Average time for vavle clearance check is around 18-20k. The reason for it is, over time, the lobe/buckets wear and your valves don't open as far or as long. This leads to a drop in fuel milage and engine efficiancy. It CAN be ignored for a while, especially if you are not running in the high RPM band constantly. That said, yes, it is something that should be considered an nessasary evil of owning a motorcycle. I, personally, wouldn't recommend going more than 30k without checking/ adjusting the run-out.

2 1/2 hour quote is NOT out of line with the time required to do the job (by an expert mechanic, figure a LOT longer, if you aren't!). Don't forget, the fairing has to be pulled and replaced, to even get to the engine.

Side note, 14 shims replaced!? Does that bike have a 4 valve head? Other-wise, 2 valves/ cylinder equals 8 shims by my count!

Ern

 

F4i's have 16 valves