When to do a valve adjustment?

[cadmanmadman]

I have an '87 w/ only 12,000 miles. However, sitting right over the thing I hear a slight 'ticking' noise coming from the valve cover area. Its certainly not loud, but I can hear it. Should the valves tick at all on a properly running bike? How do I know when I am due for this adjustment?

[rvnmaniac]

 FJs do tick but if you don't know when the last time the valves have been checked then have it done. They hold up pretty good. Mine was checked earlier this year and no adjustments were needed and it had been at least 2 years since they were last adjusted.....

[FJ Flyer]

I thought the factory revised the interval for the first valve clearance check to 19,000 miles. At least in the '87 manual.

Ticking is normal.

[Corinthian]

I thought the factory revised the interval for the first valve clearance check to 19,000 miles. At least in the '87 manual.

Ticking is normal.

THANK GOD!

Whew, I just bought mine and was looking for something on valve ticking. Mine is pretty loud it has 33,000 miles on it. I'm tearing it down for a repaint so I'm most definately going to bring the block into a shop and have someone with more know how than me a simple parts replacer.

[threejagsteve]

FWIW, I just did my valves last week (34K mi.).

I ~think~ it had been about 20K mi. since the last check.

The result? Five exhaust valves had to go one size smaller shim. All the intakes were OK, but one is now at minimum tolerance. This is the first time any adjustments have been needed.

In other words, it's a good idea to check 'em at 12K mi., but you're not likely to need any adjustments unless some PO did something stupid (ya never know... )

[RichBaker]

I thought the factory revised the interval for the first valve clearance check to 19,000 miles. At least in the '87 manual.

Ticking is normal.

They pushed it 24k miles by '92..... ticking is normal.

[FJmonkey]

I recently adjusted my valves that were not ticking. I now have one intake valve on the #1 cyl that is loose and ticking. I did not have right size shim and ran out of patience after 3 weeks and Kookaloo. I don't ride that hard (higher RPMs) or even commute so I will fix it at the next oil change. Ticking is a loose valve, tight valves are the ones that damage. Loose just reduces performance. 

[RichBaker]

In the words of some wise....man, "A tappy valve is a happy valve....."

[mz_rider]

I've serviced my two FJs over the last 16 years and 150,000 miles and here's my experience.

The valves do go out of adjustment. I've changed 22 shims – all except one was tight. This is because the valve bashes its way into the head quicker than the cam wears. This means that you can't wait for valves "ticking" - it won't happen. In time the gaps will close up and you will risk burning the valve out. I check the valves at 8,000 miles. I've heard about greater intervals but never seems anything official – based on my experience I wouldn't exceed this interval.

Stuart (just back from a 500 miles day on the FJ and relaxing with Stella – as in Artois)

[RichBaker]

I've seen the "Wrench Report" (Yamaha's name for Tech service bulletins) that extended the interval to 24k miles. No, I don't have a copy and the dealership I used to frequent has been sold and moved. The old shop was like family, I could ask anything and, if they were able, it was done.... the new place is a damn car dealership, or think they are. 

[threejagsteve]

FWIW, I have my copy of the FJ1100/1200 (L-B) "Genuine Yamaha Service Manual" (c. 1991) in front of me, and it says valves should be adjusted every 24,000 km (15,200 mi.).

This is not to say that more frequent checks are not better...