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valve adjustment question

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  • valve adjustment question

    So I decided to learn to do the job. After a lot of digging, I have the valve cover off. I've positioned the cam in the correct spots to measure clearance and discovery the valves are too tight. Is that a normal find? The previous owner told me he never had them adjusted so I'm thinking its been a long time since the job was done.
    2004 Honda ST1300
    1999 Katana 750 (sold)

  • #2
    How tight?
    90% of motorcycle forum members do not have a service manual for their bike.

    Originally posted by Badfaerie
    I love how the most ignorant people I have met are the ones that fling the word "ignorant" around like it's an insult, or poo. Maybe they think it means poo
    Originally posted by soulless kaos
    but personaly I dont see a point in a 1000 you can get the same power from a properly tuned 600 with less weight and better handeling.

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    • #3
      Before you touch a single adjuster nut, spin those cams around a few times to get a feel for when they open and close.
      Pick a valve that you think is too tight. Spin the cams and see if that gap gets bigger. If it does, then you don't have the cam markings at the right place.
      Also, look at the marks straight on, so as not to slightly skew them.
      When you check the clearance, try to get the measurement blade (I don't what you call it) at a perfect intersection- if it is going at a slant, you can get a false reading. Might sound silly, but I don't like those all in one measurement thingies at the store; I prefer to use the Motion Pro ones where it the bottom has a nice natural bend to help make for a more accurate measurement.
      While it is possible that all are tight, I think that most of the time, valves on these bikes either get loose or just stay the same. If the bike has never, ever had a valve check, it really is anyone's guess where they'll be.
      On my bike, I have never more than a couple out, at 5000 miles, 13 were within spec, 2 slightly out and one way out. Subsequent inspections showed clearances changing less, last one showed no change at all and it will be a long F-ing time before I check'em again.
      How many miles are on the bike?
      Last edited by DClark; 12-01-2012, 12:56 PM.

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      • #4
        I haven't adjusted anything. I've been spinning the cams taking measurments. The .12mm feeler guage won't fit under the exhaust or the intake. The bike has 62000 km, 12000 km of which, I have put on.
        2004 Honda ST1300
        1999 Katana 750 (sold)

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        • #5
          this may help
          Can't get it to run right? Find a trick to add HP?
          From the first oil change to completely rebuilding the engine,
          this is the place to talk about the heart of the beast!

          Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

          Comment


          • #6
            Measure, spin the motor, then measure again.

            If it's still looking off, then adjust.

            Then spin the motor a few times.... and measure again (just to be sure).

            Repeat as needed until they are within spec.
            -Steve


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            • #7
              I picked up some angled feeler gauges from the Suzuki shop for a more accurate measurment. My adjustment tool doesn't arrive until Monday so I have time to be sure about things.

              so total costs so far: adjustment tool - 34 bucks, feeler gauges - 20 bucks, hex socket set - 29 bucks and gasket - 10 bucks. next valve check: nearly free depending on the gasket.
              Last edited by greentreena; 12-01-2012, 09:56 PM.
              2004 Honda ST1300
              1999 Katana 750 (sold)

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              • #8
                I took the sizes required out of each of my sets of feeler gauges then used a wire tie to hold them in a V shape
                Its easier to get them under both valves at the same time and less chances of them ending up down inside the crank case
                Blood , its in you to give! http://www.blood.ca/

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