valve clearances :(

[Rik398]

ok guys, I am a student so the work has to wait until next loan (January 9th)

but, my bike was due for valve clearances about 2k miles ago. Now, I can use the bike a little less, but to stop using it is not an option, and there is simply no way I can afford to get the clearnaces checked until next loan.

So, two main questions

1) What happens if you dont check the clearances. It is going to blow up completley or just run a little off for a while

2) It is something I could even begin to consider doing myself?

At the moment the bike is running just as sweetly as it ever has. I am assuming I would start noticing something if they needed done urgently?

Cheers

[Guest Hodgy]

What's the bike, age and mileage?

[lucky]

You dont say what bike, so answers are going to be vague.

But don't worry valve clearances on most bikes hardly ever need adjusting so dont worry.

If you tell us the make and model you may be told how to do it, or if its likely that they need doing.

[Stu]

also your location instead of just uk!!

you could be right next a member who could help you out

[Rik398]

It's a 2004 triumph daytona 600.

Got more or less 18,000 on the clock from memory, and the manual reckons 16,000 for a valve clearance check. I have had it since 6,000 miles.

Was going to sell it on but an accident ment I had to invest a large amount of time, patience, and money into it so its now worth more to me than what I could sell it for so I am planning on running it until it dies really. Plus is relitivley comfortabel for a sports bike and I seem to be able to get power from almost any amount of revs so itl do me

Cheers folks and I shall see what I can do about my location thingy.

[Tango]

This is always a tricky one......if anyone says " you'll be OK for several thousand more miles" and it blows up in a 100 you'd probably be a bit miffed at the advice.

So I'll put myself in your position (but I'll accept no liability for this).....I'd continue running it so long as there is no serious tapping coming from the top of the engine....but I'd be saving hard to get it booked in and done as soon as the money was available. The most likely thing is that some of the clearances are getting a bit large....which would not normally be too detrimental to the running of the bike......it's if the gap closes and you end up with a negative clearance that you can get valves burning and the like...but this would be unusual on an engine with Bucket and Shim adjustment.

Personally I'd do the clearances myself....after all this is just a check and adjust if necessary procedure.....it may be that none of the clearances are out of tolerance.

Good Luck

[eastanglianbiker]

thing is with doing it yourself you have got to work out what the clearances are then order the shims to get it right where as a good dealer should have them on the shelf

[Rik398]

Cheers folks

I guess its hard to tell really becuase being a triumph the engine has always been a little noisy. Old owner was definatley a little OCD as everything had been photographed before and after, every single reciept and everything like that, which is definatley a good thing.

Generally when I drive a tend to keep my revs fairly low, Usually I do no more than 7k revs. I wil ljust have to get it looked at as soon as possible really.

I dont suppose anyone would know the rough price someone would charge for doing this? I'm expecting it to be fairly pricey because I know the shims themselves can cost a fair bit and there must be a fair amount of work envovled in taking everything apart, measuring and fitting the refilling it with oil and all that stuff.

Thanks again.

[Ingah]

Checking the clearances is pretty easy, quick and painless (providing you can do basic maths accurately and have a manual and vernier caliper to measure the shim with). Do it yourself imo. The probability is that it'll be within spec.

If required, changing the shims is harder and more time consuming, and if you cba/are nervous, let a mechanic do it and watch. I'd guess at ~2 hours labour.

IIRC, shims are about £3 each.

[Rik398]

cheers, that is some useful info

I have done a lot of things myself on the bike, oil changes, brake pads, alternator, fairing, a wee bit of welding. But yeah the guy I go to for MOT's is really sound, so I might look at it myself and if it seems out get him to change them.

Cheers.

[Stu]

I've heard they are a right pig to do on these although I've not had the pleasure of working on one!

Valves are easy to check

[Ingah]

I've heard they are a right pig to do on these although I've not had the pleasure of working on one!

Valves are easy to check

I'm "looking forward" to having to do it on my CB500 for this reason. Camshafts out!

[Mawsley]

Downside to doing it yourself is affording the kit. The XJ was pricey enough, I hate to think of the GSX cost.