Valve Clearance; first check.

[Kenneth Webb]

As far as I know, my bike has never had the valves checked until now. The first owner didn't do it as he recalls. Mileage is 3700. Exhausts were at .229 and .203 Intakes were .127 and .102 I elected to adjust just the large clearance exhaust by going from the stock 2.15 shim to a 2.20. That should have taken the clearance down to around .180, but checking, I could still get my .203 feeler in there. I guess there is some simple math there as the feelers and the shims don't match up in their steps. At any rate, my exhausts are slightly on the big side now, but close together. Intakes are both in spec, but one is close to minimum. Increasing the clearance on that one would have put me out of spec on the big side. I generally prefer to be big rather than tight. Will button up the head tomorrow when I have some daylight to wrestle with the valve cover.

Getting the valve cover off was the most difficult part as the gasket wanted to stay on the cover. I pulled the shims out with my little magnet, and put them in with a bit of grease on my finger tip. It's tight in there! SilverBullet helped with advice on how to remove the clip spacer on the cam followers. Thanks!

 

[bpowa]

the valve cover is easy to take off. if you take the radiator hose and radiator off. it sucks. if only if there was another inch of clearance. i put a scratch to my shiny valve cover and folded a couple of my radiator fins. next check imma take everything appart because my exhaust valve was a bit loose

 

[CJBROWN]

If you just remove the rad fasteners there is enough play to move them forward to get the cover off. No draining or hose removal required.

In my experience the shim clearance enlarges with a hot motor. I've had a tech tell me it gets tighter, but when my motor is really hot after a long run you can hear the valves ticking. As long as they are within the range you're good. And yeah, the shims are in .05mm increments.

My local indy will trade them out for me no charge. They are the same as the honda ones, suzuki too I think. Last time he was out of the size I needed so I had to drive 30 miles and pay $7.50 for a shim.

 

[jtemple]

I bought a HotCams shim kit from Halls, so I have pretty much every shim I'll ever need on hand.

When I swap mine out, I measure the one I pull out and the one I'm putting in, with a caliper. I don't pay much attention to the numbers on the shims.

 

[Kenneth Webb]

I bought a HotCams shim kit from Halls, so I have pretty much every shim I'll ever need on hand.

When I swap mine out, I measure the one I pull out and the one I'm putting in, with a caliper. I don't pay much attention to the numbers on the shims.

Bought the HotCams kit too, and did find some variance in results versus the "calculated" expected clearance. Can't quite explain it, but I should be good to go. At least both exhausts are about the same, if a bit big. Clearances should decrease if the valve or seat deteriorate, but if there are any deposits, things will tighten up. This summer after my two major trips I'll open it up and check to see what happened. Fingers crossed that there are no issues with clutch bushing, springs, washers, etc. The Husky is a blast, but it's not a gas it and forget about it (almost) bike like the WRR. Everyone should have at least one piece of exotic machinery around.

 

[CJBROWN]

Hmmm...the 'numbers' on the shims are the sizes. Usually it should take the next size up or down if there's room for a change. Too tight is too not quite right.

There shouldn't be any deposits in the valve train.

Exotic machinery? Thinking of replacing the Verys with something bigger for two up, so test rode a Super Tenere. It's a 'maybe'. Took wifey to Ducati of Newport Beach yesterday to check out the Multistrada. She liked the new titanium matt-finish 'S Tour' model. 150HP, 425lbs. OMG!
The tour has heated grips, Olins electronic adjustable suspension, center stand, and panniers.
Twenty grand though...OUCH!

The big GS is another possibility.

 

[Kenneth Webb]

Hmmm...the 'numbers' on the shims are the sizes. Usually it should take the next size up or down if there's room for a change. Too tight is too not quite right.

The big GS is another possibility.

I went up one size, .05mm, but the result was clearance larger than it should have been. Double checked my math; a head scratcher. I probably made the same error twice, but regrdless, the final clearance was OK.

I think a 1200GS would be nice to have, and there is a lot of country you could cover on that. I attended the BMW off road course in SC and rode one there. Wet, pretty muddy, and I was surprised at what could be done on the GS with little experience. They use TKC 80's and at the slow speeds we used in the slop, there was not a lot of problem. A little slippery in the greasy mud vs. what it would have been like on real knobbies, but one wouldn't spend a lot of time in those conditions on a big GS by choice. The ability to cover a lot of gound fast on pavement and gravel, and still hit some easy two track would be nice. Do I need a fourth motorcycle?????

 

[CJBROWN]

As sexy and thrilling as the MTS is I think a GS would be a better fit. Decisions decisions...

 

[Russ]

As sexy and thrilling as the MTS is I think a GS would be a better fit. Decisions decisions...

Would you consider the big KTM twins? If not why? I'd have thought they'd be far more capable off road than a big GS (more ground clearance, lighter & narrower) & still be more than adequate on. A mate of mine had one & loved it. Said it had heaps of grunt & still misses it.

 

[CJBROWN]

I imagine I'd like a 990 better than a GS or S10, however there are so many problems with these bikes that I've shied away. Fuel pump, voltage regulators, all kinds of electrical issues. There are plenty of them around and owners seem happy, so maybe consider again. I'm a big KTM fan from before they were KTM's, so not unfamiliar. I have a 250 4T in the garage for a trailbike. They are generally pretty finicky machines.

Sorry for the thread-jack.