How bad is it...

[RossW]

to run with poorly adjusted valves?

After almost a full year of work on my 1992 Katana 600 (it was $300 for a reason) I finally got it back together and running fairly well. The only problem is that the valves are quite noisey. I know I need to do a valve adjustment soon, but can I get away with putting it off until winter? Apart from a slightly rough idle it runs fine, but I'm curious if this is the kind of thing that's going to cause lasting damage if I let it go for another ~1k miles?

[Wil]

Pretty sure mine could do with an adjustment too, will be interested to hear the response...

[VifferJim]

Without knowing your bike's history, it's hard to say. But, IMO, doing your valves is something that ought not wait. I left mine go for a season and nothing bad happened. Still wish I had done it sooner. You've got a rough idle? More likely that it's a carb issue than valves.

Be prepared to adjust valves, service your chain tensioner, clean sync your carbs.

[DumbLuck]

given you have screw type adjusters (i dont know) valves are pretty easy to adjust. hardest part is getting everything out of the way (tank, coils, wiring, etc) beware you dont strip the allen nuts and bolts holding the valve cover down. I think there is a pair (one each) hid front and back too. Cyber sells the adjuster tool for like $5, a good investment

[tone]

Difficult to say without knowing the bikes history but from your post i guess you have doubts as to if its been done recently so you should get it done BEFORE you have problems imo

If its a locknut & screw head you risk, scored cams, worn followers, damaged valve seats & at worst bending or dropping a valve by not doing it

Its not to much of a job to do if you have the slightest mechanical knowlage, a few decent tools & a manual, half a days work maybe or call it a day if you do an oil & filter change, gap the plugs & sync the carbs , not worth leaving it imho

[philwecksr]

Heck, mine were in spec at the last service interval and one popped on the Dragon leaving me stranded and f'd for a couple hours. Luckily I had a good 10 people riding with me (thanks guys!!!) who waited for help...

Do them... Now... Its easy...