valve adjustment

[Will1983]

96 600 almost 14k on it im fixing to have to change the valve cover gasket do I need to check valve clearance and is that something I need to check often

[shpielers]

Download the service manual from the wiki, it had a maintenance schedule in it. For a post Kat, I believe valve clearance should be checked every 7,5k miles. Not sure if your pre is the same, but download the manual and it'll tell you. Although if you're replacing the gasket and already have everything off and out of the way, go for it. The actual measuring/adjusting takes me 20-30 minutes now. Getting all the bits and bobs in the way off the bike and them back on again takes another hour and a half - two hours.

[Purplehaze]

Yeah.. I did one of those write-ups in the How-To section...
If you checked there..

[B-Man]

96 600 almost 14k on it im fixing to have to change the valve cover gasket do I need to check valve clearance and is that something I need to check often

http://katriders.com/vb/showthread.php?t=133174

[Will1983]

I looked until I feel asleep, there are so many

[92xjunker]

It is very easy to do, just time consuming. Should be done every 7500 miles. When you set your gap I have found that right in the middle of the range works best.. The manual explains how to do it quite well also. You'll need a valve tool or make one from a square head socket screw and some sort of handle.

[arsenic]

You'll need a valve tool or make one from a square head socket screw and some sort of handle.

No he won't. I'm pretty sure a 1996 600 is shim valves, not screw. Shim valves adjustments are a huge pain in the ass. If you don't first purchase a master set of shims. Pay someone to do it.

[92xjunker]

Ok, good and bad for him, shim adjustments aren't bad if you have what you need, like the shim kits a micrometer and most of all math knowledge. I can bust the whole job out in 1-1.5 hr tops. Though I've done it a few times already. Why can't it just follow a progression, shim type then screw type.... Freakin suzuki. 88- screw. 92 could be either? It all over the place. Some day when I give a shit all learn who has what. I do know 96 is when some changes started to come in, loom, cdi, hand controls, cam chain/cam sprockets

[arsenic]

And the spark plug diameter. the 96-97 600 has the same plugs as the 98-06 600. The 88-95 are different. I'm pretty sure 96-97 600 are still shim valves though. 98-06 are screw valve adjustments. I'm 100% sure of that.

[kat_reflexes]

And the spark plug diameter. the 96-97 600 has the same plugs as the 98-06 600. The 88-95 are different. I'm pretty sure 96-97 600 are still shim valves though. 98-06 are screw valve adjustments. I'm 100% sure of that.

Are the valve cover gaskets the same as well? I'm looking for them online and having trouble finding them for an '02 600.

[92xjunker]

Yes...

[arsenic]

yeah, it's a piece of rubber, it'll work.

[shpielers]

Are the valve cover gaskets the same as well? I'm looking for them online and having trouble finding them for an '02 600.

I ordered one from bikebandit.com maybe 7 months ago for my 06 600 and another for my 92 1100 maybe 4 months ago. Shouldn't be hard to find.

[kat_reflexes]

Thanks fellas, I'm going to check bike bandit.

[rschlegel]

Thanks fellas, I'm going to check bike bandit.

You would probably be ok reusing yours if it is not already messed up. I was worried because the local dealer does not stock it and I did not want to wait any longer. It went fine reusing mine on a 98 600. Just used I tiny bit of non hardening yamabond on the D shaped ends when putting it back together. I am coming up on time to do it again and I will reuse the same one again.