Valve Clearances Changed after Cleaning Head

Before I put the bike away for the winter I checked my valve clearances and the exhaust were all within spec and the intakes all a bit tight. So I ordered the correct shims, but in the meantime I removed the head and cleaned everything up (combustion chamber and valves).

Now that everything is back together I rechecked them and now one of the exhaust clearances is tight and one of the intakes is still tight. I don't really mind the intake because it could be my fault in ordering the wrong size shim, but I'm wondering about the exhaust one. Would cleaning everything up possibly change the clearance? I guess some carbon could have affected the gap before it was all cleaned up.

No big deal, I'll just get the correct size shims but was wondering if it was common for this to happen?

yep thats why you never order rings/bearings or any major parts before cleaning things up first.

on higher mileage engines it is comman for carbon to build up on the valve face and on the valve seat when you clean it up the you will tighten up the clearances. shouldn't be anything to worry about now if the clearances loosened up i'd be concerned

Thanks guys for the explanation, figured it must have been that. I hate finding something and not knowing the cause.

Loose valve cclearances are noisy, tight clearances burn valves. If I had to choose between loose and tight I'd go with loose. If you have no valvetrain noise but your valve clearances are loose, let it be.

HerrDeacon wrote:

Before I put the bike away for the winter I checked my valve clearances and the exhaust were all within spec and the intakes all a bit tight. So I ordered the correct shims, but in the meantime I removed the head and cleaned everything up (combustion chamber and valves).

Now that everything is back together I rechecked them and now one of the exhaust clearances is tight and one of the intakes is still tight. I don't really mind the intake because it could be my fault in ordering the wrong size shim, but I'm wondering about the exhaust one. Would cleaning everything up possibly change the clearance? I guess some carbon could have affected the gap before it was all cleaned up.

No big deal, I'll just get the correct size shims but was wondering if it was common for this to happen?

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It's because garbage can accumulate on the valve so that it doesn't close fully. Clean that off and the valve setas and he clearance tightens up. Been there, seen that.