BMW F800GS Valve Adjustment

advrider.com/in...
Riley and Chris finally get around to doing a valve check on the F800GS. The valve cover had also been leaking like a lot of the early production bikes. This is not a full step by step. I think there is some good information in here. For the real details use the link provided above for an excellent write up on advrider.com. The bike never leaked after the installation of the new gasket and revised bolts. You will also see what you need to do to change the spark plugs.

[@lupinwolf]

So where is the "adjustment" part? Would it have taken too much of your time to name the video correctly? "Valve clearance check", for example?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Your money will gladly be refunded.

[@pcmountaindog]

After seeing this. I have no intention of spending that much time for now. I'm going to want till 50,000 miles. What's the worst that can happen, the valves clearance gets bigger and it taps? Why are all these bikes designed so badly when it come to maintenance issues? This job is easy on the 1200 R.

[@AwesomePlayers]

No bikes are as easy to work on as the boxers. My 1150GS and my Ural are a dream. Even the 701 valves involve removing a ton of stuff.

[@Ed-lz4jv]

comments so distracting, im outta here

[@AwesomePlayers]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@appalachianridgerunners6571]

You all fill like family lol

[@cpF01]

Boy, I thought my 1190 Adventure was a beeatch to work on. Your 800 looks maybe worse. Thanks for posting.

[@pmejuto]

Hi. Where did you find the torque numbers, and clearance gaps for this bike? Do you have the workshop manual for this bike? I have one and it would be great to have it!! Thaks in advance

[@AwesomePlayers]

I have the maintenance DVD but if you follow the link all the information is there as well. advrider.com/index.php?threads/f800gs-valve-adjusting-step-by-step.623587/

[@_Tuna_98]

Wow, I have struck gold! Thank you for a great tutorial!

[@AwesomePlayers]

Glad it helped.

[@malcolmmathers2690]

i liked the bit at the end where riley falls down lols was good also to see what you need to dig thru to get to the valve cover i think still easyer than a v strom im getting a f 650 gs in a couple days look forward to that cheers guys

[@AwesomePlayers]

Enjoy the new bike. Those Rotax twins are very solid motors.

[@jasonv9202]

This was a great realist video. “The seal wasn’t doing dick” and “it’s already hitting shit”.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Thanks Jason.

[@taraskompaniyets1039]

Oh, my God! So complicated way to reach those valves?! WTF!

[@AwesomePlayers]

It does make them hard to steal. Valve theft is very common on the boxer twins.

[@asas5527]

Hi. After measuring shims changed one from inlet. Marked chain and sprockets before taking it of. Put everything back. It starts for a second and stops. Noise is bigger than suppose to be. Than started rpms jumps to 3000. It works while accelerated. Probably wrong timming even if cams were marked and crank locked. Does anyone has any idea or picture how cams should be sitting. Thanks in advance.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Check this thread on advrider. The answers will be there and if not it will be the best place to ask. advrider.com/index.php?threads/f800gs-valve-adjusting-step-by-step.623587/

[@asas5527]

Thank you. Some how did it myself :).

[@AwesomePlayers]

Glad to hear. What was the issue?

[@asas5527]

to tell the truth have no idea. just put cam shafts by marks while crank was locked. at first it wasnt starting very well. stopped after some kind of metal hiting something noise (sorry for my english). thought thats it. killed the engine. but after it started worked as it supposed to, just rpms were to high. after adjustment sounds normal.

[@stuartensor6999]

Great job guys. Watching all you have to do on the BMW to check the valves I am so glad to have my DR650 for ease of maintenance.

[@javierissac2792]

instablaster...

[@joem5110]

Change the title because you didn't adjust valve lash, you just checked it.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Sorry!

[@christinegreen7120]

Nice job fellas. Technically correct with a little banter along the way makes it easy and fun to watch

[@AwesomePlayers]

Thank you!

[@MikeEpps72]

got a link for those replacement levers you have on the 800?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Pazzo levers from Italy. Some of the Chinese copies are pretty good as well.

[@shezaanmohamed8511]

Where can i get the service DVD? For a 2013F800Gs?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Check ebay.

[@GustaTurbo]

Maintenance Party 5 :)

[@davidj4662]

Thanks for including the flop overs at the end.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Working on that video now.

[@ssc00p]

There was no valve adjustment, you "just" checked the valve lash/clearance...

[@AwesomePlayers]

ssc00p True

[@xemarubio9408]

Hi guys ,You didn´t make adjustment, just check?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Was still in spec.

[@nosherz]

Fantabulous

[@andrewfelcey5675]

I'm not sure but I think BMW MAY have a service department !!!!!!

[@seanknight9898]

Andrew Felcey - if your into throwing away $600 bucks. 😕

[@AwesomePlayers]

Been there. Had a lot of very bad experiences.

[@OffRoadQC]

Just a check should be a lot less than that (350-400$ CND maybe), if they have to adjust them then the price goes up. I had to pay over 800$ CND for a valve job on my Aprilia Tuono last summer. It's an 8h job even for a trained specialist. And they had to adjust them, the exhaust valves were out of spec and it wasn't running good. Still, that's what I would call high maintenance... I hope I will not have to do that again too soon... Fortunately, I ride it a lot less since I got the 800! :)

[@siebrendeweerdt2972]

Could you perhaps say what diameter the shims are?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Hi Siebren. I'm not sure what diameter the shims were. Sorry.

[@siebrendeweerdt2972]

Awesome Players, no problem thanks anyways. I like your channel btw!

[@G58]

That’s a nightmare of a nasty job. If you put too much gasket cement on the surface, it oozes out into the engine, and eventually it can break off and end up floating around the oil system and blocking the oilways. I will never buy one of these. By the way, wrong torque settings are the main reason for leaking rocker covers. On most I reuse old seals. Thank you for sharing this horrible job.

[@AwesomePlayers]

I know at one point they revised the bolts to allow for more clamping pressure. Since the bolts have shoulders once they bottom you won’t get any more clamping no matter how high the torque applied.

[@stevegoyette4785]

It's amazing how you can straddle that thin hairy line between Instructional AND entertaining without giving yourself an atomic Wedgie. NIcely done. Two thumbs way up...though as a fellow canuck I have to say it needs more bacon!!

[@AwesomePlayers]

You are correct. I will bring that up with management.

[@tallnotdeaf]

I crashed and wrote off my 2008 f800gs a year ago and I have not got over it since I loved that bike it did everything beautifully and looked mean in the yellow and black I now ride a thundercat 600 which has brakes that seize in winter does 130 miles to a tank and over all doesn't brush the surface on how versatile the BMW was.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Time to snag a used 800. Plenty of low miles bikes around.

[@rickwiltfong1482]

I would like to read the detailed instructions in the thread but it comes up as “file not found”.☹️

[@AwesomePlayers]

Check out the Parallel Twins Forum on Advrider.com advrider.com/f/threads/f800gs-valve-adjusting-step-by-step.623587/

[@erickgutierrez621]

Thank you for the cool, detailed, and heartfelt vid! I also ride an F800GS!! How is yours doing gentlemen?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Riley's got sold a few years ago but was running perfectly. Dave is riding a 2009 in the same colour and all is well. They are very solid machines with a few small flaws like any machine. Cheers.

[@anisslekkal2981]

Hello friend thx for the tutorial. Please can you advise me a dealer to bay a shim kit for the f800.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Hi there. If you are not in a hurry you can measure and then buy just the shims you need. Any BMW dealer will have them. In the USA MaxBMW has good online ordering.

[@BRideru812]

Always good to know there are parts on your GS that can cure "Loneliness" :) Enjoy

[@carrascoariel1]

hi very good video i see you have a program in your computer for the disarm of the bike, which program are you using? thanks

[@AwesomePlayers]

I have the BMW Maintenance DVD and I also use the GS911 which allows you to read error codes and reset the service indicator. www.hexcode.co.za/

[@benny1769]

is there anyway to get the software you guys are using(on computer)? or is this a standard workshop software

[@AwesomePlayers]

It is the BMW service DVD. Available from BMW. Also available online for less. Since most computers don't seem to have an optical drive these days I made a virtual disk.

[@scotpleski5534]

Damn. OK. You convinced me the R1200GS was a good purchase.

[@seanknight9898]

Scot Pleski It is but be prepared to tame a 600lbs beast that will ride you first. Lol

[@TheBookaroo]

Hi guys, you didn't talk about it on your video, did you check the sparkplug gap ?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Can't remember but I usually do.

[@seanknight9898]

I love these maintenance vids you guys do. In all seriousness, one can learn quite a bit. It's one thing to be told to just remove something. In practice it's not always that simple. Cheers

[@asarmientoma]

What is the adjustment supposed to be? just put the X and E in place and clean the valve?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Just change the shims to get the intake and exhaust in spec.

[@MotoActionADV]

Blackfoot Motorsports sticker on your garage door. You been to Calgary?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Many times.

[@Crana]

Seems to be in very good condition, I've seen a few newer GS1200's that are going rusty after a year or so, kinda strange.

[@AwesomePlayers]

I regularly position the bike so that the oil is spread evenly on all surfaces.

[@ernier9033]

That's one of the differences between a BMW and a ROTAX bike🕊

[@ajkylen]

great video thank you fall city Joe stickers please

[@AwesomePlayers]

Hi Joe. Head over to www.awesomeplayers.com and you can get stickers there using the order tab.

[@wr3bit]

Wow ! that's so unexpected ! two days ago, I was looking the thread on ADVrider to start planning on the (first) valve adjustment of my 80 000km 2009 f800gs... Thanks a lot !!! Pretty funny also because I'm gonna re-re-re-do the steering head bearings as well...

[@AwesomePlayers]

I haven't looked at the steering head footage yet. One thing that really helped is we bought the special tool to get the bearings out of the steering head. www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-RT-2-Steering-Remover/dp/B000BBBOYO/ref=pd_lpo_263_lp_t_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4XSCYYEMAQR1HT33BT03

[@wr3bit]

It really isn't that hard to do. I did it with my travel tools, in the parking lot of a mexican hostel the last time. heat the racers with a mini torch and work it up with a screwdriver and it'll come out easily...put the newracer in the oven to heat it up and use the old one to push it down... if my memory's right

[@AwesomePlayers]

Did it with a steel rod on my 800 but then we bought the tool and used it on the HP2 and it was so slick to use it actually made it fun. I think we knocked out both top and bottom races in 45 seconds. Plus I'm a bit of a tool hoarder.

[@phillippayne8170]

Man U guys have patients .... I think thats how u spell that sometimes I confuse even my spell check .....anyhow if it was me doing it I think the swearing would be to much for most viewers and I always seem to have far to many bits left over once finished.......great vid guys even though I don't have one of these bikes it was very entertaining......Angry birds Star Wars hahahaha........kind regards Phil from Oz

[@AwesomePlayers]

Hey Phil. I too have watched maintenance videos for bikes I don't own. there was more profanity but edited quite a bit of it out. Cheers. Riley.

[@phillippayne8170]

Cheers Mate you inspired me to attempt my first service on my new to me BMW f650gs 2006 I start with smiles by lunch time I had remove all the screws needed to start first was the oil change then the spark plugs FFFF spark plugs I had the correct spanner but not the top of it man it took some doing but I got them out replaced them then the coolant then reset the handle bars and changed the gear lever for on like u guys have with the folding end spring loaded . All done and no screws left over and all torqued cheers for the inspiration to go it alone. My sanity did come into question at one point but I'm good now kind regards Phil

[@AwesomePlayers]

It helps to have a second set of hands and eyes. Although sometimes for delicate stuff I prefer to be alone so I can really take my time. Botton line for me is I couldn't afford to ride if I had to pay to get my servicing done.

[@fatihinel9154]

Hi awesome players I have gs f650 twin. does it have the same engine and if i follow the things you have done am i on the right path ?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Same engine. Get your hands on the BMW DVD if you can. Check ebay.

[@fatihinel9154]

Awesome Players thanks so much you are doing great job teaching us both riding our bikes and taking good care of them with our own hands

[@XoLoX90]

What model/brand torque wrench is that? I'm in the market for one and that one looks pretty nice.

[@AwesomePlayers]

It is a Snap-On. Got a crazy deal on it otherwise I would be using my cheap clicker.

[@XoLoX90]

Awesome Players Thanks! They are a bit hard to get here since I live in the Netherlands, but I'll try if I can find one used on Ebay or something. If not, regular clicker it is.

[@claytonmetz3116]

You have just cured my want of a f800gs

[@AwesomePlayers]

You do the valves so rarely it isn't a big deal.

[@WoZIMoo]

I agree, I'll stick with Triumph and get a Tiger 800. 3 Cylinders instead of 2 yet there's more room around the engine and less nonsense to remove. You need a special tool just to remove the ignition coils? Sounds pretty dumb to me.

[@JK-nd7ez]

Which software are you using ?

[@AwesomePlayers]

I'm using Avid media Composer but any software would do. Adobe Premiere, Final Cut even iMovie is great on the Mac.

[@MOUNSTROMONCHIS]

i would like to know if you have a mecanics manual

[@AwesomePlayers]

I have the service DVD from BMW.

[@DuaneMoss]

Love you guys. Great vid

[@pilotlang1]

Nice job guys! I had no idea you were that talented, LOL!

[@AwesomePlayers]

Its all in the editing.

[@AMorgan57]

This should qualify you for open heart surgery certification.

[@itsthebike6672]

on most engines, the exhaust clearances are the ones that typically close up over time. If you ignore the valve clearance check, the valve seats get burned and distorted, causing a silent death of your engine.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Probably not totally silent at the end.

[@derrickfelix503]

Like the plug spanner, Cry about the rest! Cheers

[@dejanmeki]

what was current millage ?

[@AwesomePlayers]

20,000 kms.

[@dejanmeki]

@@AwesomePlayers nothing should be touched at that kilometers.

[@utahbones3094]

Tight!

[@AwesomePlayers]

Thanks!

[@OffRoadQC]

Damn.... That looks a bit more involved than what I would want to tackle by myself and I don't have any mechanically inclined friends to help... I think I'll leave it at the dealership and ask them to check them out at the beginning of the season. Although at 27K I think they probably are still within specs... I'm not too worried, but still, it needs to be checked... Just a waste of money, and I hate not being able to do things like that by myself. :(

[@AwesomePlayers]

Not that scary. If you follow the thread on advrider.com it isn't too daunting. Helps if you have someone to double check what you are doing. It would have been a lot more painful if we had to actually change some shims. Plus you would need to go to the dealer and hope he has them in stock. Thankfully it isn't required all that often.

[@OffRoadQC]

Yeah. Thinking about it... It doesn't look too bad if it's just for a check, but still, I hate doing these things alone. And I don't have all the tools, although I'm probably 80% there. BTW, where did you get the BMW maintenance DVD?

[@OffRoadQC]

Hello Riley! I finally decided to do it, and ordered the service manual DVD from eBay this morning. I think I have all the tools necessary except the valve feeler/gauge tool... Any recommandation on that? I'm sure I could get something "official" from the dealer, but I'm pretty certain that a "generic" one will do. Am I right?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Just any old feeler gauges will do. Send us an update on Facebook. Bonne chance.

[@OffRoadQC]

Ok thanks Riley, that's what I thought. And BTW, is the coil remover tool really necessary? It certainly makes things easier.... but do I need it? I don't think so, but just want to check! :) And yess, I will report back for sure! :)

[@johngifford7725]

This gives me a greater appreciation for my 1200. Jeez.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Boxers are truly a breeze. Even swapping a final drive is faster than a chain and sprockets.

[@johngifford7725]

Oh, and thanks for the stickers by the way. One on the 1200, and my kid got one for his DR200. He put it right on the gas tank so he could see it. Lol, will be ordering more due to poor placement, I think.

[@namcojr]

Just awesome Riley, more please! EDIT: No comments since two years ago? Really?

[@AwesomePlayers]

Has it been two years? Wow. I just looked 15,000 people watched this video in 2018. Looks like earned 26$!

[@folxam]

Awesome, gonna check this when I get home from work. I am planning to do the valve check myself in the spring.

[@AwesomePlayers]

Its not too scary. Seems easier somehow than when I did my KLR back in the day. Might just be that I'm a little more comfortable with a wrench than I was.

[@folxam]

Yeah, I did valve adjustment on my Yamaha XT660 myself, no biggie. F800 is also no biggie but a lot more stuff to disassemble!

[@iwannapoop]

Thank you

[@AwesomePlayers]

Glad to help. I'm about to jump in and do the valves on my Husky 701 for the first time. Should be easier. Cheers.