Author Topic: My first ever valve adjust! Woo Hoo! (Read 3013 times)

Oldschooler · « **on:** May 07, 2007, 10:28:24 PM »

When I got my 96 B6 it had 17K on it. Now at 23K and I was wondering what kind of shape the valve adjustment was in. I read and read every post that I could find about adjusting the valves.
I'm pretty mechanical. If you were to go way,way back in the way-back machine, you could see me building my own motor in my 70 1/2 Camero and helping ALL of my friends with theirs! I used to live at the drag strip and I can't count how many times I've had to "Magyver" a repair to get someone home!
For some reason this motorcycle thing was intimidating me.

Today I broke down and just jumped into it. It was EASY. Took me a while because it was my first time, and next time I'm sure it will take less than half the time.
GOOD THING I DID IT !!! I couldn't even wedge a .08 in there!! They were tight. Not mushrooming or anything, but tight. When I got done it had a serious case of lope lope at idle. I readjusted the air screws and bingo, right back to smooth. Now I have to get used to all that noise coming from the valves! LOL I guess I was just used to them being tight and quiet. I'm so glad I did it. Anyone like me who is having seconds thoughts, just do what I did and jump right in. Nothing like piece of mind knowing they are right!
Thanks to everyone on the many posts about adjusting the valves. There was some very good info in there that is NOT in the manual.

Jim

Bob Holland · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2007, 09:34:06 AM »

Valve Clearance (when cold)
In.: 0.10-0.15MM (0.004-0.006 in.)
Ex.: 0.18-0.23MM (0.007-0.009in.)
When you say, .08, I hope you are talking MM, not in.

Oldschooler · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2007, 12:59:23 PM »

Yep, mm.
.08mm is where my gauges start.

The fun part was converting my torque wrench settings which reads in (ftlbs), into (NM) which is what the manual showes!

ant_129 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2007, 07:45:45 PM »

ME Too! I just finished up this weekend on my 1200. The stealership estimated a 3 hour job and said it would cost me $250.

I got it done in 4 hours (dang valve cover!) and saved over $200. I bought all the gaskets just in case and Murphy's Law prevails, I didn't need them.

I had a few too tight and few too loose on both the exhaust and intake.

It wasn't that hard at all and I will do it again.

The bike does sound different at idle, but I am guessing by the first post that it is normal?

okbandit · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:05:42 PM »

Yes, if you can't hear the valves ticking you are too tight or just deaf in one ear like me.

GooseMan · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2007, 05:33:49 PM »

I'd like to do it to my bike...1991 Bandit 400 with 56,000km on it! Not sure if theyve ever been adjusted!

I think I can manage to take off the tank and the valve cover..but I still dont understand what valve "clearance" is. What am I supposed to be measuring?

Red01 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2007, 09:55:14 PM »

The gap between the rocker arm and top of the valve stem.
(Or on machines without rockers, between the cam lobe and valve stem bucket/shim.)