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Periodic Valve Check

1232 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  slakwhere
So I opened up my 02 for a valve clearance check tonight. I was wondering is there anything I should look at while the thing is apart? I'm changing the plugs but that's all I can come up with right now.

I got the valve covers off and the valve train exposed for a check I'm just waiting until the morning when the thing is cold to check the tolerances. I had to ride it today to work so it' wasn't not stone cold tonight.

I have the factory manual so the process is not an issue, just looking for some advice for things to go over while the bike is broken down to this point. It's an 02N with around 16,500 on the clock. The bike has been ridden semi-hard for the last 5,000mi, pulling double duty as a daily commuter and weekend warrior. I'm not sure of the previous owner's habits but they were both women so I'm guessing it was ridden easy and maintained decently.

I just want to look out for my investment, I plan on keeping this bike for a while and want it to remain a rock solid dependable daily rider. Thanks in advance.
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before you finish up, clean the air filter & sync the carbs, probably a good time to do the rest of your maintenance too,

read the chart in the owners manual and see what is recommended
a good writeup on how to sync carbs
http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/howto/svs_carb_sync/
and some pictures I took when I synced my carb, includes home made manometer
http://picasaweb.google.com/No.vonD/CarbSyncPics#
I made this to sync my carbs.

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Your setup makes me thirsty
Bet you a $1. there fine. :)
I made this to sync my carbs.

That thing is slick.

Let's see if I have this right:
You take two glass bottles each with their own hose going to the vacuum fittings on a separate carb. Link the two bottles together with another hose to allow the system to be equalized to itself. Add the same amount of motor oil to either side. Fiddle with carbs until the oil level in either side remains at the same level.
Bet you a $1. there fine. :)

Hate to say it but, I'm going to have to take your $1.

Front Exhaust

Lft .178mm Rt .203mm

Front Intake

Lft .102mm Rt .102mm


Rear Intake
OK :) Mine is at 49k,and still in check.
BUT,they could have been set before i bought it used.
Bet you a $1. there fine. :)

Hate to say it but, I'm going to have to take your $1.

Front Exhaust

Lft .178mm Rt .203mm

Front Intake

Lft .102mm Rt .102mm


Rear Intake

Lft .102mm Rt .076mm


Rear Exhaust

Lft .229mm Rt .152mm



My question would be, what are the factory shim sizes in the bike? Are there such things as factory shim sizes? Mainly, I don't want to have to pull the bike apart just to see what shims are in there just so I can order them and wait with my bike sitting apart. Answer me this oh great SV Nation.
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there is no such thing as "factory shim sizes". each valvetrain is built based on the specific valve, seat, guide and their clearance. mark the cam chains, pull the cams, take the shims measurements, drive the ones you wanna replace down to the shop. most shops will exchange shims for you if you ask nicely.
there is no such thing as "factory shim sizes". each valvetrain is built based on the specific valve, seat, guide and their clearance. mark the cam chains, pull the cams, take the shims measurements, drive the ones you wanna replace down to the shop. most shops will exchange shims for you if you ask nicely.
I was hoping for an easy solution. I've seen shim kits for around for $40 online that come with multiple shim sizes. Do you think this would be a better option than just swapping the shims?

I'm trying to work around some difficulties while still doing this myself. First problem, I have no other transportation. I need to be able to have the bike apart for no more than sat and sun. This makes things a pain. If you had to guess... what would the factory shim sizes be between??
a shim kit MIGHT work for what you need, assuming it has enough of the sizes you need... realistically, if you start Saturday morning you should have it all apart on saturday in enough time to get to the shop for shims, get it together on sunday with plenty of time.

as for factory shim sizes, i have no idea. sorry :(
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