Valves in NOVA

[Davesax36]

Does anyone have a place they trust to do their valves in the DC area? I'm sure I could go to Romney, but I'm thinking I'd like to do it myself or at least a little more local. I don't have a service manual (yet), or really know where to get shims, but I'm good at working on bikes and following instructions.

Here's the story. I picked up my '14 in Houston on Tuesday night. During the conversation about things he'd worked on, the PO said, "I never checked the valves." It's got 38,000 miles on it!! Good guy, and I'm sure we'll meet up again at some point, but just skipping the valve check isn't something I'd do. I rode it back here to Arlington, VA so it's got about 40,000 miles on it now. I want to get this done SOON so I can at least stop worrying. I'll look for and buy the shims, manual, and whatever else is needed. Is there anyone who wants to help me or point me in a direction so I can get this done? Where are you buying shims?

Any other info is appreciated. I'll post other threads with my other questions about stuff.

Thanks, guys.

 

[PachmanP]

you ever find anywhere? I asked a similar question on ADVrider for my 600 mi service. It was suggested going to Romney despite Colman being super convinient....

 

[Davesax36]

I went to Romney. I will not take my bike to Coleman PS for anything unless it's a tire and an emergency. Even then, I'll probably just get some zip ties and do it here at the house.

 

[Davesax36]

I think I replied to your thread over on advrider, too. Depending on how soon you get to 600 miles, I'd be happy to ride out there with you. Or we could get some guys together and just do the service. It's not that big a deal unless I forgot some major part.

 

[PachmanP]

Ah thanks. Next step is to get closer to 600 mi... I need to check the maintenance schedule. If it's oil/oil + inspections maybe Ill just do it, and from the sounds of things it might not be too big a deal to go out there. May still take you up on the ride though at some point.

 

[Davesax36]

I ride around the city at night all the time. Message me if you ever want to go/meet/whatever.

 

[Checkswrecks]

+1 or for lunch. I'm usually at L'Enfant Plaza Tues-Thurs

 

[sail2xxs]

I haven't found any shops in NOVA or Maryland that I am comfortable with. Romney is an excellent choice, and well worth the ride. Equally good is TriCounty Honda just down the road from Romney in Petersburg WV.

Best,

Chris

 

[nondairycreamer]

I used to work at Pete's Cycle on Bel Air Road about half a mile south of the beltway in Baltimore. We had some very good techs and got a lot of traffic from in the service center from customers who had bought their bikes at the other big dealers in the area. Our techs had a very good reputation. We resurrected older bikes, did a lot of crash repairs, very invasive surgery, major modifications to new bikes when the owner could afford the bling, etc. The last I heard one of the techs became the service manager, another went to Florida to teach in the Honda school. One of the most meticulous should still be there, maybe close to retirement but worth a try. I'd rather not publicly post names for their own privacy but email or pm me if you wish.

 

[mayassa]

http://www.valleycyclecenter.com/ is pretty solid and honest.