Adjust valve clearance on 550 when it's 10.5mm

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Adjust valve clearance on 550 when it's 10.5mm

02 Aug 2026 18:34 - 02 Aug 2026 18:41
#926427
Typo'd the subject on this, it should be .105mm. Nearing completion on the project GPz 550 that's taken way too long, and I decided to double check the valves on it today. Everything is perfectly in spec except for the intake valve on cylinder one, which is over .10mm but under .13mm. I tried to stack the feelers to check if it was .11 or .12, but they were too floppy to actually get under the lobe. I'm gonna run out and grab another gauge set tomorrow and recheck, but if the results are under .11 I should probably just go ahead and adjust that valve right, I would prefer at least .002 of clearance anyway. There is also a little voice in the back of my head telling me while I'm in there to adjust the other intake valves if I do that but I don't think that's necessary.
1982 GPz 550
1983 Kz440
Last edit: 02 Aug 2026 18:41 by Coughing_Fish.

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Re: Adjust valve clearance on 550 when it's 10.5mm

03 Aug 2026 20:44
#926448
I always adjust to .006" (0.15mm) if possible as they always seem to close up. I avoid adjusting to .004" (0.10mm) because that's generally too tight, would rather have up to .008" and it close up a few thou than too tight and have a low compression.
1978 KZ650B2 w 1197cc Z1 engine
1977 KZ650B1 w 750cc Spectre engine
1979 KZ650C3 w 831cc Hot Rod engine
1978 KZ650C2 w 762cc DFI project
1977 KZ650C1 stock restoration project
1978 KZ650B2 modified project


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Re: Adjust valve clearance on 550 when it's 10.5mm

04 Aug 2026 18:28 - 04 Aug 2026 18:28
#926481
Thanks! That's what I've decided to shoot for, pulled the cams today and went out and grabbed a new shim from the local parts place (the one in there was a 2.75 so it's probably hasn't been changed in a while), gonna leave the number 3 valve at .13 and order new shims for next time I do valves, all that's left to do is button the bike up.
1982 GPz 550
1983 Kz440
Last edit: 04 Aug 2026 18:28 by Coughing_Fish.

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