Should I do a valve check?

kawabunga · 02-20-2012, 03:41 PM

I bought my bike used, and am not sure the last time a valve clearence check has been done.
I don't know if its anything like car engines, but its making zero noise (no ticking) cold or hot, so does that mean they are ok yet?

I know thats a tell tale sign that they need to be done, I'm just wondering if even if I have no noise, should I check mine out?

The guy I bought it from was a noob. Only rode it once. Then parked it for a year+ (it was his brother inlaws bike) Long story......
anyways, he didn't have a clue about anything on the bike, so I didn't even ask him about the valve check.

Thanks guys!

Savagerider · 02-20-2012, 03:46 PM

it wouldn't hurt you know. better to be safe than sorry and something happening to it. it be ashamed. so if i was you i would

Tazio · 02-20-2012, 03:59 PM

In general the valve clearance doesn't increase, rather it gets smaller as the valves pound into the seats. This can lead to burnt valves if they can't conduct heat to the cylinder head and even lead to "dropping" valves as the valve head will actually separate from the stem (old VW beatles come to mind). Since you have no idea if and when it was checked and if it has over 20,000 miles on it, it would be a good idea to have them checked by a reputable shop (if you are not too mechanically inclined) as it is not a job for the faint of heart.

kawabunga · 02-20-2012, 04:08 PM

I'm not "scared" to do the job, just from what i've found searching, is a time consumming job.
I was just wondering due to some people complaining of ticking. Mine has zero noise anywhere, even with plastic off....

I guess for what its gonna take, i'll slide some feeler gauges in there, just to be sure.
I mean its not gonna take too much to check the clearence as I have the one side plastic off, going to be changing front tire, and want to do a coolant change anyhow as well.

Hibs · 02-20-2012, 11:47 PM

It's not that bad of a job. I had never done one before, and I did one on my '00 and then a co-workers '03 just this last year, both went very smooth. Just follow some of the guides that have been posted on here, and also helps to have the factory service manual. For the cost of a new valve cover gasket, you should go ahead and check it. And if you're going to do the coolant anyways, just remove the exhaust/radiator. Makes it a whole lot easier to get your hands in there.

kawabunga · 02-21-2012, 04:08 AM

yea true enough. I mean it doesn't take much to rotate cams, and check for clearence.

Is there an online dealer that anyone use's for factory parts?
I need a couple small things from Kawi.



02-20-2012, 03:41 PM	#1
kawabunga Senior Member From: Niagara Falls, Canada Joined: Oct 2011 I Ride: 00 ZX12R Posts: 748	Should I do a valve check? I bought my bike used, and am not sure the last time a valve clearence check has been done. I don't know if its anything like car engines, but its making zero noise (no ticking) cold or hot, so does that mean they are ok yet? I know thats a tell tale sign that they need to be done, I'm just wondering if even if I have no noise, should I check mine out? The guy I bought it from was a noob. Only rode it once. Then parked it for a year+ (it was his brother inlaws bike) Long story...... anyways, he didn't have a clue about anything on the bike, so I didn't even ask him about the valve check. Thanks guys!

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02-20-2012, 03:46 PM	#2
Savagerider Senior Member From: Missouri Joined: Nov 2011 I Ride: 1996 zx600 & 2000 zx12r Posts: 149	it wouldn't hurt you know. better to be safe than sorry and something happening to it. it be ashamed. so if i was you i would



02-20-2012, 03:59 PM	#3
Tazio Senior Member From: Hackettstown N.J. Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 294	In general the valve clearance doesn't increase, rather it gets smaller as the valves pound into the seats. This can lead to burnt valves if they can't conduct heat to the cylinder head and even lead to "dropping" valves as the valve head will actually separate from the stem (old VW beatles come to mind). Since you have no idea if and when it was checked and if it has over 20,000 miles on it, it would be a good idea to have them checked by a reputable shop (if you are not too mechanically inclined) as it is not a job for the faint of heart.



02-20-2012, 04:08 PM	#4
kawabunga Senior Member From: Niagara Falls, Canada Joined: Oct 2011 I Ride: 00 ZX12R Posts: 748	I'm not "scared" to do the job, just from what i've found searching, is a time consumming job. I was just wondering due to some people complaining of ticking. Mine has zero noise anywhere, even with plastic off.... I guess for what its gonna take, i'll slide some feeler gauges in there, just to be sure. I mean its not gonna take too much to check the clearence as I have the one side plastic off, going to be changing front tire, and want to do a coolant change anyhow as well.



02-20-2012, 11:47 PM	#5
Hibs Senior Member From: Monterey, CA Joined: Jan 2006 I Ride: 2000 ZX-12R Posts: 2,255	It's not that bad of a job. I had never done one before, and I did one on my '00 and then a co-workers '03 just this last year, both went very smooth. Just follow some of the guides that have been posted on here, and also helps to have the factory service manual. For the cost of a new valve cover gasket, you should go ahead and check it. And if you're going to do the coolant anyways, just remove the exhaust/radiator. Makes it a whole lot easier to get your hands in there.



02-21-2012, 04:08 AM	#6
kawabunga Senior Member From: Niagara Falls, Canada Joined: Oct 2011 I Ride: 00 ZX12R Posts: 748	yea true enough. I mean it doesn't take much to rotate cams, and check for clearence. Is there an online dealer that anyone use's for factory parts? I need a couple small things from Kawi.