Modern Vespa

I've changed the oil and filter on my 2021 GTS Super 300 HPE, as well as the final drive oil. The maintenance schedule in my owners manual does not call for a valve clearance check until around 6k miles, but my Vespa dealer says it's one of the tasks that needs to be performed. Do I need it or not? I don't feel confident enough to do the valve clearance check/adjustment myself. It's just too critical a job and I don't want to screw it up. Thanks!

The constructor knows the bike the best. So if the users manual says 6k miles, then it is 6k miles.

I would follow what the manual says as the maintenance intervals are from the designers and builders of the engine. They probably did a lot of testing to determine maintenance intervals.

So who would know better? The design/build team or the shop mechanic? Not making any slights at shop mechanics.

Works for me. Thanks!

Kind of depends on who's the mechanic and what's the motor?

Scott Fitzgerald is globally recognized as THE guy when it comes to the V-Rod's motor. He had nothing to do with it's development, but continues to keep improving it.

More locally to me, Donny Petersen who recently passed away has written entire books on Harley-Davidson's big twins and is widely respected in the HD community.

I wouldn't just be happy to take either of those mechanic's advice over the manufacturer's, I would feel really lucky to have either of them wrench on my machine.

The thing is, these guys stand out because they're exceptional, and therefore, exceptions... A lot of mechanics are like the office information hoarder, it's hard to really tell how much they do or don't know.

I feel better having my valves checked. It's one of few things I don't bother doing myself.

If your Vespa dealer said a valve check/adjustment is required at the first service, some might suggest that the person who told you this is either (i) misinformed about the vehicles he or she sells, or (ii) dishonest. I am not saying this about your dealer--I am merely pointing out that some might say it.

The reason for that first check at that first approximately 600 miles is to make sure, now that the engine has had some 'break in' that those adjustments are bang on, as that break in might have been enough change that they are not right where they should be, and if there were any flaws in metal that might also show up. That's what the trained crew at MotoEuropa told me with my LXV150IE and they made a very tiny adjustment at that time, and again checked that Liberty and it was right at spec. So, for my $$, I want it done but then I'm female and that's just how I roll.

It is not that hard. If you can adjust points, which I am sure you can, you can adjust the valves. There are plenty of videos on the web that can show you how it is done.

I know how to do it in theory, it's the execution part I'm afraid of….lol. I'm gonna try to check/adjust the valves on my Honda Navi when the first service is due in 300 miles and see how it goes. I'm not as afraid to try doing it on my Honda Navi as I am on my GTS Super. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Practice on the Navi, the GTS is more important

I couldn't agree more! Critical thinking by my definition is given two choices which would lead to the least bad mistake?

If you have the valves adjusted at 600 miles and they are fine your mistake is spending money or time that was not needed.

If you don't have the valves adjusted and they were off a little you have extra wear on the engine shortening it's life as well as diminished performance. The manufacturer really only wants the bike to make it out of warranty with no repairs after that if they have to sell you a new one they don't mind all that much.

How much is it for a valve adjustment? Are you absolutely certain you don't want to learn to do it yourself? No one will be as careful with your bike as you!

Just read that a Kymco DT300i owner did his first valve adjustment.....at 65,000 miles.
I'd bet a Vespa can go 6,000 without grenading.
Especially since the owners manual says it can.
O.Z.

if it's your own time and your own dime, I'd check them. the HPE's are known to eat oil so what does that say about the rest is kinda my thinking.

fwiw, the two that I've had in for 600's were spot on and another one had both exhaust out at hair at 6K

so, if you wanna spend the dough or you're DIY, check at the 1st for peace of mind. otherwise, do it when you get a belt done and consider it a big service.

just keep oil in it. that's the biggest thing.