I,ve just bought an 07 strom with 21000 miles on the clock. the previous owner was not up to much on the maintenance front and i only have service records up to 10,000 miles. So am assuming that the clearances have never been checked. I've changed the oil, filter etc but am wondering if the clearances are something i can do myself or should i take it to the shop. I am fairly able with a spanner and would like to do it but equally dont want to get in over my head!

Any advice.

PS, considering the bike probably has nt been serviced for 10,000 miles is their anything else i should be worrying about?

Have a look here:

DL650 Valve Adjustment Notes and Tips - Stromtrooper Forum : Suzuki V-Strom Motorcycle Forums

Lots of information for VStrom owners.

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Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

I'm not a really good mechanic at all, used the Stromtrooper information to do the valve check on mine, went really well, had absolutely no problems at all taking apart and putting back together again. Actually let me put it another way, if I can do it with the information available anybody can!!

Cheers Growler

How long did it take you Growler? I've not got a covered garage so am a bit weather dependant!

If the 650 was like the 1000, then it would be a very simple valve tappet check with a feeler gauge.

It is not though, it uses shims to adjust the valve clearances. Just for some personal feedback, I had my 06 model checked at the shop at 18,000km as per the book, they were in spec.

My 07 model was never checked, I clocked up 90,000km while riding the Americas

My 09 current bike, has just clocked 56,000km and never been checked and I am currently in Europe riding it home to Oz

It is NOT something I would do unless I had a very good clean garage and all the right tools, but as I am on the road, that is not possible and I don't trust anyone else in there

If I were you and worried about it, I would pay the few dollars(maybe 1.5hrs labour) to get the Suzuki shop to check it before going on a long trip

But, from the information I have from VSRI.com, you can get away without it, but it is your decision to not do it or do it as you feel fit

At this stage of the bikes life, it will need a new air filter, and fit some bug screen over the air intake snorkle to stop them getting inside. Make sure you ask for an 07 airfilter WITH gasket, do not throw the old one away in case you need to re-use the gasket, my 06 bike was dusted because the mechanic left the gasket off at the 18,000 service

New spark plugs

It will probably need a coolant change and bleed the brakes with new fluid because it is over two years old, just check the manual for the required replacement times

There is not much else it really needs, just change the oil and filter everytime at around the 5-6,000mile, or 8,000km and it will last for ever

Cheers from Austria
TravellingStrom

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www.travellingstrom.com

　
　
　
BTW, at least over here, recommended oil change interval is 6000 kms. I´m using mineral oil, and for me that 6 thousand is maximum. It doesn´t cost much. And I renew the filter every time as well.

Agree with Pecha72.

I would do a full service - burn a valve and you are looking at serious repair work and cost for the sake of not doing a four hour job.

Just 'cos one guy didn't service his bike and got away with it (he may not, of course!), does not mean you will be so lucky.

Skimping on service work is plain dumb - do it or get it done.

Yeah I would think about 4 hrs would finish it off. Actually pulling the valve covers and doing the measurements doesn't take that long. It's pulling the fairing and rad etc, etc for the first time that takes the longest. The previous owner of my bike went 40,000kms without checking the valves. When I did it the valves were slightly tight but still well within spec

Cheers Philip

Just got myself an '08 wee strom with 24ishK on. Thought I better do the whole big service thing as service record was "sketchy" . My valves are just in spec(tight) except one inlet is over tight. EEK! Think I will do the whole lot anyway making them all at the loose end of spec - as I am lead to believe they go tight over time. Hope that's right?
Doing some paintwork too as it shite engine is in quite a mess.......salt damage.

You'll find a full tutorial, with photos, at

Suzuki V-Strom DL650 Valve Check and Adjustment