Valve Clearance Adjustment

[ctprobst]

Just bought the bike in April, (19,500 miles) not sure of the service record. Book says to check valve clearence at every 10,000

How have the rest of you folks done the valve adjustment? I was looking at a kit, a lot of money. Should I just measure every thing and then order what I need?

The tool I have found is about $15.00+s/h. Seems to be the best price. (Don't like the local dealer - unfreindly group).

[skids]

Get a new valve cover gasket and some RTV Ultra Black to seal the half moon rubber seals on the rt hand side. If you get the Motion Pro tool, you might have to take some metal off of it to get it to work right (do a search on this site).

Yamaha dealers are all over the board when it comes to prices on new shims and some don't like to trade for used. Kawasaki shims are the same diameter (at least the ones I got). Local shops may be more willing to trade old for old with a small fee. I have found that shim clearances usually don't change much over time, and tend to be on the tight side rather than loose. Keep in mind that the shim sizes are in increments, and if you are on the edge of spec., just leave it alone because the next size will put you over or under. If you have some out of spec., examine the numbers of each because you may be able to swap shims for the position and have to get fewer of them.

[randy]

ctprobst,

Some find it simpler to measure and order later, because you may find that you can swap some of your shims around to reduce the quantity you need to order.

Do a search here for valve adjustment, the tool may give you some difficulty in use, some have found it necessary to alter it to fit properly.

I for one remove the camshafts to do the shims. I find it easier than using the tool, if you've never re-timed cams before take care, you can bend valves if you aren't careful!