Post Reply 
 
Thread Rating:
  • 1 Votes - 4 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Author Message
Pterodactyl Offline
Road Warrior

Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,740
Joined: Sep 2013
Post: #1
The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Since I have joined this forum I have seen numerous threads and posts relating to valve clearance. There has been much discussion on how to, when, or even if this check is even necessary. What I would like to do is keep this thread constrained to OBSERVED VALVE CLEARANCE and avoid ANY discussion other than that. Model and mileage? Yes. Previosly shimed? Might be useful. Vin number? Up to you. I would rather you did not post comment on the oil you use, where the best burger in Peoria, PA can be found, or wether your mother-in-law rides a Road King. However I am a realist, if you really must, go ahead.

Model: '10.

Clearance specifications:


EX: 0.28 +/- 0.03 mm (0.011 +/- 0.001 in)

IN: 0.15 +/- 0.03 mm (0.006 +/- 0.001 in)


Mileage: 74000kms (46000miles) .

Previously shimed? Yes at 12000kms (8000miles).

The first number is the left side valve of the pair.


OBSERVED CLEARANCES

Cylinder #1

EX: .28 mm .28 mm

IN: .16 mm .12 mm


Cylinder #2

EX: .26 mm .26 mm

IN: .14 mm .13 mm

Cylinder #3

EX: .27 mm .28 mm

IN: .16 mm .13 mm


Cylinder #4

EX: .26 mm .26 mm

IN: .15 mm .18 mm


Cheers

Don't ride safe. It's boring.
06-24-2016 02:13 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Ulvetanna Away
Road Warrior

USA
Posts: 1,696
Joined: Apr 2016
Post: #2
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
All mine were exactly at the middle of the specification, based on my "feel" developed over the years. None tight, none loose. Just enough drag on the feeler gage to make me happy.

Done at just over 8,000 miles or ~13,000 km.

Looks like yours are all within spec now, but could you post what they were at the first adjustment and which ones were shimmed?

Conclusion could be that some require shimming at the first service but once "worn in" they tend to hold the adjustment well.

I cannot go along with the idea that this should be ignored. Yeah, it's a day's work but it's a machine, it can wear out or break. Better to be safe than sorry.

I do think knowing the type and grade of oil would also be relevant so I fell compelled to state this. 10W40 from the first change.
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2016 07:18 AM by Ulvetanna.)
06-24-2016 07:17 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
kmoney Offline
High Mileage

Vancouver, BC
Posts: 908
Joined: Sep 2014
Post: #3
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Model: 2013
Mileage: 17,000kms
Previous Adjustment: No.
Result: 11/16 valves perfect or within .01mm of spec. 4 exhaust valves and one intake at .02mm looser than spec. No adjustments required.

Observed:
1: E: .28, .29 I: .15, .15
2: E: .30, .29 I: .15, .16
3: E: .30, .30 I: .17, .15
4: E: .30, .28 I: .16, .16

Ptero: Assuming you shimmed them back to middle spec at first service, that's definitely not that much movement in 60K.
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2016 08:36 PM by kmoney.)
06-24-2016 09:08 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DAC Offline
High Mileage

Central Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,267
Joined: Jun 2013
Post: #4
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Your exhaust is almost exactly where mine were at the first check at 9,500 mi. The intake side for some are a little tighter. (Mine were all at .15 with some maybe +.01). Tony, do you think the techs really did anything first go around? I know you were a little disappointed in their work on other fronts.
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2016 10:00 AM by DAC.)
06-24-2016 09:59 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Pterodactyl Offline
Road Warrior

Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,740
Joined: Sep 2013
Post: #5
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
(06-24-2016 09:59 AM)DAC Wrote:  Your exhaust is almost exactly where mine were at the first check at 9,500 mi. The intake side for some are a little tighter. (Mine were all at .15 with some maybe +.01). Tony, do you think the techs really did anything first go around? I know you were a little disappointed in their work on other fronts.

All I can say about the first major service (12000kms) is that it was done at a large dealership and they charged me for valve adjustment and shims. They couldn't provide detail.

Cheers

Don't ride safe. It's boring.
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2016 04:30 PM by Pterodactyl.)
06-24-2016 04:30 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DAC Offline
High Mileage

Central Ohio, USA
Posts: 1,267
Joined: Jun 2013
Post: #6
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Fair enough. I will most likely go back in for another check at 20K mi. That should be about 2 years. If they're still in spec, I'll be done checking valves.
(This post was last modified: 06-24-2016 04:44 PM by DAC.)
06-24-2016 04:37 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
sanoke Offline
1st Service Completed

Colorado
Posts: 122
Joined: Oct 2013
Post: #7
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
I'm not particularly proud of this fact but it is another data point. I was checking my valves every 8,000 miles up to about 24,000 miles and didn't see any perceivable change at all. I now have about 54,000 miles on it and I probably won't check them again until the cam cover gasket starts to leak or I start worrying about it too much. The bike still runs like new.
06-25-2016 05:52 AM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
DJS Offline
Running Like a Top

Long Island NY
Posts: 306
Joined: Apr 2015
Post: #8
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
dealer performed 8000 mile service on 2014 cb1100 dlx.
Clearance specifications:
EX: 0.28 +/- 0.03 mm
IN: 0.15 +/- 0.03 mm
Observed:
1: E: .28, .27 I: .14, .15
2: E: .26, .28 I: .14, .16
3: E: .27, .29 I: .15, .16
4: E: .29, .28 I: .16, .14
no adjustments needed or done.

2014 CB1100 DLX
06-26-2016 03:35 AM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
sanoke Offline
1st Service Completed

Colorado
Posts: 122
Joined: Oct 2013
Post: #9
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Mileage: 61,428 miles (98,285 km)

#1 - exhaust .30,.30 intake .15,.15
#2 - exhaust .30,.30 intake .15,.15
#3 - exhaust .28,.28 intake .15,.15
#4 - exhaust .28,.28 intake .18,.18

No adjustment needed.

I don't see anything getting tight so I'll probably go another 36,000 miles before I check them again.
(This post was last modified: 10-16-2016 02:36 PM by sanoke.)
10-16-2016 02:32 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Sprout Offline
Break-In Period

Colorado
Posts: 14
Joined: Sep 2015
Post: #10
RE: The OBSERVED Valve Clearance thread
Just did mine at my dealer with 8300 miles on the clock--- all within spec, mechanic suggested waiting 16K more miles before checking again
10-25-2016 03:13 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 


[-]
Forum Friends
Premium Exhausts & Unique Parts from Japan

[-]
Recent Posts
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
Interesting dilema, Mr. P... my vote wou . . .pdedse — 08:16 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
The same bike not even broken in wit . . .Ollie — 08:09 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
I've been riding since I was a kid a . . .The ferret — 07:52 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
I am grateful for a cage that keeps me w . . .GoldOxide — 06:30 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
:rofl:The ferret — 06:04 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
A new Camry should last till the next Ic . . .Gone in 60 — 05:39 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
That is a very good story, Ferret. In . . .The ferret — 03:58 PM
Triumph Thruxton RS Final Edition
I don't know about that... they're easy . . .Gone in 60 — 03:50 PM

[-]
Statistics
» Members: 6,521
» Latest member: gregb6718
» Forum threads: 15,974
» Forum posts: 329,787

Full Statistics

>
Forum Jump: