An Open and Closed Topic

[Bogdan]

I've done numerous valve lash adjustments on my airhead but this was the fist time I've experienced this task on an oil head. I was fortunate to be mentored by someone who'd been down this road many times as there are specific wrinkles to this procedure unique to the oilhead engines. Two exhaust valves were a bit tight everything else was ever-so-slightly loose. We used the set of four gauges I ordered from Beemer Boneyard.

Some questions: It seems that everyone goes by their take/feel on what these particular gauges show. Does anyone adjust to the widest permissible gap as I used to do with my airhead ?

The owners and Haynes manuals tell us the check every 12k miles; is that enough ? How long have your valves stayed in spec ?

I've long heard that hard riding/high revs close the gap and lugging the engine open the gap. Is this true ?

[peels]

ive done mine 3 times. every other year. and Ive found them to be within spec every time.

[AZBMWRIDER]

I just performed a valve clearance check on my '02 R two weeks ago .
I did my first check at 15,000 miles .
This latest check was done at 63,000 miles .
One exhaust valve closed up .003 in, one intake valve closed up .002 inches .
I had planned to do this every 15,000 miles, forgot about it, the bike has needed so little maintenance, just slipped my mind .
What prompted me to do this, was spark plugs on sale at O'Reilly's auto parts, Bosch platinum plugs for $1.99 each .
Checked my maintenance record about when I last changed the plugs, it was at 15,000 miles when I did the valve clearance check .

[kirby]

I've done numerous valve lash adjustments on my airhead but this was the fist time I've experienced this task on an oil head. I was fortunate to be mentored by someone who'd been down this road many times as there are specific wrinkles to this procedure unique to the oilhead engines. Two exhaust valves were a bit tight everything else was ever-so-slightly loose. We used the set of four gauges I ordered from Beemer Boneyard.

Some questions: It seems that everyone goes by their take/feel on what these particular gauges show. Does anyone adjust to the widest permissible gap as I used to do with my airhead ?

The owners and Haynes manuals tell us the check every 12k miles; is that enough ? How long have your valves stayed in spec ?

I've long heard that hard riding/high revs close the gap and lugging the engine open the gap. Is this true ?

You can always run them a little loose (.001/.002, loose) without problems to the engine. They might rattle a bit more. I ware ear plugs and can't hear them anyway.

I have always set my rockster to a "loose" spec. and my Austin Healy to a tight spec, meaning as long as you can get the proper clearance gauge into the space, even with a bit of force, your good.

The performance difference between loose and tight is negligible. (within reason, see above). So why worry about it?

[towerworker]

I like that Singer sewing machine sound anyway.......

[Bogdan]

I've never noticed a performance difference based on where the valves are set - then again, I ride not race.

I've never had the gaps open up..just close, on any motorcycle I've owned - including my Suzuki Water Buffalo. ( That was an attempt at humor. ) Anyway....on my airhead I would set them at the widest allowable, thinking they would stay in spec longer. One person on this thread sets them loose but he did't give a reason.

FWIW I like the sound of the 1150 valve train. I had a choice between a stock muffler and a louder after market when buying the bike. Glad I chose quiet - don't want to upstage the valves

[kirby]

A little loose 'cause the most probable (assuming you tighten the nuts properly)movement of the clearance on the engine (especially air cooled) is to close up due to seat ware.
On a liquid cooled engine a bit less of a chance.
So it gives you a little insurance you don't burn a valve/seat between checks. After the first couple of checks(since new) then the time (mileage) intervals can be safely increased. I use about double but how you ride is an important factor, like after a track day or a hard charging X country trip in summer.
that's why.

[gregor]

Known officially as the LeMans in America, the Suzuki GT750 somehow gathered the nickname of the Water Buffalo in the States and a variety of nicknames in other countries. In Britain it was known as the "Kettle," while "Waterbottle" stuck in Australia. Regardless of what you called it and where you lived, it was certainly unexpected.

So Towerworker, another bike that needs the antifreeze topping up.