Valve Clearance

[RaidoN]

When do i need to do a Valve Clearance? Thanks:) Riding Yzf-R125

[Hydher]

your manual should have mate.

[Isopropyl]

my spark 135 manual mention every 12,000km to have it check. at 20,000km plus, i went to three bike shops including planet motor and all of them told me there is no need to do so. Ah chong told me if i go to Yamaha Hong Leong and tell them i want to adjust valve clearance at 20,000km they will laugh at me and go back to him only after 70,000km:sian:

 

well...

[ooitn]

Valve clearance is very important in a engine, thats why manufacturer making so good that it hardly goes wrong for a long time, but check regularly is vital.

But the engine sound should give out a good sign of tell-tale. Just remember how your engine sound now, and should some new noise appear or power drop...not to late to check the VC then...only riding on SG rd, 100k km VC still ok, just a rule of thumb..

[ulysses_sc]

my spark 135 manual mention every 12,000km to have it check. at 20,000km plus, i went to three bike shops including planet motor and all of them told me there is no need to do so. Ah chong told me if i go to Yamaha Hong Leong and tell them i want to adjust valve clearance at 20,000km they will laugh at me and go back to him only after 70,000km:sian:

 

well...

 

Learn to do it yourself. It's really simple on a small single cylinder bike. Many instructional videos on youtube. I check the clearances on my thumpers every 3rd oil change. Sometimes clearances stay still, sometimes needs adjusting.

 

Unfortunately, most mechanics in Singapore downplay the importance of many things, including valve clearance checks, usage of torque wrenches, etc.

[RaidoN]

I was told that small bike doesn't have valve clearance... When i went to a bikeshop.. So..

[naim]

I was told that small bike doesn't have valve clearance... When i went to a bikeshop.. So..

 

all engines have valve clearances. i guess most shops here just don't want to mess around with a slightly tedious job.

[RaidoN]

I went there to the shop, I talked to one of the mechanic. He mentioned do valve clearance = Top overhaul already. suddenly got 1 guy think is a manager, he mentioned small bikes doesn't have valve clearance. Riding R125, current mileage 67k. Roughly how much does valve clearance cost?

[fx110]

no need do valve clearance, unless running on hydraulic tappet....

[ulysses_sc]

I went there to the shop, I talked to one of the mechanic. He mentioned do valve clearance = Top overhaul already. suddenly got 1 guy think is a manager, he mentioned small bikes doesn't have valve clearance. Riding R125, current mileage 67k. Roughly how much does valve clearance cost?

 

The mechanic obviously needs an overhaul himself. Do a search on google and see for yourself what valve clearance is all about.

 

Cost of doing valve clearance varies between machines and engine type. The easiest ones are single cylinder bikes using rocker arms. Overhead cam designs and multi-cylinder engines requires much more effort.

[S750WP]

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/361701-2004-Kawasaki-Z750-DIY-Guide

 

I did the valve clearance myself, mine is the shim under bucket system, its very tedious job. It involves removing the cam shaft to replace the shims then need to check the timings after VC. For the rocker arm adjuster type its much easier.

 

You can refer to my attached link to see the procedure.

[kinwei]

All bikes have valve hence need to do valve clearance. Basically there are rocker type, shim/bucket type or hydraulic type. Only hydraulic type auto adjust the clearance.

 

Most manufacturers will usually state a shorter mileage interval for valve clearance. This is to play safe. Because worst case might result in the piston hitting the valve and you can imagine how bad it can be.

 

However shop usually charges alot on anything that deal with opening up of engine hence valve clearance has becoming something like a big deal. So most of the bikers will based on previous biker (preferbably same bike model) experience to know when to do it. For example my bike manual stated 40k km do valve clearance but based on previous bikers experience, most say even at 80k km, the clearance is still in spec. Hence I know I am still safe even if I skip it at 80k km. Some uses tell tail sign like loud ticking sound, bad fuel comsuption, bad performance etc, to gauge. For me, I will still do at 80k km but change the timing chain and tensioner at the same time. Since I have to open the top anyway.

 

So to answer your question, if you want to be safe, follow your manual stated interval. Else you can check with those riding the same models for their experience. Small bike or single cylinder engine should be cheaper to do compared to multiple cylinders engine. I will suggest you go to recommended workshop to do.

[RaidoN]

Thanks =)

[Pizzaboy]

Mind sharin which r è recommended wkshops to adjust valve clearance for class 2 bikes?

[nick23]

I did mine at sporting Autobay for $150 exclude rubber gasket & coolant. Can enquire info from their chief mech Mengkong.