Not Adjusting Valves?

[Schaf1cm]

I just became the proud owner of a ~30,000 mile XJ11. PO stated that he did not ever adjust the valves, and the title did not have the mileage when he purchased the bike so I cant tell how many miles he put on over 5 years.

Other than knowing that I need to do the valves and then also probably sync the carbs, what damage can occur if I put off the valve adjustment until, say, fall (will probably have a few thousand miles logged by then)? Is it just performance issues or a real threat to longevity? The latter will surely have me in the bike, and not riding as I wait for shims...Which I would love to avoid as long as everything seems otherwise copacetic with my riding experience.


Thanks!

[trbig]

I've got over 100k miles since checking my valves. Maybe over 150k, I just can't remember if I did it since the rebuild. Don't sweat it, it's a very slow process.. even slower if the oil changes have been done regularly. If the cylinders all have good compression, you'll be fine for a few thousand miles. If you're good with that, then ride. If it's going to be nagging in the back of your mind while trying to enjoy a ride, check the valves.

[Schaf1cm]

Thanks - that is incredibly reassuring. Now I will just troubleshoot my high idle...

[trbig]

You do know that the XJ has the YICS system and you need a tool to synch the carbs correctly, right? And yes, a high idle is usually indicative of carbs possibly needing synched, but if it was running before, more than likely you should start with a carb cleaning.

[Schaf1cm]

Thanks for the FYI -

I'm actually reasonably familiar with the platform - My first bike was an 82 XJ750; at that time in my life, maintenance consisted of oil changes and spark plugs. Now, years later, I'm considerably more knowledgeable/ competent/ capable. I've read through the factory service manual, know about the YICS eliminator, etc. Bike has had 1st/2nd gear redone, spacer on the other side, fuse block changed, etc. I studied this site for quite some time before deciding to purchase a used xj11, and used this site to create a must have/needs done checklist for evaluating used ones. You guys are awesome.

In the case of this bike, however, I'm at the stage of theory without experience (mere intellectual play).

Again, thanks so much for the reply.

[mack]

Sorry but!

For the time it takes to check the shim clearances, why cross your fingers and hope for the best. Takes 30 minutes max. Then you'll know. The point is the valve train is what makes the engiune breath properly. As you know combustion motors are just big air pumps with a controled leak (carberators). If the VT isn't right, you can never tune them to the max performance. And really, thats what it's all about when riding one of these brutes! Similar to the old muscle cars, bullet fast in a straight line but hard to get around a corner at velocity until you learn to work the bikes attributes! Take the 30 minutes, you won't be disappointed in the long run!

[motoman]

for the time it takes to check the shim clearances, why cross your fingers and hope for the best. Takes 30 minutes max. Then you'll know. The point is the valve train is what makes the engiune breath properly. As you know combustion motors are just big air pumps with a controled leak (carberators). If the vt isn't right, you can never tune them to the max performance. And really, thats what it's all about when riding one of these brutes! Similar to the old muscle cars, bullet fast in a straight line but hard to get around a corner at velocity until you learn to work the bikes attributes! Take the 30 minutes, you won't be disappointed in the long run!

+1..........would imagine they're a bit on the tight side and a recipe for future burnt valves.

[motoman]

[QUOTE=motoman;483232]+1..........would imagine valve clearances are a bit on the tight side and a recipe for future burnt valves......

[MaximPhil]

Thanks - that is incredibly reassuring. Now I will just troubleshoot my high idle...

Hi Schaf1cm,
Be aware the top end on these makes a lot of noise when valves are correctly adjusted.....so if it is really quiet on the top end you need adjustment.
Phil

[trbig]

Sorry guys, but there's absolutely no way his valves are going to be so far out at just 30k miles that there's possibility of burnt valves. Also no way a new guy to these bikes is going to do that job in 30 minutes. Especially if he does need to swap any, in which he'd then have to wait for replacements unless one of you show up with a bucket full to help. I've been into these motors who knows how many times, and there's no way I could do it start to finish in 30 minutes. If you can, wonderful, but that's not going to be the norm. It's a PITA job to do it and get the valve cover on and actually sealed again.

It's not going to hurt a thing to ride a few thousand miles to get the bugs out before attempting to tackle this job. Heck, there's a chance after sitting that some corrosion has gotten between the shim and bucket, making the measurements you'd take now wrong anyway.

If one of these guys is willing to come over and show you how to tackle that job in 30 minutes, take them up on it. If not, and the bike has good compression now, it'll be fine for a lot of miles. I'll even back my opion up with free valves if you burn any.

[motoman]

Sorry guys, but there's absolutely no way his valves are going to be so far out at just 30k miles that there's possibility of burnt valves. Also no way a new guy to these bikes is going to do that job in 30 minutes. Especially if he does need to swap any, in which he'd then have to wait for replacements unless one of you show up with a bucket full to help. I've been into these motors who knows how many times, and there's no way I could do it start to finish in 30 minutes. If you can, wonderful, but that's not going to be the norm. It's a PITA job to do it and get the valve cover on and actually sealed again.

It's not going to hurt a thing to ride a few thousand miles to get the bugs out before attempting to tackle this job. Heck, there's a chance after sitting that some corrosion has gotten between the shim and bucket, making the measurements you'd take now wrong anyway.

If one of these guys is willing to come over and show you how to tackle that job in 30 minutes, take them up on it. If not, and the bike has good compression now, it'll be fine for a lot of miles. I'll even back my opion up with free valves if you burn any.

With apparent 30K on odometer, very true Tod. On the flip-side though, you know how folks put that kinda stuff off once their riding again. That was the reason I inserted future.

[mack]

Shim

clearances. My book says to check them every 8K miles. The valve cover on an xj is a lot easier to get off than and xs for sure. 30 K is a minor amount of miles for these bikes. I've had three speedo's on mine though so if I sold it today, the new owner would think it only has 10K miles on it.
Schaf, come on down to my place in the summer, stay the weekend and we can check it over from front to rear if you like. I got all the tools we'll need. If there is anything you know is wrong or needs doing, order the parts and "we'll getr done!"

[trbig]

My book says to check them every 8K miles. The valve cover on an xj is a lot easier to get off than and xs for sure.

Ummm.. .What?! lol. I own both, so just curious how you came up with this statement since I've found just the opposite with the space allowed between the top of the motor and the frame and electronics. Without removing any of the electronics, you actually have to force/shove the valve cover on past the back cam, which means you have to try to apply any type of liquid sealer AFTER you get it in place. I've personally never had just the gasket seal here.

The XJ book says to check them every 5k miles or 12 months. It also says to re-grease your U-joint, your steering head bearings, and re-synch your carbs every 2500 miles, I've found that to be incredibly unneeded, but some use the manual like a bible.

Like I said, if he's going to fret about it, do it. Knowing what I do about the motors, I wouldn't, but maybe that's just me.

[mack]

I think that's

the best thing about these bikes. They are bullet proof. No Maint., improper maint. , poor adjustement, they will almost always want to start and run the competition into the ground, and put a smile on your face But !!!!! A properly adjusted and tuned one can make you laugh out loud. Big I'm not disagreeing with you BIG, just saying for the time it takes. However, I must have missed read his original post as I was under the impression that he owned a 750 before and had personally maintained it. After re-reading this thread I see that is not the case. Now is a good time to learn but not one of us can avoid the original start up and not want to throw a leg over and give it a red line or two.
Schaf, it's your ride, do what fits you! You can't kill these motors.

[Tarheeltriple]

Just my 2 cents

The number 1 problem with these bikes is dirty carbs...go to XJBikes.com and read "The Church of Clean" http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/thread...f-clean.14692/ this has some very good info.