Valve adjustment

[Yamahahammer1300]

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.

[aviationfred]

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...

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



Fred

[FJmonkey]

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.

[balky1]

Clymer says every 12 000 km. Long term owners here say even more often.

[Sparky84]

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.