.23 intake valve clearance

[Fix]

How bad is having .23 intake valve clearance on 3 valves? I know the recommended clearance is .16-.2

When I reshimmed last, I was sure I had good tolerances. What could cause the clearances to increase? Am I looking at possible bad valves?

[James England]

Are you 100% positive that you got the valve shims correct last time?

Usually, valve clearances decrease as a result of the valves wearing into the valve seats. This reduces the gap and means ever thinner shims are usually needed (hence there being not much demand for the thicker shims).

Your valve clearances would appear to have increased. This is not usual and makes me wonder if you set them right last time. If you did, then there must be wear on the cam lobes or the shims themselves. Is everything OK with your oil/oil pressure etc?

[Fix]

James,

Thanks for the reply.

Last time I did them was the first time, so there's a very real possibility I screwed something up. It's been about 4000 miles since then of seemingly normal operation, but who knows.

I haven't noticed any oil pressure issues, but I'm not sure what I'd even be looking for. The bike does burn a bit of oil, about a quart every 700 mile highway trip.

Full disclosure time: When I did the shims last time I used the shim tool. However, I didn't realize that I wasn't supposed to rotate the cams without a shim in the bucket and managed to scratch up the edges of a few of the cam lobes. I cleaned out the offending slivers of metal, but haven't noticed any other symptoms.

How bad have I screwed the pooch here? Should I get 3 new shims and hope for the best?

[Fix]

I should mention measurements are with feeler gauges and the .23 is going in with some small resistance. .25 will not go in.

I just mic'd the feelers, the .23 mic'd at .236 and the .2 mic'd at .204 so they're in the ballpark.

[crazy steve]

How bad is having .23 intake valve clearance on 3 valves? I know the recommended clearance is .16-.2

When I reshimmed last, I was sure I had good tolerances. What could cause the clearances to increase? Am I looking at possible bad valves?

I assume this is intake valves? You're .001" over, I wouldn't worry about it at all. You'll have a bit more noise, but the adjustement will 'come' to you (close up with wear) so you'll just have a longer time before it needs it again.

As to the cause, I've found that using metric measurements and that shim chart is usually the culprit...

[Fix]

As to the cause, I've found that using metric measurements and that shim chart is usually the culprit...

Guilty as charged.

[WMarshy]

Just skip the chart and do the math the ol'fashon way and most importantly, measure the as-left clearance to make sure your math is right.