Tapping valves after 500 mile service including valve adjustment on 2008 M50. Didn't do this first 500 miles. Are mechanics being too cautious?

The valve clearance is automatically adjusted be the hydraulic valve lifter. However Yamaha say there are times when the valve clearance needs to be adjusted manually. Basically to balance a pair of valves if they become misaligned (pretty dam rare) as they are operated by the one lifter. (eg Inlet pair has one hydraulic lifter and the Exhaust pair has one hydraulic lifter)

The recommend service / checking interval is 20,000 kms. (12,000miles approx) according to the manual.

I have 15800 miles on my 2008 and after speaking with a Yamaha service technician, he hasn't had one in yet that has required adjusting when he has carried out the 20,000km service. Infact he has had to adjust one as of yet even at 40,000kms.

It is a bit of a pain to do, as a lot of stuff has to be removed and the covers are a little tricky to get off.

Me, I am not going to bother until 24,000miles, as long as you change the oil and filter every 5000 miles my Yamaha guy recon it will be OK.

If you are going to do it yourself, you will need a manual as only one value has an adjuster and the other is a slipper, so they are not as easy to adjust as a pair of standard valves.

Most bikes after so many miles(dont know what that number is for your particular bike)Need a valve adjustment.See how many miles are on bike and find out how many miles you need before you do valve adjustment.the tapping is usally more pronounced when bike idles because of low oil pressure,as long as noise goes away when you rev motor up its just a ajustment.if this noise gets worse then it could be an oil pressure problem.

You can certainly reduce the cost of the check up if you have the skills and knowledge to do some of the work yourself.

Basic jobs like checking and adjusting the fluid levels, tyres, and replacement of lube, filters and spark plugs are all relatively straightforward. Checking the brake discs (US=rotors) & pad wear/replacement is a bit more involved but easy if you know how and have the tools and experience. Many other things though including the service interval reset, emissions check/adjust and engine adjustments have to be done by a correctly equipped garage.

Consider this carefully though as you clearly aren't a qualified motor mechanic so DIY servicing will invalidate your warranty and very significantly reduce the resale value of your Mustang. You can shop around though to see if you can get a better price but $500 for a major 30k mile service on a car like yours seems pretty cheap already.

Sounds about right. Most bilkes need the valves adjusted every 3-4000 miles. 3 hours also sounds right and you can check around to get a better hourly shop rate.

Factory specs suggest initial valve check at 500 miles. This link has some very good instructions, including videos.

Why do you think the valves need adjusted if only 500 miles on the engine? Your bike is fuel injected. Chances are 99.5% that any problems with how the motor starts and runs is the fuel injection system. If the bike was new in 2000, then it has been sitting a Very, Very long time. Gas in the tank evaporates and gums things up. Get the fuel injection system thoroughly cleaned and the problems will probably disappear.

Please rate this solution. Thanks!

they are at 4000 miles, and that's for all service.

Great Bike. Suzuki recommends Oil/air change every 6000Klms.(+-3700 miles)
Suggest you blow out air cleaner every 1000 miles.
No adjustment required on drive (Diff), I change the diff oil every 10,000 klm (6000 miles)
As for the rest, it requires no tuning etc, but will required tapped adjustment At +- 12000klm. I would check yours now (8500 miles). There are manuals available on the net.
Obviously check brakes /tires/ oil levels etc
For the rest, keep it clean and enjoy

Valves are actuated only recently at Moto Guzzi by an overhead camshaft. Shim under bucket design precludes consumer adjustment due to shim kits price/availability. But it can be done! Not sure what the interval is, usually needs it between 12k miles, and 20k miles. If you hear noticeable tapping that doesn't quiet after warmup, it is time to check clearances. Good Luck, and nice bike, by the way. TT