First Valve Clearance Check

**Ottawa919** · 10-02-2011, 06:14 AM

I'm coming up on my first valve clearance inspection and I'm seriously wondering if I need to bother since it appears that typically no adjustment is needed.

Did you have to make any adjustments on your first check? I'm going to put up a poll.

Ferris Bueller · 10-02-2011, 07:54 AM

checked mine at 25k and didnt need anything... now im at 51k and gonna check this winter

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 08:29 AM

It's one of those peace of mind things.

I've never heard of anyone checking at 16K and having to adjust.

There's a great writeup on this forum on how to check them yourself.
You could change the plugs since it will be around that time and check the valves while under the tank just for the sake of checking them.

**Ottawa919** · 10-02-2011, 09:40 AM

I like tinkering and I'm likely going to change the plugs, so I will likely do the check anyway.

My hesitation is that in order to avoid potential downtime I would order a shim kit and I don't really want to spend $80 right now if I don't need to.

**07919Dave** · 10-02-2011, 09:48 AM

Aren't you coming up on the winter? So wouldn't down time not be a problem? Where are you going to get a shim kit at?

**Ottawa919** · 10-02-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07919Dave View Post

Aren't you coming up on the winter? So wouldn't down time not be a problem? Where are you going to get a shim kit at?

Unfortunately yes....

My garage isn't heated, so the bike get's winterized and under a cover and I don't see it again until late March.

I probably won't roll over 16k until the spring unless we get a great fall. I guess I'm planning ahead.

For shims, I was just considering a kit like this one:

HONDA CB919 HOT CAM CAMS VALVE SHIM KIT CB 919 02-04 | eBay

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 10:04 AM

While I know its a risk of having more down time. I highly doubt you'll need to adjust anything. So do you really need the shims........

Ferris Bueller · 10-02-2011, 10:05 AM

you wont need shims...

**Ottawa919** · 10-02-2011, 10:10 AM

OK, if I get downtime in the spring after a long, depressing, winter hibernation then I will be blaming you two, lol.

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 10:12 AM

At the risk of learning something new today.

I would assume there would be a standard shim set that works with most engines. Do you really need to buy different shims for different bikes? Any reason someone would buy 919 shims like what is in that ebay listing?

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawa919 View Post

OK, if I get downtime in the spring after a long, depressing, winter hibernation then I will be blaming you two, lol.

Simple fix, just buy a 2nd 919.

**07919Dave** · 10-02-2011, 10:18 AM

Just do it on the first day you take it out of it hibernation. That way it's really like it under it for another day. I am sure you can wake up in the morning spend a few hours with it and then go ride when you are done. No extra downtime needed.

**07919Dave** · 10-02-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffie7 View Post

Simple fix, just buy a 2nd 919.

Insert Toast here trying to make you buy his for $4500.

**Ottawa919** · 10-02-2011, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffie7 View Post

At the risk of learning something new today.

I would assume there would be a standard shim set that works with most engines. Do you really need to buy different shims for different bikes? Any reason someone would buy 919 shims like what is in that ebay listing?

Good question. The way I looked at it is that I will have the bike for a long time (probably) and $80 is pretty reasonable when you think of how much coin I save doing the checks myself versus at a shop.

I never looked into whether my dealer sells shims individually. If so, that may be a cheaper option.

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawa919 View Post

Good question. The way I looked at it is that I will have the bike for a long time (probably) and $80 is pretty reasonable when you think of how much coin I save doing the checks myself versus at a shop.

I never looked into whether my dealer sells shims individually. If so, that may be a cheaper option.

I'm thinking a basic shim kit not made for any bike could be a lot cheaper then one marketed for a set bike.

Dealerships might sell the shims but I bet they're the same as crush washers. Meaning, 3000% markup.

But if you just need one.... $5 is a lot better then $80 IF its even needed.

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07919Dave View Post

Insert Toast here trying to make you buy his for $4500.

dark or light, how do you like your toast?

mntnceguy · 10-02-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawa919 View Post

I never looked into whether my dealer sells shims individually. If so, that may be a cheaper option.

Usually, if you needed a shim, just take the one you have to the dealer, and they will just exchange it for the one you need, for free. So go ahead and do you checks, if you find you are in need of a different thickness shim, just go exchange it, talk to one of the techs in the back, not the sales guys...

jeffie7 · 10-02-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntnceguy View Post

Usually, if you needed a shim, just take the one you have to the dealer, and they will just exchange it for the one you need, for free. So go ahead and do you checks, if you find you are in need of a different thickness shim, just go exchange it, talk to one of the techs in the back, not the sales guys...

Good tip!

mrhonda1987 · 10-02-2011, 01:27 PM

Wasn't there a WT Community Shim kit that used to be passed around? Maybe one of the old timers can chime in, but I'd swear there was a communal one. Not that it'll need shimmed anyway.

**rmb** · 10-02-2011, 01:48 PM

Get one of these:

Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters

Light it and walk away for 20 min., I can work in a t shirt in my unheated garage during the winter.

davehirt · 10-02-2011, 04:48 PM

I am up to 45000 km and havent checked yet, never heard of a honda (full on sports excepted) that needs them early on, if i had a kwaka..maybe.
will check them next service though

Toast · 10-02-2011, 05:01 PM

I see this is a perfect time to offer you my 919...because you know...I wouldn't mind letting her go.

**marylandmike** · 10-02-2011, 05:06 PM

Mine needed a slight adjustment on #2, 3 intake at the 32K check. At 16K none were out of spec, but a couple were close. The service manual has a really good write-up on how to do the checks. A second set of hands helps especially when removing and re-installing the valve cover. Change out the coolant and the plugs at the same time.

davehirt · 10-02-2011, 06:15 PM

best get to mine then

nd4spdbh · 10-03-2011, 04:09 PM

commin up on 16k mi figured i would show the 919 some love and do a valve check soon... probably before my next oil change. so ill report back then... it will be intresting, i am super hard on my 919 so we shall see

Toast · 10-03-2011, 05:03 PM

I didn't bother with the check when I passed 16k. Engine's running great and sound. Coming up on 20k now...hopefully will sell the bike before I invest in a check. I don't think it would need anything though...I try to baby the bike and only have fun when it's fully warmed (optimal).

No idea if that helps prolong the valve adjustment interval...haha.

nd4spdbh · 10-03-2011, 05:43 PM

see the problem with going by hearing and valves, is that ya you can hear loose valves, which usually arnt a problem... its the tight valves that make no extra noise that will cause you issues.

**rmb** · 10-03-2011, 05:53 PM

^^Has anyone ever heard of valve clearances getting tighter over time? Assuming they were in spec at production.

Toast · 10-03-2011, 05:56 PM

You've got a point...maybe my valves are off...maybe they're not. I guess I'll end up being ignorant of the situation since I'm still getting really good gas mileage (avg. 47mpg)

rickard919 · 10-03-2011, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmb View Post

^^Has anyone ever heard of valve clearances getting tighter over time? Assuming they were in spec at production.

Yup. Two of mine got tighter, the rest were all in spec. This was at 8o,000kms. Haven't looked at them since.

nd4spdbh · 10-03-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmb View Post

^^Has anyone ever heard of valve clearances getting tighter over time? Assuming they were in spec at production.

all the time... happens alot with high revving motors... when the valve gets slammed shut a couple of things happen... one the valve seat gets compressed / worn, which over time allows the valve to seat further n further in the head thus making the clearances tighter.

and two, that slamming shut action actually stretches the valve stem / cups the valve head, which makes for a longer valve as well.

You will see alot of this happen in the race 4stroke dirbikes (read crf250 450 yz250f 450 etc etc) simply due to the fact those motors are SO high strung as far as rpms and hp with VERY aggressive cam profiles etc.

You will also see alot of stories back in the early days of the race 4 stroke dirt bikes (circa 03-04) of bikes completly zeroing out the valve adjustment... often due to a dumb rider who was ust to riding two strokes, and just rode right on the revlimiter of the 4stroke dirbike.

**rmb** · 10-03-2011, 06:36 PM

^2^ Thanks, I'd never head of that before, learned something new today!

Pvster · 10-03-2011, 07:03 PM

valves getting tighter are well known with kawi ninja 250s as well (the older models not the newer ones as i dont know about the newer ones) so yes it happens all the time as nd4spd stated.

i will say though that this poll is missing an option.... "valve check? what valve check?! i'm at xx,xxx miles should i do a valve check?!\

im at 21k right now and still havent done a valve check, but i plan to at the beginning of next year.

undercover919 · 10-03-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmb View Post

Get one of these:

Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters

Light it and walk away for 20 min., I can work in a t shirt in my unheated garage during the winter.

"Outdoor use only"

But I wouldn't believe it'd be a big deal, used heaters like that all the time to heat garages and shops in the winter.

**rmb** · 10-03-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercover919 View Post

"Outdoor use only"

But I wouldn't believe it'd be a big deal, used heaters like that all the time to heat garages and shops in the winter.

That's liability, I've used one in a garage and a friend uses one in the basement, never any problems, even after several hours. note: garage is somewhat vented as well as the basement, you need some fresh air.

**Ottawa919** · 10-03-2011, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pvster View Post

i will say though that this poll is missing an option.... "valve check? what valve check?! i'm at xx,xxx miles should i do a valve check?!\

Done!

outdoorgb · 10-03-2011, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mntnceguy View Post

Usually, if you needed a shim, just take the one you have to the dealer, and they will just exchange it for the one you need, for free. So go ahead and do you checks, if you find you are in need of a different thickness shim, just go exchange it, talk to one of the techs in the back, not the sales guys...

This is good advice..
Although I only have 7500 on my '07, I do have an '06 KLR650 that calls for valve checks every 6K...at 6100 miles all four needed a thinner shim ( I doubt the dealer did any "real" check or adjust at the stated first check)...Yes...the valves seat further into the "seat" making less clearance where the cam licks the shim (I could sell that for a pRon line...)

No big deal, pulled the valve cover, used quality feeler gauges, recorded and calculated, took the OEM shims to the local Kawi/BMW dealer (same shims) and swapped for $4 each...back home, stitched her up...three hours total and road her like a Harley on a dirt road..dirty and wet....

When the 9'er comes due for a valve check, I'll use the great advice here and go forward with confidence...looking forward to seeing how well my cams are licking the shims....

Pvster · 10-03-2011, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ottawa919 View Post

Done!

4 total votes so far for this option, thats awesome

**Ottawa919** · 10-04-2011, 06:39 PM

Unbelievable! There are now more votes for "What's that" than all any other. I guess it says something of the reputation of this bike that many people aren't bothering with first checks, or in Rickards case, the fourth, fifth and sixth check, lol.

nd4spdbh · 10-04-2011, 06:58 PM

im only going to be doing it just cus i ride the living PISS out of my 919.... my motto, redline a day keeps the carbon away.

depending on what i find at the 16k check... will determine what i do for the rest of the life of the bike... if everything is spot on ill go to 40k before i check again.

View Poll Results: At my first valve clearance adjustment, I:
Made no adjustment. All were within spec.	9	23.68%
Made minor adjustment, even though still within spec.	1	2.63%
Made adjustment. One was out of spec.	1	2.63%
Made adjustment. More than one was out.	2	5.26%
Valve clearance check? What's that?	25	65.79%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version Email this Page Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Register Now

Log-in

Premium Vendor Showcase

Recent Discussions

Posting Rules
You may post new threads You may post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On HTML code is Off Trackbacks are Off Pingbacks are Off Refbacks are Off Forum Rules