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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Yamahahammer1300 on December 19, 2017, 09:08:01 PM

Title: Valve adjustment
Post by: Yamahahammer1300 on December 19, 2017, 09:08:01 PM
Just wondering, when is a necessary time for a valve adjustment?
My bike starts, idles, and runs with no issues.  I doubt it has had the clearances checked in 14k miles, though.  There is a slight tap upon startup, but I don't hear it when it's warmed up.
Title: Re: Valve adjustment
Post by: aviationfred on December 19, 2017, 11:16:57 PM
IMO, if someone has a bike that they are not the original owner and the mileage is over 20,000 miles, I would do a valve clearance check and adjust accordingly. I believe the Yamaha service manual puts valve adjustments at every 12,500 miles.

It can't hurt to do it... :drinks:

Quiet valves are not a good thing on an FJ.... You want to hear a slight ticking.



Fred
Title: Re: Valve adjustment
Post by: FJmonkey on December 19, 2017, 11:24:58 PM
The worst problem with valves are the silent ones. A loose valve will make a tap noise and reduce performance. A tight valve will not make any noise and can cause a burnt valve. When I first got my '89 I checked and adjusted the valves. Less that 6 thousand miles later they were already making noise so i checked them again. A few were loose as expected and one was very tight. So my next check will be around 5 or 6 thousand. I recommend you get them checked soon.
Title: Re: Valve adjustment
Post by: balky1 on December 20, 2017, 01:01:07 AM
Clymer says every 12 000 km. Long term owners here say even more often.
Title: Re: Valve adjustment
Post by: Sparky84 on December 20, 2017, 03:35:52 AM
Quote from: Yamahahammer1300 on December 19, 2017, 09:08:01 PM
There is a slight tap upon startup, but I don't hear it when it's warmed up.

Mine usually get louder as the bike warms up, always tapped.
Thought mine was unique until I joined this forum.