Question about checking valve clearance on motorcycles

bukwld · 03-11-2009, 11:13 AM

So I'm somewhat mechanically knowledgable, but have never had my valves checked on my bike. They were checked when I bought the bike from the dealership, but here is my question..

Coming into a new season, I'm over the 16K on my bike and want to do or have the valve clearance checked. I have the manual but am afraid of tearing down my top end to do this. Is this something that is seriously hard and I should pay to have just this done, or is it really that hard and I can ask a fellow member to give me a hand one day doing this and perhaps they can show me how to do it for future references?

Anyone willing to volunteer as well? I provide beer, food, etc..

galenernest · 03-11-2009, 11:18 AM

You should be able to do it on your own. What kind of bike is it? Some bikes use shims, and some are adjustable with a screw. I did my old ninja and it was really easy. You may need to buy a valve cover gasket, but I was able to save mine. From start to finish, it only took about an hour. But if it needs shims, it might take longer and you'll have to order them. The service manual should tell you. But, either way, you don't have to take apart the head, just pop the valve covers off

bukwld · 03-11-2009, 11:20 AM

forgot to mention. its a 2001 Honda CBR 929RR

gixer_racer · 03-11-2009, 11:21 AM

Checking them is relatively easy. Adjusting them if they are shim under bucket (most bikes these days), that can be a bit more involved as you have to pull out the cams, etc. and if you don't get everything back just right you can do some serious damage.

rowlex · 03-11-2009, 11:23 AM

hmmmmmmmmmmmm, if you decide to do this buk, count me in, my valves need checking to.

galenernest · 03-11-2009, 11:29 AM

Honda's need clearance adjustments? Guess it would be worth checking if it's at the interval. My Honda CBR900rr (1993) clearances didn't move a bit even up until I sold it at close to 50k. They built that motor right

wsmc831 · 03-11-2009, 12:44 PM

not uncommon at all for several to be out at the first adjustment, and not need anything further till at least the 50k mile mark.

checking them is easy, adjusting them isn't really hard if you have a couple tools and correct shims.

whether you do it yourself or have it done is up to you, and how much you want to save money and have it done correctly.

bukwld · 03-11-2009, 01:05 PM

im going to stop by a local shop or two after work today and get a quote. All I really want is the Valves checked and I can do the rest myself. I'd rather save money and have them do the hardest thing and from there do the rest myself with what I know how to do. Spark plugs, etc are the items that I know how to do.

reppin505 · 03-14-2009, 07:15 AM

Hey guys,

So whatever happened to this? I have my throttle body pulled off and i'm checking the fuel injectors, but looking at the valves they are really dirty and burned. And i think i see oil down there

Is it supposed to be like that?

It's hard to find any references online, and the manual is not covering this subject very well.

This is a 2005 GSXR 750. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks guys.

reppin505 · 03-14-2009, 11:44 AM

Here's an excellent write up i found. This is a great addition to the manual.

However this is a very scary venture. Looks scary to do, and expensive to pay for.

http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136207

reppin505 · 03-16-2009, 08:33 AM

Does anyone have a feeler guage to check the clearances on my valves that i can borrow? I live in the Renton/Tukwila area.

Thanks.

Borgnine · 03-16-2009, 08:39 AM

buy a feeler gauge---they're only a few bucks and you can use them to check your spark plug gap as well.

To the OP, I suggest getting a Haynes or Clymer manual and familiarizing yourself with your machine. Even if you decide never to adjust the valves, you'll be much more familiar with your bike's inner workings.

bukwld · 03-21-2009, 09:44 PM

I have the manual for the bike as I am the OP. I didn't feel like doing it myself. The local dealership is charging me $500 for a full 16K tune-up on the bike. I'd rather have them do it just in case something stupid happens..

Mithras · 03-21-2009, 09:59 PM

Save your money....enough people on the forum know how to check these things.

I wouldn't worry too much about getting this checked asap, Hondas are usually so well built they don't require tampering at low miles...IMO

schmidts · 03-22-2009, 07:42 AM

most modern sport bike motors generally only use two types of shims. One type requires you to take out the cams in order to replace the shims and some of the older ones don't require cam removal. If there is another type I haven't seen it (this excludes ducati as that is a completely different monster). Checking the valve clearance is very easy and for the most part only involves taking the valve cover off and turning the motor over which can be done with the real wheel in most cases. Feeler gages are cheap don't be afraid to buy one. Use a book to help you (clymer or Haynes).


03-11-2009, 11:13 AM	#1
bukwld Joined: Sep 2007 From: 47.9792° N, 122.2008° W I Ride: the 08 Gixxer 1K that I act like I can ride..	Question about checking valve clearance on motorcycles So I'm somewhat mechanically knowledgable, but have never had my valves checked on my bike. They were checked when I bought the bike from the dealership, but here is my question.. Coming into a new season, I'm over the 16K on my bike and want to do or have the valve clearance checked. I have the manual but am afraid of tearing down my top end to do this. Is this something that is seriously hard and I should pay to have just this done, or is it really that hard and I can ask a fellow member to give me a hand one day doing this and perhaps they can show me how to do it for future references? Anyone willing to volunteer as well? I provide beer, food, etc.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 11:18 AM	#2
galenernest I bathe with candles, flowers, jazz music, and rubber ducky. Joined: Jun 2008 From: Vancouver, but my heart belongs to Beijing Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: in my wet dreams	You should be able to do it on your own. What kind of bike is it? Some bikes use shims, and some are adjustable with a screw. I did my old ninja and it was really easy. You may need to buy a valve cover gasket, but I was able to save mine. From start to finish, it only took about an hour. But if it needs shims, it might take longer and you'll have to order them. The service manual should tell you. But, either way, you don't have to take apart the head, just pop the valve covers off __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 11:20 AM	#3
bukwld Joined: Sep 2007 From: 47.9792° N, 122.2008° W I Ride: the 08 Gixxer 1K that I act like I can ride..	forgot to mention. its a 2001 Honda CBR 929RR __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 11:21 AM	#4
gixer_racer Streetfighter Joined: Jun 2007 From: Covington, WA I Ride: RC51, R6 (track), Ninja250	Checking them is relatively easy. Adjusting them if they are shim under bucket (most bikes these days), that can be a bit more involved as you have to pull out the cams, etc. and if you don't get everything back just right you can do some serious damage. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 11:23 AM	#5
rowlex Novice Racer Joined: Apr 2006 From: seattle I Ride: 1krr	hmmmmmmmmmmmm, if you decide to do this buk, count me in, my valves need checking to. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 11:29 AM	#6
galenernest I bathe with candles, flowers, jazz music, and rubber ducky. Joined: Jun 2008 From: Vancouver, but my heart belongs to Beijing Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: in my wet dreams	Honda's need clearance adjustments? Guess it would be worth checking if it's at the interval. My Honda CBR900rr (1993) clearances didn't move a bit even up until I sold it at close to 50k. They built that motor right __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 12:44 PM	#7
wsmc831 Chicken Strips Joined: Jan 2008 From: Los Gatos I Ride: TL-s, KTM 300, 690 Duke, 530 XCRW, 690 Enduro R	not uncommon at all for several to be out at the first adjustment, and not need anything further till at least the 50k mile mark. checking them is easy, adjusting them isn't really hard if you have a couple tools and correct shims. whether you do it yourself or have it done is up to you, and how much you want to save money and have it done correctly. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-11-2009, 01:05 PM	#8
bukwld Joined: Sep 2007 From: 47.9792° N, 122.2008° W I Ride: the 08 Gixxer 1K that I act like I can ride..	im going to stop by a local shop or two after work today and get a quote. All I really want is the Valves checked and I can do the rest myself. I'd rather save money and have them do the hardest thing and from there do the rest myself with what I know how to do. Spark plugs, etc are the items that I know how to do. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-14-2009, 07:15 AM	#9
reppin505 Endorsed Joined: May 2007 From: Renton I Ride: 05 Gixxer 750	Hey guys, So whatever happened to this? I have my throttle body pulled off and i'm checking the fuel injectors, but looking at the valves they are really dirty and burned. And i think i see oil down there Is it supposed to be like that? It's hard to find any references online, and the manual is not covering this subject very well. This is a 2005 GSXR 750. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks guys. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-14-2009, 11:44 AM	#10
reppin505 Endorsed Joined: May 2007 From: Renton I Ride: 05 Gixxer 750	Here's an excellent write up i found. This is a great addition to the manual. However this is a very scary venture. Looks scary to do, and expensive to pay for. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136207 __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-16-2009, 08:33 AM	#11
reppin505 Endorsed Joined: May 2007 From: Renton I Ride: 05 Gixxer 750	Does anyone have a feeler guage to check the clearances on my valves that i can borrow? I live in the Renton/Tukwila area. Thanks. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-16-2009, 08:39 AM	#12
Borgnine Endorsed Joined: Oct 2008 From: Vancouver BC I Ride: '05 Suzuki GSF650S Bandit	neither a borrower nor a lender be..... buy a feeler gauge---they're only a few bucks and you can use them to check your spark plug gap as well. To the OP, I suggest getting a Haynes or Clymer manual and familiarizing yourself with your machine. Even if you decide never to adjust the valves, you'll be much more familiar with your bike's inner workings. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-21-2009, 09:44 PM	#13
bukwld Joined: Sep 2007 From: 47.9792° N, 122.2008° W I Ride: the 08 Gixxer 1K that I act like I can ride..	I have the manual for the bike as I am the OP. I didn't feel like doing it myself. The local dealership is charging me $500 for a full 16K tune-up on the bike. I'd rather have them do it just in case something stupid happens.. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


03-21-2009, 09:59 PM	#14
Mithras Streetfighter Joined: Apr 2008 From: Silverdale, WA 98383 Blog Entries: 1 I Ride: Yamaha YX600	Save your money....enough people on the forum know how to check these things. I wouldn't worry too much about getting this checked asap, Hondas are usually so well built they don't require tampering at low miles...IMO __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by Mithras; 03-21-2009 at 10:05 PM..


03-22-2009, 07:42 AM	#15
schmidts Endorsed Joined: Dec 2004 From: Sichuan, China I Ride: Moto Guzzi V1100 Breva	for those not in the know most modern sport bike motors generally only use two types of shims. One type requires you to take out the cams in order to replace the shims and some of the older ones don't require cam removal. If there is another type I haven't seen it (this excludes ducati as that is a completely different monster). Checking the valve clearance is very easy and for the most part only involves taking the valve cover off and turning the motor over which can be done with the real wheel in most cases. Feeler gages are cheap don't be afraid to buy one. Use a book to help you (clymer or Haynes). __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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