When do valves need adjusting? 1997 600 Kat

[newride]

Can't find this exact question on search.

Not looking for the number of miles I need to adjust at, because I do not know the history of the bike beyond the last owner. will the performance of the bike change or sound differently when the valves need to be done? It runs great now at 19,000 miles. The last owner did nothing to the bike in 4 years he told me.

My old Beemer is easy, it just backfires really loudly and frightens old ladys when it is time to adjust. AH! The only bummer is it has to be adjusted every 1,500 miles.
peace,
Newride

[steves]

Initial adjustment at 600 miles, then every 7500 miles after that. Will it run better? No way to know. Will it help the engine last longer? Definitly.
It's also a good time to go over your bike with a fine tooth comb and look for defective rubber etc that needs replaced.

[newride]

Yeah good advice,
I had my mechanic briefly go over it and he gave it a thumbs up so far.

[steves]

What year is the bike? If it's older than '97 it'll be bucket & shims. If the bike or engine is newer it's tappet style adjusters, and isn't a bad job.

[newride]

its a 97........

[The CyberPoet]

Get in there and check the clearances. You may find it doesn't need to be adjusted... or that it desperately does. I sell the valve tappet adjustment tool for $8 delivered in the USA.
See: http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17251
for maintenance supplies for you Kat.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[steves]

Get in there and check the clearances. You may find it doesn't need to be adjusted... or that it desperately does. I sell the valve tappet adjustment tool for $8 delivered in the USA.
See: http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17251
for maintenance supplies for you Kat.

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

He doesn't have tappet style valves, does he?

[newride]

again, its a 97. I am not even sure yet. I will look in the manual.
Peace,
Newride

[The CyberPoet]

He doesn't have tappet style valves, does he?

Yes, he should. 88 - 90 & 96-06 Kat 600 should have them, and all models of 750's. At least if my memories are right (I'm still waking up).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[steves]

He doesn't have tappet style valves, does he?

Yes, he should. 88 - 90 & 96-06 Kat 600 should have them, and all models of 750's. At least if my memories are right (I'm still waking up).

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

The 96 motor sitting in my garage does not have tappets. It's bucket & shim.

[The CyberPoet]

You 100% sure the engine is actually a 96 model year engine?

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[steves]

You 100% sure the engine is actually a 96 model year engine?

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

No. I know that the plate stamped on the frame says "model year 1996" and I'm pretty sure that the vins match...

[The CyberPoet]

Re: When do valves need adjusting? 1997 600 Kat

It runs great now at 19,000 miles. The last owner did nothing to the bike in 4 years he told me.

See this pic for an example of what happens when you totally ignore valve adjustment intervals:


(taken from this thread: http://www.katriders.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27474 )

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

[newride]

Okay Cyber,
That picture worried me, I will check out the clearances. How many hours of a job is it?
Thanks,
newride

[steves]

Okay Cyber,
That picture worried me, I will check out the clearances. How many hours of a job is it?
Thanks,
newride

I want to say the book quote on the job is like 15 hours or something.... but a lot of that time revolves around removing the bodywork and reinstalling it. With everything apart, and ready to go, I'd say like an hour tops, two if you check everything twice. Two and a half if you have an idiot moment like me and look at the diagram and say "well, which are the intake, and which are the exhaust valves? DUH!