I have a 2007 Monster 695 with a replacement engine in it. I am not sure of the last time the work was done on the engine in the bike now.
The local dealership doesn't want to give me the actually hours to do this job, they want to lump it in with the rest of the things that are done as part of a regular service.
Thanks
I think it would depend on how much you trust your dealership. The last quote I received was around $700.00 for a valve adjustment and belt tension check on a 2011 Monster 696. This was in addition to an oil change. Mind you, this was only a quote and if things are in "spec" and your dealer is playing nicely, might come to MUCH LESS.
Have you considered checking the valve lash yourself? I'm a noob (at least to Ducati ownership) and it was very straight forward. Checking the valves took me at most 1 hour (after the covers were off) and I took my time as it was my first "Desmo" check.
Some shops charge a flat rate for checking clearance and additional for each valve that is adjusted. Some charge an average rate regardless of how many valves get adjusted. You will pay extra for shims, half rings and gaskets.
I don't have the shims to switch them out at home if its out at all.
I'm a bit of a math retard also... Even the tape measure defeats me sometimes.
I do have the old engine kicking around though and I had just had the valves done on that one. I may pick up a feeler gauge and try on that one though...
Great idea, not only can you learn with the old motor before jumping into yours, but you also have some shims in there if you need some. The shims are not that expensive and you may be able to mix and match with the existing ones in your motor FWIW...
Like the idea of trying out the method with the old motor! Wish I had one (well, not really, on second thought; that would mean I needed the new one).
At Desert Desmo LLC in Albuquerque, NM
2-valve Monster, valve check only (includes belt R&R....gotta take 'em off to check the valves properly, anyway):
3 hours labor at $75 per hour is $225. Add the cost of belts if you want new ones, $1/hour shop supplies, and 7% tax. Total should be around $325 including ExactFit belts.
That's what we'd charge.
3 hours should be about right, I just did the 7500 mile service on a hyper which requires much more disassembly to get to the valve covers than a Monster. Checked the valves, adjusted one of them, tensioned the belts, cleaned out the clutch dust, and reset the maintenance light for $350 total. The owner does his own oil changes and chain adjustments and such, so that wasn't needed. I am a small independent shop though, dealerships on average seem to charge about $700.