valve clearances no good. now what?

alright. my wife thinks im crazy but i just like messing with my KZ. plugs inconsistent so im checking things mentioned by people on here that know more than me.

valve clearances arent to spec.

heres my numbers.

intake 1-4 .007,.007,0 clearance,.003

exhaust 1-4 .005,.008,.007,.005

spec is .002-.004

only one is in spec. intake #4

ive never done this before. i was reading the manual and it doesnt seem hard.

whats up with the valve that doesnt have any clearance. seems strange. i checked it then turned it and checked it again to make sure.

do i need to buy the special tool? the valve lifter tool. also were do i get shims at? do the dealers still sell them?

i appreciate any help.

thanx

If it's a KZ900, I believe shims are available. It it was a 750 twin, no shims are available.

Are you sure about the .002 - .004" spec range? The reason I ask is that's the spec for my 750 twin, but I thought the four cyclinder bikes had wider specs because the internals get hotter. I could be wrong but I thought they were supposed to be wider than that.

If the shims are on top, you need the compressor tool to be able to change shims without pulling the cams. If the shims are underneath, tool won't help (the cams have to come off).

yes it is the kz900.

the clymers says .002-.004

the shims are on top. ill have to order the tool. i looked on Z1 and they have everything i need. should of looked on there before i asked. oh well. just have to pay shipping twice because ill have to get the tool, remove old shims then order new shims. oh well.

make the tools yourself.the one is basically a bent screwdriver,the other is a wedge ground into a scrap piece of metal to hold the bucket down yeah i know its only $7.00,but i have a habit of sitting things down only to have them disapear into the abyss a.k.a the barn.hell ive lost track of complete cars and bikes for years at a time! :S :woohoo:

you can buy the shim kit which as a lot of sizes, and my 2 cents, get the OEM tool, seems to work the best for me

wheres your sense of adventure? :woohoo:

asevans wrote:

alright. my wife thinks im crazy but i just like messing with my KZ. plugs inconsistent so im checking things mentioned by people on here that know more than me.

valve clearances arent to spec.

heres my numbers.

intake 1-4 .007,.007,0 clearance,.003

exhaust 1-4 .005,.008,.007,.005

spec is .002-.004

only one is in spec. intake #4

ive never done this before. i was reading the manual and it doesnt seem hard.

whats up with the valve that doesnt have any clearance. seems strange. i checked it then turned it and checked it again to make sure.

do i need to buy the special tool? the valve lifter tool. also were do i get shims at? do the dealers still sell them?

i appreciate any help.

thanx

try swapping the really tight shim for a really loose one from another valve and see what that does for both of them

All the shims are available from Z1E.
www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=KPEN1B

May learn about using the MotionPro tool by typing batwing in the "Search Forum" box and click on Go.

Good Fortune!

thanx for all the advice. i just ordered the OEM tool. i need to keep it as simple as possible. last time i screwed around in here i busted a cam cap bolt.
thanx

PLUMMEN wrote:

wheres your sense of adventure? :woohoo:

This is from the guy who looked like he was 8 mths pregnant, after he had a adventure:ohmy:

asevans wrote:

thanx for all the advice. i just ordered the OEM tool. i need to keep it as simple as possible. last time i screwed around in here i busted a cam cap bolt.
thanx

The trick is to carefully measure and record all clearances. Take all the shims out (keep them in order) and that lets you calculate the shim you need for each. In most cases, you can swap shims around and don't have to buy a shim for every valve out of spec.