Valve Shimming

[old son]

What is the most likely damage to occur if you dont have your valves checked and adjusted at the recommended intervals?
Are there any signs of this damage before it happens?
I get the impression that not many valves require shimming and the vast expense of having it done is a waste of time?

[red98]

how many miles have you done ?....pretty bullet proof these engines and very raerly need adjusting.....stripped and checked my 600 last year has 40`000 miles and were just within tollerences 

[limax2]

If the clearances increase you might detect an increase in valve clatter. If the clearances close up the first you will know about it is when one cylinder goes off as a valve starts to burn out.
Checking the clearance is not a big job, just a bit fiddley getting at them. Adjusting them is a bigger pain.
Checked mine at 35,000 miles and all within spec., which seems to be the norm in most cases.
 
Just noticed this is in the 1000 forum and my bike is a FZS600, but I guess the same applies.

[red98]

yep...simular set-up/tollerences etc 

[bigbluebear]

Just had my valve clearances done, all within the limit....just. My mechanic said he put new shimms in FOC (excuse the pun) as they cost next to nothing.

[red98]

that dos`nt sound right BIGBLUEBEAR......its easy to check the shims but to change them its a cams out jobbie , the shims are cheap but not the time 

[bigbluebear]

6 hours labour including a full service on the brakes, linkages, plugs, filters, carbs re-balanced etc. I also put on a Nitron rear shock, got the wheels powder coated gloss black and a few other bits and pieces done....all for £25

[old son]

Its a Gen 1 and its covered 60k miles. I hear 1 tappet rattle when I staret up but that soon goes quiet.

[unfazed]

Clearances loose annoy the rider, clearances tight annoy the engine.
Not checking the clearances is false economy.
Out of spec valve clearance usually shows up as a loss of power and uneven running but as it happens gradually over time is goes unoticed. Unfortunately as tight clearance make no sound and it can  go unoticed until it is to late due to burned out valves. Now it becomes an expensive fix and what could have been solved by changing a few shim now requires the head off , new valves,  seats, seals, shims, head gasket and a lot of time amd money.
 
 
 

[red98]

Its a Gen 1 and its covered 60k miles. I hear 1 tappet rattle when I staret up but that soon goes quiet.

with that mileage and the fact you can hear one of the tappets i would say its time to get them done 

[Falcon 269]

Are you sure it's an out-of-spec valve (no tappets as such in this engine, mate and not the cam chain?

Cheers!

Mike

[old son]

Its a single tick tick noise that goes quiet after about 15 seconds. Maybe I should get them checked. Anyone recommend somebody in Kent, South London?

[red98]

yeh my fault.....no tappets,as been replaced with buckets and shims running straight of the cams.......iam old so have excuse  .......still saying valve clearences for thr tick tick but also worth checking tensioner at same time 

[Falcon 269]

Tick-tick of a loose valve clearance would remain for longer than 15 secs, I suspect.

My money is on the cam chain / tensioner being just between auto-adjust notches. 

[red98]

ok....agree to disagree    .....let us know how you get on OLDSON......so everyone knows who to take the pi**out of  .........good luck