just looking. Some even have skipped a scheduled check or two with no issues. Honda may say to check but seems that this engine doesn't really need much maintenance for things like that.

 

[Bokobob]

I guess the only people asking that question are former H-D owners, right? No offence intended, H-D is known to use hydraulic lifters in most (if not all) of its engines, so if that's your only experience the question comes natural.

However I don't remember seeing any Japanese bike with the same setup, so the question is somewhat hilarious in this realm, where all of them need some form of periodic adjustment.

In point of fact, Harley is my least fave bike in the entire world and would not accept one if gifted if I could not sell it and had to give my up other bikes in order to have it........

Kawasaki Nomad 1600s and 1700s and I think 1500s have automatically adjusted valves....That is why I asked about the CTX 1300..

I am happy to have added some hilarity to your reading..

Best,

Bob

 

[Jimmytootall]

I had the valves checked on my st1300 at 32,000 kilometers they did not need adjusting. I have owned many Honda quads and I have quit checking them because they never seem to be out. BUT on the ST1300 owners group site I have read that on the 2nd check there was some minor adjustments needed with a few riders. Hope this helps

 

[Bokobob]

Forgot to say

HOnda Pacific Coast 800 (PC800) also had automatically adjusting valves..

I have a Honda Magna V4 power cruiser and have not done the valves in 21000 miles..I suppose I should, but the engine is quite complicated and seems to run fine..

Bob

 

[csdexter]

I am happy to have added some hilarity to your reading..

Best,

Bob

I apologize if I came across as arrogant, it was never my intent :| All my past experience with Japanese bikes involves engines without hydraulic lifters (be them rocker arms or shim-and-buckets).

I am also a hands-on person and I naturally expect every mechanical thing to require some form of maintenance -- more or less involved, more or less often. Will probably be very depressed when they make the first "just add gas" motorbike that lasts for 20 years without you having to touch a single bolt

Once again, sorry if I offended you.

 

[soggybottom]

This is a valid question, I would think the valves on the detuned CTX engine would require a much later requirement, like, 25000 mile? You guys that already own a CTX1300 can you look in your manual at the service interval chart and let us know please?

Also prolly half the Harleys on the road may have adjustable push rods and must be checked at regular service, when the owners spend 4-5K on the rattle trap exhaust, airbox mods and cam swaps to gain 7 HP they must install adjustable pushrods.

 

[bob]

This is a valid question, I would think the valves on the detuned CTX engine would require a much later requirement, like, 25000 mile? You guys that already own a CTX1300 can you look in your manual at the service interval chart and let us know please?...

Did, it is 16,000 miles interval. It may not need inspection as often as that, and will likely as not need no actual adjustments so soon, but Honda kept the same interval.

 

[csdexter]

Also, may be interesting to note, the CTX1300 has bucket-over-shim lifters which means the whole camshaft has to come out to adjust the clearances (i.e. change shims). They can be measured (checked) without removing the camshaft, however.

 

[Bokobob]

Apology Accepted

Thank you for your apology.....I must be getting more curmudgeonly in my old (nearly 80) age........I note that in your first comment you said "no offence intended" so the apology should come from me for overreacting...



I so admire folk who are so handy as you with mechanical things...

Anyway, further down in the responses another chap mentioned how Harleys often resort to pushrods for adjustment so I learned something I did ot know....
Sincerely,
Bob

 

[jmmont]

Jerky throttle mod

Receive my one last Wednesday SN 184 Blue standard 18,999 mspr and after some miles I feel the little jerky throttle manage and the vibration at the handlebar when hit road imperfections. On my Suzuki m90 the jerky throttle was terrible to deal, I fix it with a cobra fi 2000 a softer rear shock coil and decreasing the radio of the throttle grip and increasing the ratio at the throttle drum. Now the m90 runs smooth and sweet. I do the throttle mod on the CTX on Saturday and put 100 miles yesterday and feel the jerky was gone. Its and easy mod I used a dremel with a carbon disk to make a channel in the cable guide at the throttle grip and used two 22 gauge cable with some cynoacrylitic medium glue and insert it at the throttle drum( the part that opens the air butterfly). Also I want to put some hard rubber at the triple tree with the riser to absorb the handlebar vibration. I love these bike its very smooth and a pleasure to ride, its the best ride in my 8 riding years. Excuse my errors I do the best I can with English language.

 

[jmmont]

Excuseme this is another theme.

 

[brock29609]

However I don't remember seeing any Japanese bike with the same setup....

Add the Honda Shadow Aero 1100 to the list.

 

[Bokobob]

Thanks for info on pulling camshaft to change out shims...sounds complicated....bummer...I don't do "wrench" stuff due to lack of aptitude...

 

[TwelveBagger]

My former Shadow Spirit 1100 didn't need valve adjustments. But my Magna has the shim-under-bucket setup and the VTX1800 uses a lock nut to make the adjustment. At least the CTX1300 has the engine heads sticking out in plain sight, so you probably won't have to take as much of the bike apart to get the job done.

 

[coneye]

So what are we tsalking in hours to do this job , we talking bank loans or what

 

[TennesseeSmith]

I put over 145 thousand miles on my first ST1100 and never had to make a valve adjustment. That bike was to be checked at 12 thousand mile intervals.

Most of the other guys had to adjust their bikes. The issue was not the time or the complexity of the job. The issue was finding the right shim. They would gather up in groups to buy shim kits. Then when someone used a shim from the kit, they would replace it with the shim that came out of the bike. Individual shims don't cost much, but you don't know what size you need until you're well into the job. If you have to order a shim, you could be down for a week.

I just always made an overnight appointment when my bike was due for a valve check. I'd drop it off in the evening. The next morning the shop mechanic would work on the bike with a cool engine. He had access to shims in all sizes. I don't remember what the service cost, but it didn't put me in the poor house. I'll do the same thing with the CTX1300.

 

[GARRY UK]

Hi although honda recommend checking every 16000 miles my own experience with st11 and st1300 of which i usally covered 150,000 miles + i found on 5 st versions i only had to change very few shims, thought out the miles , worth checking yourself every 16-20,000 miles especially 1st time round as the bike beds in you may need to change a few initially, but i wouldn't waste money having your dealer do them every 16000 miles, unless that mileage takes you years, then the price dosent really matter, most important items on the st range is regular oil/filter changes, and if it becomes thirsty or sluggish, plugs and air filter, apart from that and pads/tyres etc these st v4 engines are ideal for lazy or poor riders,as you dont need to spend a fortune, but again your average rider wont mind putting it in the dealer every year, i usally have the 1st 2 services done upto 8000 miles then self service,but i can do 30-50000 miles a year .. if the new bike has any issues it normally shows after 6-10,000 miles, but i havent had a bad v4 st yet? anyway just my own experience, but if you change bikes regularly on low mileage ill always say best to get it dealer serviced and stamped for the top re sale etc, but at my mileage its not a issue..ride safe cheers Garry, and im not a really convinced that most dealers care for your bike as much as you do!