just wanted to have some good idea before it gets here (gets here in a week).

 

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I change my oil and filter after 1-2 hrs. to get rid of all the metal shavings, then again at 10 hrs. Use Honda GN4 (dino) oil for the brake-in period (~10 hrs.), then you can switch to whatever oil you prefer (I like Honda HP4, a synthetic blend without moly).

 

I am also big believer in mototune breakin methods. With 400ex just do not lug the motor during breakin. It pulls well down low but avoid the temptation. Downshift and keep it singing. I also believe you should check the valves at around 10 hours rather than the 20 hours in manual. Before riding at all you need to pull air filter and give it a good dose of good foam filter oil and grease the filter to airbox face. There have been many posts about how the swingarm pivot bolt will sieze up so before very many wet rides or wet washes be sure and pull the swingarm bolt and give the bolt and bearings a healthy coat of greese.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

just ride it, aviod long term high revs for the first few hours but dont worry about it. i changed my oil after 3 hours and then i rode it like normal

 

just ride it's a honda.

 

I thought you weren't supposed to change yoru oil till after ten hours or two full tanks of gas. How do you check your valves?

 

Quote[[How do you check your valves? ]]

You need to get a shop manual. Basically what you do is to remove the ignition side flywheel nut port cover, timing inspection port cover, gas tank, and 4 valve adjust covers. Then rotate engine counterclockwise until top dead center on compression stroke. You know stroke is correct if all 4 valve rocker arms are loose. If all valves not loose then rotate another 360' to get all valves loose. Then adjust with end wrenches, screw driver and feeler gauge. Takes me about one hour. You can get by with cheap fold out feeler gauges but much easier and more accurate to get a good set of Motion Pro feeler gauges just for the 400EX at 0.004" and 0.005". And the great thing is that you will do it much better than any shop because you can take your time and do it correctly. Do the oil and oil filter changes and the air box maint yourself and the 400 never needs to go to the stealership again.

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