Valve check sheet

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by TonyEmm, Jan 2, 2023.

  1. TonyEmm

    TonyEmm Member

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    Hi,
    Just treating my girl to some winter maintenance. New radiator and silicone hoses, valve clearances to do whilst it’s all in bits.
    I wanted a single page to record all the information and try to make it idiot proof for me so I don’t get lost.
    I searched and couldn’t find what I wanted so thought I’d make my own and share it in the hope it might be useful for someone. My bike is an 04 but you can tweak values if necessary for your model year. I just wanted something I could print off, make notes and save in the maintenance file for future reference.
    Happy new year to you all.
    F1322B31-2679-48A2-BDDE-595573840BFF.jpeg

    I wanted to add some thoughts and observations after doing my own bike recently.

    Be honest with yourself about your own abilities and confidence.
    There is absolutely no shame in admitting it’s out of your comfort zone and entrusting the work to a professional. There’s a world of difference between checking the clearance and actually adjusting them.
    Allow plenty of time to do the work. Double the time you think it will take.
    Are you methodical and organised?
    A well lit area with a good clear worktop to lay parts out where they won’t be touched by anyone is essential.
    Take lots of photos during disassembly and use them when you’re putting it back together, don’t rely on your memory particularly if you’ve had to leave it for any time.
    The spaces available are tiny around the engine and within the frame. If you have large hands it will test your patience.
    How’s your back? You’re bent over the bike a lot.
    Barrier cream. Gloves are pain on this job so protect yourself.

    You must have a low range torque wrench that you have 100% confidence in. Break a bolt on this job and you’re in a world of hurt.
    A decent micrometer will be needed if you find any shims need changing.
    A good quality set of long, angle ended, feeler gauges are a must.

    The throttle bodies do not need to be removed but you will need to get the throttle cables out of the way.
    Do not remove or wind in the CCT just to check the clearances.
    The chain can jump with the slack and then you’ll have a lot more work to do.

    Take your time measuring the clearances and remember if they are in spec leave well alone. It doesn’t matter if they are at either end of the permitted range, in spec is in spec!!!

    The eight inner bolts on the two larger cam holders have washers under them and they aren’t captive, be careful they don’t drop off. This is mentioned in the manual but it’s easy to miss.

    The smaller cam holder on the right hand side has grooves which locate onto the cam shafts, don’t leave it until last or you might struggle to get everything lined up correctly.

    If you have to displace a camshaft to change a shim be extremely careful on reassembly. It is easy to put the timing out and you must make sure everything is back on its marks before proceeding any further.

    None of the above is intended to put you off doing it yourself.
    It’s very satisfying and can save you a lot of money. Good luck.
     
    #1 TonyEmm, Jan 2, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2023
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  2. bladey

    bladey Senior Member

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    I have to admire the many guys on here who do this sort of maintenance. I have no skills in that department and just get shit scared when faced with details like the above. I'm the type who presses the starter and prays everything will just work, if it doesn't I'm in for a bill. Good job we all have different talents, mine seems to be just checking tyre pressures and giving the local service dept profits. :oops:
     
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  3. Blade runner 1

    Blade runner 1 Elite Member

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    That’ll be helpful when I check mine next winter.
     
  4. LowSide76

    LowSide76 Active Member

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    Do Garages supply ypu with a sheet and what the valve values were when you get your valves done. Im getting mine done probably about march time and just wondered
     
  5. Selmer50mark

    Selmer50mark God Like

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    They should do , also ask for the old shims if any have been replaced or tell them to take pictures. If they are honest they won't mind .
    I've heard of some dealerships charge for work not done o_O
    I did mine @16000 miles and 3 exaust shims were out of tolerance, checking is the easy part :D
     
  6. LowSide76

    LowSide76 Active Member

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    Don't say that as I was gping to send it in at 16k miles to my mates garage but he said he's never known any need doing so would wait abit so it will be closer to 19k/20k when mine gets done
     
  7. Selmer50mark

    Selmer50mark God Like

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    How does he know without checking o_O
    Glad I checked mine.
    If you get it done to the schedule and its in tolerance well happy days, if not then you know you did the right thing ;)
    Up to you really
    It's your bike not mine :D
     
  8. LowSide76

    LowSide76 Active Member

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    Yea its getting done ASAP now. Ime on about 18600 miles.
    Just need to save up the £400 for it doing lol
     
  9. NS400R

    NS400R Elite Member

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    C37ED2E1-E4E8-41EB-8297-812E5AF8A79B.jpeg C9E6ADF8-F79B-421C-B33F-AC8554E7E5D2.jpeg Just had mine checked on the ‘17 SP. Bike has done 15k. I stripped the bike which is a pig of a job. I thought clearances were tight but turns out not. ABBA Skylift helps massively
     
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  10. Selmer50mark

    Selmer50mark God Like

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    Hardest job is getting the cam cover back in place, it's a twat of a job on an 07:mad: @dern put a video on the forum of himself putting the cam cover back on his 07, this helped a lot
     
  11. dern

    dern Well-Known Member

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    Video...

    A hot cams shim set and a micrometer would set you back about £100 and you could probably get a load of the money back on the shim kit when you don't want it any more by refilling any you've used a lot of.

    But don't make this your first diy job on a bike :)
     
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  12. NS400R

    NS400R Elite Member

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    Hardest job is changing the shims. I decided that was beyond my pay grade so sent it to a mate that runs a race team. I’d do it on the CBF ( which has RR6 engine) though as there is loads of room
     
  13. Selmer50mark

    Selmer50mark God Like

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    I paid 160 for the 3 shims to be replaced at my local bike garage, didn't fancy forking out for a shim set and micrometer.:rolleyes: Plus he does this sort of work all the time. He said 9 times out wof 10 they are in tolerance at first check.
    I removed the cover from above but tried all ways to place in the same way it came out for what seemed like ages. So off for a brew and a look on the forum and found derns video. Result :)
     
    #13 Selmer50mark, Jan 4, 2023
    Last edited: Jan 4, 2023
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