I've watched videos on how to do it and well it isn't like adjusting the valves on my old Honda prelude lol. Taking the cams out to change the shims terrifies me, this is an interference engine no? So if I reinstalled the cam incorrectly I'd bend the valves i'm trying to adjust? I'm no stranger to turning a wrench but I have never torn into an engine like that. Nor have I used feeler gauges before. I've found some good guides but they are not for my specific bike, usually older or newer models. The service manual isn't very detailed about the disassembly and reassembly, I don't know if i should try only with that as a reference. I fear I could make it worse. The shops I've called wont give me a price estimate, one guy said near $400 but he is booked until June, I really cant spend more than that, not until well into riding season anyway.
I just did this on my F4i a couple of months ago and, like you, I was extremely nervous about it. And, as you mentioned, messing with the cams and timing became my biggest problem. On the plus side, I learned A LOT about what not to do!
Seriously, though, it was a valuable learning experience and I've gained a ton of confidence re: understanding how my bike works. I have no doubt that if you plan it out and take your time, it is very doable... and you save a ton o' cash!
I watched a F4i specific video about 10 times before diving in and used it repeatedly for reference while in the process as well. Found this one for your model -
- but there a few others out there. As he mentions towards the beginning of the vid, zip tying the cam chain to the sprockets can save a lot of worry and fiddling with positioning.
There is no doubt it is a serious process, but the rewards are, imho, well worth it!
