hey i just got my recon a few weeks ago and put like one tank of gas through it, after the next tank i wanna do the 1st service myself bc i dont have $$$$ the dealer says it may need a valve adjust ment (150 with labor) is it needed how do i know if i need one?

 

You won't know if it needs it until you acually take it apart and measure the play. It is no big deal, very easy to do.

 

what happens if it needs one, but i dont do it. will i loose power or break something?

 

Hello Roscoe, IN my opinion its just a rip-off to get more money out of you. I am an automotive repair shop owner and have been for 30 years. I build custom harley strokers on the side for a hobby and raced motocross for years when i was younger. i have bought three atvs this year. one was a year old rancher 350, the other two i bought new in the last couple of months. I checked the clearance on all three after breaking in of the new ones..None including the year old one needed any valve adjustment. They were all three in the .005 clearance as suggested by honda..Keep your oil changed, air filter clean, and have fun! Thats probably all you will ever need to do, especially with a Honda Product..They are tuff!

 

Check ebay for a service manual and do it yourself. You're probably OK for now but don't wait too long. Honda valves tighten over time and will cause hard starting, poor perfprmance, and damage if left unchecked.

 

The valve check for the first time, should be done. But its very easy to do yourself. The reason why the first one is important, is because the factory work needs to be double checked. If the valves are too tight, the valves will stay slightly open when they are supposed to be closed. This could 'burn ' a valve. If the clearance is too big, then there will be more noise and wear on the valvetrain.
Heres an article on a generic valve adjust, read it over and see if its something you would want to do. valve adjust