Valve clearances question...

Here's what I have for valve clearance on my 750 twin:

Left exhaust:.102mm Right exhaust:.076mm
Left intake:.064mm Right intake:.076mm

What do you think?
Should I re-shim (one or any/more)?
They're all pretty much in range according to my manual (.05~.10mm).

My big question: Do you think the left side is affected by a large clearance for exhaust but tight for intake?

Thanks in advance for tips, advice, etc...

Post edited by: Biquetoast, at: 2006/07/16 10:48

I think the clearances you have listed are fine, and there will be no noticable difference power wise by changing any of them.

Post edited by: steell, at: 2006/07/15 17:58

steell wrote:

I think the clearances you have listed are fine, and there will be no noticable difference power wise by changing any of them.

Interesting, thanks.

I should mention that the reason I checked them in the first place (besides the fact that I never had before), was that they make no noise whatsoever (unlike my other twin), and the engine idles less smoothly after about 45 minutes of my commute or in stop-stop traffic. I thought that fit the description of tight (or no) clearance.

Hmm...

Post edited by: Biquetoast, at: 2006/07/15 18:07

BT: As Steve mentioned, the clearances are fine. The clearances are supposed to be checked cold and while the clearances close up some when the bike warms, the spec takes that into account.

While you have it aprt you might as well do the left exhaust. I would just to feel I got something done for the day!

donthekawguy wrote:

While you have it aprt you might as well do the left exhaust. I would just to feel I got something done for the day!

You know, that's where I'm at with this. I just gotta believe that I should do something about the left side, intake is a bit tight, exhaust is a bit wide...

Anyway, I ordered the shim tool from z1enterprises, and I want to see what shims are *in* there, etc., and I'll make the call then... In the meantime, I'm riding the other bike...

Biquetoast wrote:

Here's what I have for valve clearance on my 750 twin:

Left exhaust:.102mm Right exhaust:.076mm
Left intake:.064mm Right intake:.076mm

Is it wrong to post for my own benefit? I'm posting so I can keep track of it...

Here are the shim sizes after checking:
Left exhaust:2.65mm Right exhaust:2.70mm
Left intake:2.45mm Right intake:2.56mm

I'm following up on this thread just for history's sake, in case anyone ever searches and finds this and wonders....

I changed my L-intake shim TO a 2.40, FROM a 2.45 (giving about 11ish clearance), and I know you guys are going to think I'm crazy, but it runs waaay better when warm now. It shouldn't have needed more clearance, but it sure helped.

I've been riding it for a week now. The only change I made was the shim, and then I went on a week's holiday. I came back, and I have ridden it to work all week and now, 45 minutes into the commute, it doesn't idle strangely anymore.

I kinda wonder if I somehow mis-read the clearances, though I can't imagine how I could have....

Oh well, I think I'll tear it apart again in the fall, re-measure, and just buy the next set of shims just to have... for the future... since they are getting more rare...

Oh, and just one more note to say that the $8 shim tool from Z1enterprises.com works very well, though it's requires a bit of muscle on the ones with tight clearance. The wide clearance one let me slide the tool in easily, the tight one required quite a bit of force. Not so much that it can't be done, and not so much as to make me want the expensive one...



Post edited by: Biquetoast, at: 2006/08/18 10:16

Did you actually measure the shims? Were you able to clearly read the number on the shim?...I had to measure mine to be able to properly interpret the number on the shim...what I saw initially was different (faded numbers) than the actual measurement:unsure:

Mcdroid wrote:

Did you actually measure the shims?

Nope!

Were you able to clearly read the number on the shim?

Yep!

...I had to measure mine to be able to properly interpret the number on the shim...what I saw initially was different (faded numbers) than the actual measurement:unsure:

I can understand that. Mine were all number-face-down fortunately, and only one was a bit faded, but still pretty easy to read.
One was an "odd" size. The dealership told me that the 256 shim I have is an "aftermarket" shim, since Kaw only made them in increments of 005.

It is not uncommon to have a new mismarked shim. I got one that was 2 sizes too big, right from a clearly labeled Kawasaki package, with the wrong size etched on the shim. I think it was a 250 marked as 240

Yeah, taking those readings can take a few attempts to get it right. It's not too hard to push a thicker gauge in the gap, when the true gap is not that wide. Once I've gone through the hassle to get in there (and remove the cams on the 550) I just do them all. Then I know I don't have to mess with it for a few years.

When I do it, the worst part is cleaning the valve cover gasket. To make it easier, later, I put a thin layer of anti-sieze on the gasket. Then it comes off like new the next time. I still use a little silicone on the cam end plugs. If the cover leaks, then the anti-sieze may not be a good idea, but I've been lucky... never had a leaky cover yet.

Also, be sure to get the excess silicone out of the valve cover bolt holes. I've seen people strip the holes because there was some silicone in the hole. Obviously, the silicone won't compress much, and it's slippery, so it ends up easy to strip.