Valve clearance check time

[FazThou]

Well my old 2003 fazer 1000 has just crept over 24500 miles so i suppose i will have to check the valve clearances very soon (not bad for an old girl )


Anything you guys/girls can suggest i get before i start ?


Once i have done them i will have to re balance the carbs i presume ?

[PieEater]

From the Gen1 FAQ;

If you are planning on checking the valve clearances yourself (26,600 mile intervals) a service manual such as those from Haynes & Clymer is always recommended but there are a number of points you should be aware of.
- Firstly as partial removal of the AIS system forms part of the process you should plan on using this opportunity to completely remove the AIS, if it hasn't already been junked.
- Secondly if the service manual tells you to remove the carbs as part of the process (as per Mr Haynes) then this isn't necessary.
- Thirdly it isn't  necessary to remove the timing cover in order to find TDC as long as the cam lobe is directly opposite the valve bucket you are checking then this is sufficient, putting the bike in gear and rotating the rear wheel will allow you to rotate the cams.
- Lastly the exhaust valve clearances are 0.21mm to 0.30mm some manuals will say that he upper tolerance is 0.25mm, (thanks to forum member Unfazed for this information), the intake clearances are  0.11mm to 0.20mm.

[FazThou]

Cheers PieEater for the tips

[kebab19]

Yes, remove the AIS octopus and use compressed air to blow out the recesses where the water pipes go down into head: they like to drop rust & other gunk down in when you lift the cover off.Take your time and plenty of photos to assist memory, Clymer manual and record which shim goes where. Have a decent torque wrench too for those cam caps... 

[BBROWN1664]

Have a look at this

https://foc-u.co.uk/index.php?action=downloads;cat=4

All here on the forum

[FazThou]

Cheers for all the info and advice guys.
Am fairly competant as have rebuilt a few r1's in the past
BUT everyday is a school day 

[FazThou]

Well this has been put back till next weekend as just found out the mot ran out last week oops lol
Anyway booked in for saturday so will get that done first then start...
Maybe doing a bit more while im there and will post up pics as i go 

[FazThou]

Flew through the mot this morning so back using it for work
There is no signs or noises from the head so am going to leave the valve clearances until it is laid up in the wet season

[PieEater]

To be honest I've never heard of anyone saying that their valves were out of tolerance when checking. I remember someone replacing some shims just so that the clearances were in the middle of the range but this was because they wanted to rather than needed to. Of course your bike may be the exception but in all honesty I would enjoy the summer and contemplate your options come winter. In preparation it would be good to look for some feeler gauges with a  narrow taper and that are in the upper, lower and middle of the ranges so you don't have to faff around with multiple feelers to get to the size you want.

[FazThou]

Exactly what i was planning to do PieEater
Just ride and enjoy it
Gonna give it an oil and filter change possibly next weekend if i remember to order them in time lol

[FazThou]

Well i had a few spare hours today so decided to check them anyway
Removed the seat tank and sidepanels
Drained coolant and removed radiator and thermostat housing
Removed AIS system then coils and plug leads
Removed rocker cover and all clearances are well within spec    happy days


Put it all back together and refilled coolant


Next job is to check and balance the carbs, possibly sunday

[SkidT]

Good job done. 👍

I can rest a little easier now, as I couldn’t be bothered to do mine at the suggested mileage. 


In fairness, I did check them on one of my earlier Gen1’s and like you, they were in spec, so didn’t bother this time around.


Good luck with the carb balance.