Author Topic: Valve Clearances (Read 9807 times)

bstard · « **on:** November 04, 2005, 10:01:35 PM »

Hi
My GS1200SS was brand new two years ago when I got it.
I have put about 7000 k's on my GS1200SS over the last 2 yrs.Yes I know thats not alot but I'm lazy..sue me

Any how...it has been serviced twice at the bike shop I brought it off.
Today I did the valve clearance for the first time myself.It was sounding a bit rattly and I figured that you can never trust the bike shop to do it.
Now it sounds a bit worse !!!
I used tool makers shims at 0.008 ex and 0.005 in
I found that all of them were way tight and even the best were tighter than 0.005.This is not what I was expecting.
So I set them all as per the book and rechecked then heaps..even got a mate to check as well.So I know that they are set as per the book.
Started it up and it now sounds like... instead of maybe one or two of them sounding rattly... they are all ratterly.Maybe not quite as bad as the one or two loud ones but way more nosier than I expected.

So my questions are...

Are my clearances right for the GS1200SS at 0.008 ex and 0.005 in.
The GS1200SS is a ex japan model that they sell us cheap here in NZ.

Why were the valves so tight ? are they set that way from the factory or have they tightened up.

How noisy should they be ?
Thanks
Bstard

Red01 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2005, 10:23:36 PM »

I can't think of any reason why your motor's valve clearance would be any different than the Bandit 1200.
Yours seem to be right smack dab in the middle.

The B12 clearances are:
Inatake: .004 - .006 inches (.10 - .15 mm)
Exhaust: .007 - .009 inches (.18 - .23 mm)
The clearances can only be set if the engine is cold. STONE COLD!

That said, on new engines, it is normal for the valves to get tighter as the engine wears in. This is why Suzuki recommends a first service (with a valve check/adjustment) at 600 mi/1000 km. It is also normal for valves in proper adjustment be noisey... sounding like a 16 mice typing Shakespear on old Royal typewriters.

bstard · « **Reply #2 on:** November 05, 2005, 04:37:26 AM »

Hi
Thanks for confirming it all.
I was really hoping to find one or two valves with big clerances....it was a bit worrying to find most of them real tight.Thats not what I was expecting by the sounds I heard.
Must admit now that as I have had a quick blast up to road that they ALL sound about the same...just louder !!!
At the end of the day I know that I have set them right and I will have to forget how loud they sound

Thanks
Bstard

Bazza · « **Reply #3 on:** November 06, 2005, 05:55:47 AM »

Hey Bstard:

I can tell you that if I set my B-12 to anything other than minimum recomendations, I will hear ticking. Especially when cold.

Vee Dub Nut · « **Reply #4 on:** November 06, 2005, 01:46:35 PM »

You may want to check out this site, i had the same trouble that you had. I was using the correct feller gauge but was still setting them too loose. According to blades site, set them where the correct size feeler will barely move, when you tighten the lock nut, it actually increases the clearence a bit, then check and see if the next size up will slip in, if it does its not tight enough, if the next size up will not go in, its perfect. I did my valves two weekes ago and it made a lot of noise especially when the engine was cold. After i went in and reset them using the technique from this site, they sound perfect.

http://www.bladesbandit.com/cam.htm

there is detailed instructions and reasoning on his page if my rambling doesnt make any sense

chupacabra · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2005, 06:00:35 AM »

A little off subject but when you have the cover off do you guys retorque the head at the same time, like once a year? Seams I've been missing this every time. Is this bad? I know how to do it, Loosen one turn then retorque, just I've skipped it every time. Got me thinking now. Should I just do it this next time and quit worring about it?

chupacabra · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2005, 11:29:31 PM »

When turning the rotor (crankshaft), do you turn clockwise or counterclockwise? What is the normal running direction? By the look of the cam chain (tensioner in front), running direction would be counterclockwise. Is this correct?

Red01 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:07:52 AM »

It turns the same direction as the wheels do when riding (under power).
(If you can ride backwards, you're better than me.)

Red01 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2005, 03:08:48 AM »

Oh... I've never bothered with re-torqueing the cyl head.

chupacabra · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2005, 04:46:18 AM »

Oops. Why was I thinking the cam chain tensioner was in front.

I'll better go check how I ride too.

It all makes sence now that I looked at it with my eyes open.
I think I'll re-torqueing the cyl head just because the book says too.
Their only at 27.5 lb-ft.
. . . hum maybe thats why your supose to check them. I would have quessed alot higher!
Nothing like the pontiacs I used to build for fun back in the 80's

2005B12S · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2005, 11:43:02 AM »

Quote from: "bstard"

Hi
My GS1200SS was brand new two years ago when I got it.
I have put about 7000 k's on my GS1200SS over the last 2 yrs.Yes I know thats not alot but I'm lazy..sue me
Any how...it has been serviced twice at the bike shop I brought it off.
Today I did the valve clearance for the first time myself.It was sounding a bit rattly and I figured that you can never trust the bike shop to do it.
Now it sounds a bit worse !!!
I used tool makers shims at 0.008 ex and 0.005 in
I found that all of them were way tight and even the best were tighter than 0.005.This is not what I was expecting.
So I set them all as per the book and rechecked then heaps..even got a mate to check as well.So I know that they are set as per the book.
Started it up and it now sounds like... instead of maybe one or two of them sounding rattly... they are all ratterly.Maybe not quite as bad as the one or two loud ones but way more nosier than I expected.

So my questions are...

Are my clearances right for the GS1200SS at 0.008 ex and 0.005 in.
The GS1200SS is a ex japan model that they sell us cheap here in NZ.

Why were the valves so tight ? are they set that way from the factory or have they tightened up.

How noisy should they be ?
Thanks
Bstard

Lucky dog you, I would love to have a 1200SS. It has the same motor as B12. I used .006 intake and .008 exhaust on my recent adjustment. Bike is an '05 with 700 miles at check. Most of the valves were tight- this is normal after breakin.

These motors are set up a little looser than liquid cooled motors, light ticking is normal- especially when cold.

Post some photos of your bike if able.
Ride On, Ed.
2005 GSF1200SZ
1983 GS750ED

bstard · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2005, 07:57:25 PM »

Hi
2005B12S....If you look in the PERFORMANCE/FINAL DRIVE forum under Drag Racing Junkies.There is a pic of my GS1200SS in there.
Thanks
Bstard