questions about valve adjustment

[RealLifePoirot]

There's something I find weird about my friend's bike that I want to ask here.

Adjusting the valves on a motorcycle isn't a huge job because it just means swapping out some small parts called shims.

My friend recently did his 60K mile check himself bcs he wants to save a ton of money. fixing the clutch and working on his motorcycle isn't too hard after all, and he likes doing it.

He checked the clearances in his engine's valves when the engine was cold.

The numbers he got were a little outside the recommended range:

Intake valves: The range should be 0.13 to 0.23, and his was 0.23, 0.19, 0.24, and 0.20.

Exhaust valves: The range should be 0.30 to 0.40, and all four of his were 0.41.

These numbers are all pretty close to the correct range, right? He asked a local shop about it, and the shop said just to leave them as they are, saying the engine "likes them a little loose."

I told him that I find it kind of weird and am wondering if they would notice any difference if we adjusted all the clearances to be in the middle of the recommended range.

Any pro here, please tell us if running the valves this "loose" could cause any problems.

I actually wondering if they're just looking for something to fix to spend money on.

 

[500daysofspring]

There's something I find weird about my friend's bike that I want to ask here.

Adjusting the valves on a motorcycle isn't a huge job because it just means swapping out some small parts called shims.

My friend recently did his 60K mile check himself bcs he wants to save a ton of money. fixing the clutch and working on his motorcycle isn't too hard after all, and he likes doing it.

He checked the clearances in his engine's valves when the engine was cold.

The numbers he got were a little outside the recommended range:

Intake valves: The range should be 0.13 to 0.23, and his was 0.23, 0.19, 0.24, and 0.20.

Exhaust valves: The range should be 0.30 to 0.40, and all four of his were 0.41.

These numbers are all pretty close to the correct range, right? He asked a local shop about it, and the shop said just to leave them as they are, saying the engine "likes them a little loose."

I told him that I find it kind of weird and am wondering if they would notice any difference if we adjusted all the clearances to be in the middle of the recommended range.

Any pro here, please tell us if running the valves this "loose" could cause any problems.

I actually wondering if they're just looking for something to fix to spend money on.

Normal for you to wonder because that's almost always the case dealers wanna leave things be so you come back to them. But what kinda logic is that since they kinda ruined stuff and expect us to come running back? Crazy mofo. Anyway, I'm thinking your friend's numbers are really loose but they're still almost in the recommended range except the exhaust valve which is only just 0.01 beyond. Keep it a 0.35 I think.

 

[TwoWheelTherapy]

There's something I find weird about my friend's bike that I want to ask here.

Adjusting the valves on a motorcycle isn't a huge job because it just means swapping out some small parts called shims.

My friend recently did his 60K mile check himself bcs he wants to save a ton of money. fixing the clutch and working on his motorcycle isn't too hard after all, and he likes doing it.

He checked the clearances in his engine's valves when the engine was cold.

The numbers he got were a little outside the recommended range:

Intake valves: The range should be 0.13 to 0.23, and his was 0.23, 0.19, 0.24, and 0.20.

Exhaust valves: The range should be 0.30 to 0.40, and all four of his were 0.41.

These numbers are all pretty close to the correct range, right? He asked a local shop about it, and the shop said just to leave them as they are, saying the engine "likes them a little loose."

I told him that I find it kind of weird and am wondering if they would notice any difference if we adjusted all the clearances to be in the middle of the recommended range.

Any pro here, please tell us if running the valves this "loose" could cause any problems.

I actually wondering if they're just looking for something to fix to spend money on.

idk how lose it is, but I know that running the exhaust valves slightly loose can lead to various problems over time. probably tell your friend to get a second opinion

 

[ww_mike_d]

There's something I find weird about my friend's bike that I want to ask here.

Adjusting the valves on a motorcycle isn't a huge job because it just means swapping out some small parts called shims.

My friend recently did his 60K mile check himself bcs he wants to save a ton of money. fixing the clutch and working on his motorcycle isn't too hard after all, and he likes doing it.

He checked the clearances in his engine's valves when the engine was cold.

The numbers he got were a little outside the recommended range:

Intake valves: The range should be 0.13 to 0.23, and his was 0.23, 0.19, 0.24, and 0.20.

Exhaust valves: The range should be 0.30 to 0.40, and all four of his were 0.41.

These numbers are all pretty close to the correct range, right? He asked a local shop about it, and the shop said just to leave them as they are, saying the engine "likes them a little loose."

I told him that I find it kind of weird and am wondering if they would notice any difference if we adjusted all the clearances to be in the middle of the recommended range.

Any pro here, please tell us if running the valves this "loose" could cause any problems.

I actually wondering if they're just looking for something to fix to spend money on.

I have to agree with @TwoWheelTherapy.. running your valve a bit loose can cause more engine noise and potentially increase wear on valve train parts due to the extra impact. if it were my bike, i'd personally feel more comfortable having the valves adjusted to fall within the specified range.. especially when in doubt, i would also get a second opinion from a reputable independent shop

cheers

 

[froggy|situation]

Hey just curious since this was from April. Did your friend end up adjusting those valves or did they leave them be after all and how has the bike been running?