Ouch. That hurt,

[Data]

Yeah, valve clearances are easy to check but if adjustment is needed, as you say, the cams must be popped out because it has bucket & shim adjustment. Surprisingly you may think, that's real easy on the 400 even with bucket & shim. The chances of the valves needing adjustment on the 400 at 15k is about 1 in 9. That's what I used to find. That's in contrast to screw & locknut which is about 1 in 5.

[capitano]

I've only ever owned 4 brand new bikes ( plus nearly 100 used ones) and every new one has required valve clearance adjustment at the first major service (6k miles generally.)

I've lost count of the total number of bikes I've had valve clearance adjustments on at an early stage.

So, I still wouldn't fancy my chances, even at 1 in 9!

[Stibbs]

I’ve been doing most servicing myself. All the basic stuff on a burger is relatively easy even for an amateur like me. All the stuff you need to do is on MicBergsma YouTube site. He’s an absolute diamond. Goes through everything you need to do to successfully complete home spannering yourself. Drive belt and new rollers at 15k done myself with his help. Valves were spot on when checked then too. All in all the burger is a fine bike. I’m sure Data will support my case. The secret is to give yourself time to do the work, don’t rush and double check every thing when putting back together so you don’t mess up. Also plenty of fine people on here for ideas and details.

[capitano]

Cheers, Stibbs!

Yep, I'm certain that they are a fine bike. Circumstances and the aforementioned proximity of the big service are the only things that have prevented me being an owner myself in the past.

Incidentally my mate Bill Dog (often on Modern Vespa) has just ridden across the middle of the USA on a 50k mile one, entirely without incident (aside from flattening he battery overnight which was his own fault, not the Burgman's )

It's good to know that working on it is all pretty straightforward, though. Whoever ends up doing it, that's a bonus.

I don't go beyond basic maintenance myself these days, though I understand why others do their own full servicing.

For one, I don't do enough of it these days to regard myself as anywhere near as competent as someone doing it day in, day out, and I don't have access to some of the specialist equipment they do.

For two, I don't particularly enjoy it. I'd rather spend my precious free time riding than spannering.

For three, Being self employed, my hourly rates are above what I pay the independent guys I use for servicing and bigger works. So, me paying them for 4 hours work would cost me less than taking 4 hours off to do the work myself. Plus, 4 hours work for the guys I use would take me 6-8 hours.

For four, they can generally source parts much cheaper than I can, so it isn't even worth me buying parts for them to fit.

[Stibbs]

Capitano, nice one I don’t blame you for letting experts sort it tbf. Enjoy your riding

[Data]

I’ve been doing most servicing myself. All the basic stuff on a burger is relatively easy even for an amateur like me. All the stuff you need to do is on MicBergsma YouTube site. He’s an absolute diamond. Goes through everything you need to do to successfully complete home spannering yourself. Drive belt and new rollers at 15k done myself with his help. Valves were spot on when checked then too. All in all the burger is a fine bike. I’m sure Data will support my case. The secret is to give yourself time to do the work, don’t rush and double check every thing when putting back together so you don’t mess up. Also plenty of fine people on here for ideas and details.

Yes Steve, entirely agree with you.