Valve Adjusting

[Sean]

Let me ask the pro's a question (if you've never done this, no need to post up in this thread). How hard is it to do a valve adjustment?

I'm a competent guy, but no master of mechanics/engines. I usually do most of my own work and the bike has yet to fall apart, but this seems to intimidate me a little. Plus, I'm in an area where I don't know the mechanics yet. I'm pretty sure I either have the tools, or can gain access to them fairly easily.

I do have a step by step tutorial (link here) but I just want to make sure that I can't fuck things up to critically. Should I go for it? Is it possible for me to complete?

tia

[spideyrdr]

It's doable on most bikes without any super powers involved. It depends on the bike as far as what crazy stuff you have to do (some you have to drop the motor, some lower the radiator, etc.) but at the end of the day the adjustment itself is about 3-4x harder than replacing spark plugs. It's not EASY but definitely should be something you can do if your particular bike doesn't require voodoo. Just make sure you have a torque wrench since you don't want to be guessing on torque for things like camshaft bolts; a feeler gauge; if your valves are shim-under-bucket (quite likely) a micrometer to check what size shims you have; and you need either a set of shims, you need a shop that will allow you to swap shims, or you need to be really lucky and be able to swap one that's too big with one that's too small on your own motor. Those are some of your non-standard items, there could be more.

If your wrenching skills are fair to moderate, it's probably a 4 to 8 hour job. It's one of those where you'll probably learn a lot about your motor, a lot about yourself, and probably a colorful swear or two. In the end, I'd mark it as a good thing to be able to do when there is not much else going on for a weekend.

[TinkerinWstuff]

yours is gear driven cams with shim under bucket. It's the easiest in my opinion.

but getting to the cams on your bike is a job.

I'd recommend buying beer and having someone who has done a valve adjustment before come help you.

[Penadam]

That's a solid tutorial, you shouldn't have any problems if you just go slowly. I think it took me around 2 days when I did it the first time. Additionally, a service manual is always a good thing to reference.

The most annoying part for me was getting the cam carrier torqued back down properly and getting the automatic cam chain tensioner back on. It was on a I-4 with a 1 piece carrier which had 20+ bolts that all had to be tightened in sequence. The ACCT required a little tool to hold it retracted that I didn't have, so there was some playing required to get things in.

[TinkerinWstuff]

The most annoying part for me was getting the cam carrier torqued back down properly and getting the automatic cam chain tensioner back on. It was on a I-4 with a 1 piece carrier which had 20+ bolts that all had to be tightened in sequence. The ACCT required a little tool to hold it retracted that I didn't have, so there was some playing required to get things in.

Just to be clear - that KTM is gear driven cams with no such bullshit to deal with. There is a chain on the bike but it drives that intermediate gear and not over the cams directly. Pretty awesome setup.

[Penadam]

Just to be clear - that KTM is gear driven cams with no such bullshit to deal with. There is a chain on the bike but it drives that intermediate gear and not over the cams directly. Pretty awesome setup.

I know, just relating my personal pain.

[Fumet5uNo]

Only valves I have done was on desmoquatro all and all really easy have a girl with small hands really helped

[gsxridiot]

get a manuel and read that section a few times
get yourself a shim kit ($70-90)
get your garage ready
allow yourself more than one day to do it-rushing causes so many other issues
get a nice rag or two to block any passages down into the lower cc, a shim down the cam chain tunnel will bum you out!
also, check on a brand specific forum(how dare!) and search the proceedure, the gixxer website had a couple of videos a few of the guys took that really helped
look into getting an accurate, low torque, torque wrench to re-install the cam journels-maybe even an inch/pound wrench, its only 7ft/lb on my gixxer
you can do it

[Sean]

Cool! Thanks for the input guys.

The bike is already mostly apart, I've been cleaning it up and adding bits and pieces since it's still kind of cold out. It shouldn't be too much more work to get to the valves. Thanks again for all of the tips. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'd recommend buying beer and having someone who has done a valve adjustment before come help you.

I'm kicking myself in the ass for not doing it when I was in a 5 mile radius of Ed (Geek).

[Hibs]

They're not difficult, just a little time consuming. Take your time, make sure you label everything, and double check all your measurements.

I just finished doing two of them. One on a '03 ZX12R and one on my '00 ZX12R. Both were a piece of cake....



My before measurements...



and after changing shims...

[The_Jackel]

Also a good extra trick is when your ready to remove the cams, you'll have TDC and your cam sprockets lined up etc. Clean an area on both sprockets and chain/drive gear. Use white out to mark a matching spot on both areas for both sprockets. Then take a pic. You can then use this as "insurance" and a extra reference point upon re-assembly. It also saves time and a provides lot less of "Did I line that up correctly?" of course always triple check timing via service manual and factory marks.

Also triple check valve clearance and timing once the job is complete and after you have rotated the motor over several times. (To not confuse you, just remember your white out marks wont line back up after rotating the motor, this is why you triple check using the factory timing marks)

[FZRguy]

The only thing I would add is don’t try to do this outside. You need a warm garage or equivalent. I’ve done my valves and built two motors in my living room.

[Radek]

how much money this valve adjustment will cost on twin bike and what is the best place to take it in for $ ?