Step by Step - How to measuring & adjust valve clearances
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
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As part of the 16000 mile service for the project bike, its time to take a look at the valve clearances. This was originally a job I was going to pay someone to do, but having taken a look online, it wasn't as hard as I originally thought. The video is meant as a guide to what i did. I am not a mechanic, and the video is to show you an overview of the steps involved. If, once you have watched the video, and you choose to tackle your own valve clearance, you do so at your own risk, i thoroughly recommend getting the correct tools and a manual and follow the manual precisely, whilst not difficult, if you don't follow the manual and mess this up, it can and will destroy your engine. Good luck.
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Great video. I don't understand the tolerance thing. And where can I order new shims please. If needed
Wemoto sells the shims but make sure you pick up the correct tool, its dirt cheap and will saves time faffing about with cable ties.
@@GTsGarage I think I wrecked the engine. I took the cam tensioner out to check it, I noticed that the engine needed to be tdc so I moved it with a spanner and felt a crunching noise, put the tension back in and it won't start. Would it wreck the valves if the chain moved😪
Chris Debono In short I don't know as I haven't ever had to do a cam chain tension. Before touching the bike again, my advise would be to phone a local garage and get a trained mechanics advice on the next step. Hopefully the engine isn't wrecked, let me know how you get on.
@@tamar5261 What bike do you have and what manuals are you using?
Hi thanks for the reply. It's a Yamaha xj 600. I think the engine is wrecked. I took the cam chain tensioner out to check it. My wife called me for lunch, a mate came around and thought it would be fun to nick the bike, I foolishly left the keys in the garage door. He tried to start the bike, it just turned over and made a horrible noise, now I can't turn the engine by hand more than 180 degrees. He's absolutely gutted for me. But what are mates for 😊
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. You did make one mistake my wife said the most important thing is I don't forget our wedding anniversary 😂
Mrmaxstorey was somehow able to show how the zip tie actually went in below the valve. Helped a lot. Great video. Keep up the good work. Thank you.
the perfect tutorial ! I'm currently doing the thing down in the garage... thanks
Great tutorial, I really like your videos. The measuring order for each shim cylinder is taken in the engines firing order: 1-2-4-3👍
+Ian Price Thanks Ian, as always appreciate the comment and clarification, we learn something every day fella. Take it easy and ride safe.
GTs Garage can this be done in the bike? I've got a KZ750 4 cylinder
Youve made it look so simple! I reckon with the right tools anyone even i could have a go!
inferior125riderHD There are going to be things I wouldn't want to tackle, but given enough research and youtube how to videos, everyone at least knows what is involved and can make a decision based on their level of comfort.
Good video. Just did my shims on my Suzuki GS850. Very similar setup. FYI, the reason you don't want to rotate the crank without a shim in every bucket is that the edges of the bucket will gouge the lobes on the cam. You only want the lobes to make contact with the flat surface of the shims.
jsandidge1 Cheers for the feedback and letting me know.. did you use the zip tie method?
Fantastic tutorial. Very easy to follow and well explained.
Thanks Mate !
I was really afraid to start this procedure (never opened an engine in my life ! ) but your video is really crystal clear !
gonna try this tomorrow !
+coxbow Hi, yeah measuring them is quite easy, the changing can be fiddling and the method I use isn't by any stretch of the imagination the approved way, but it works on the 600. Not sure if its the same on the 900 though. The other thing to remember is once you take the valve cover off, you might find you need to replace the gasket and getting the gasket and valve cover back on can be a whole lot more frustration LOL. Take care and ride safe, the good weather is just round the corner. ... apparently.
don`t need to change the gasket, I was able to take if out without a problem, but I need to go deeper, got 9/9.5 of pressure on 3 cylinders and only 7.5 on the far right one, and it doesn`t fire... I was hopping for a simple valve adjustment... hopping now for a "simple" cracked valve... you got me started anyway ;-)
+coxbow Sounds like your elbows deep in the engine now... good luck Sir, and give me an update once you find the issue.
Nicely done GT. Clear and concise, just how instructions should be :)
Copperfish Cheers :) Were you in Farnham about 2 weeks ago?
As far as the 'cable tie method'? I'm sorry, I didn't see what you were doing in there. In the spark plug hole?
The rest was great information and I understood it well! Thank you!
Enjoyed watching this, never done shims before, this will help me, thanks for sharing ,great video
Glad you found it useful, would recommend the correct tool, it will save you a shed load of messing around, and will be safer than playing around with a plastic zip tie. There are so many really good step by step guides on the net, print one off, or photocopy the pages in the manual and work through it.. Make sure the area your working in is as clean as possible, and keep anything that can drop in to the nooks and crannies as far away as possible.
Brilliant stuff GT, never seen the cable tie method before, worked a treat. I think if you rotate the engine without the shim, the valve drops into the bore, definitely a bastard!
yankee doodle Thanks Chris, got the impression it was something you wouldn't want to do. How's the season going down there, still quiet?
Its picked up quite a lot, but quieter than it should be :)
Great vid going to try this now myself
Excellent, just make sure you get a manual, the correct tool and follow the manual step by step using the video to compliment it. The job isn't that difficult, just slow methodical and if at any point you get frustrated, walk away :) Good luck
Exactly how - does the plastic tool stop the bucket from coming up? I think it has more to do with gravity?
Very interesting, I think the old Hornet I owned had buckets which go over the shims so you had to take the cams out if you needed to change. I like the mechanism small/older bikes use where you just tighten the screw with the lock nut lol a lot easier.
Bikers Quest Like the CG125, now there is a system that works, tighten a couple of screws, jobs a good'un..
A lot like the Jaguar DOHC inline six. Remove the cams.
thanks, very helpful. One question and it might be a noob question, but why not take the camshafts off? isn't that easier to work or does it make the job much harder?
very nice video....tks a lot. My next "adventure" will be to replace one of the valve shim buckets....
I'm guessing the tie strap is supposed to get stuck in the valve seat so the valve doesn't close all the way creating a clearance between the lobe and shim enough to remove it?
I didn't see that, in your intro, you distinguished between shims on top of buckets (like this engine or a BMW k100) and shims under buckets (like a kawasaki sherpa and a SV650). The first are easy to do but the latter require you to remove the cam to get the shims out. When i did the Sherpa, i zip tied the timing chain to the cam sprocket and then released the cam from the journals. This gave me enough room to get the buckets out and lift the shims.
I did it this way (even though it might not meet with a mechanics approval ) because i was scared of messing up the timing when replacing the cam. Yes, i did have the workshop manual and as a double check counted off the chain links from the other cam.
Is this a really mickey mouse way of doing it?
For anyone else doing a Sherpa KLH250, be VERY CAREFUL when resetting the chain tensioner arm.
great video very helpful !
I would love to see how you do a valve clearance inspection/shim on your Triumph Trophy, if you ever get to it. I found just getting to the valves was quite painful, and there are a lot of obstructions even after you take the tank off.
Just about to check mine....your video was handy dandy..Thanks
Excellent, hope you find the zip tie method a success, as long as you remember never to turn to turn it over with one of the disks out should be easy enough. Good luck
Good job
The valve adjustment order (@9:22) is 1243 because of the firing order. The usual firing order for 4 cylinder engines is 1243 or 1342.
Thanks for the clarification.
Measure the old shim with a micrometer as the old shim will have worn and the number on the shim is the size it was from new.
it usually is the valve seat that wears down after time, the shim material itself i hard and should last long time.
I've measured. Absolutely no variance from the stamped measurement. My valve seats are wearing down, each time I need slightly thinner shims on the few that need swapping.
Yep - I did this and you're totally correct.
Yeah I've been thinking the air box boots might need replacing .. either way I have to replace the nipple in the carbs someone broke t a didn't want to fix it while they worked on it the bike only has 20.000 on it is it likely for piston rings to go that quick on a bike ??
Good vid GT's
+Andy's Motorcycle Obsessions Thanks Andy, appreciated.
What the running meet or firing order
Helps when an engine is on a bench.
Certainly does, trying to do that with the engine in the frame, just adds to the frustration levels.
on my chart the installed pad numbers go by 5s but my pads are like 184 185 192 and 194..am i missing something?
Question: my CBR600RR has .007-.009" for inlet and .010-.012 for exhaust clearance. A few measure .007-.0075 and .010-.0105. Should i adjust the shim size if tight but within spec? Do shims only come in .002 increments? If yes, then any adjustment would provide excessive clearance.
Not gonna lie , im taking my bird to the Yamaha experts at Blackstock powersports
Id only shit the bed and wreck my bike,
Great video brother
Smart mechanic
well done what a great video
What is the firing order ?
gts... removal and instalation ... more concernd about how to remove and install the throttle cables after a compleat disassembly and rebuild... im having problems with my number 1 plug running rich and flooding ??? gas in air box not much tho .... I'm kinda worried the float might be stuck if that's the case how worried should I be about hydrolocking my engine from that ??? and do you have a fb
+Mike Polzin happy to photocopy the bits of the manual if this would be helpful, just let me know. What makes you think the float is sticking, did you open the carbs to clean? Jay Camberley is my FB account..
alright thanks .. just to clarify the pilot screw what dose that do .. that's the 9ne that I thought I had to count and would that thing even likely need to be adjusted if the caps are on
my number one plug is dry black and the bike has low power and clicks a bit up top ..ii baught a bench sync and a compression tester .. so would you by chance know what the compression is suppose to be cold and warm . And my oil light flickers questionable if it's burning oil??? And by the way I appreciate your time helping out I got robbed for 1600! $$$ on this bike to not have it running right .. so I'm left to try and figure it out myself so I'll take any help I can get and do have quiet a few questions ... but just to fill you in I baught a extra head just in case because some head work was done and is questionable I've cleaned it up pretty good so far but some of the valve stems are black I have them currently sitting in berryman s carb cleaner and it do remove some of the tarnished black off the stems but I don't know if it's normal for them to be black up there ??.. and I just order 4 main and pilot jets oring and my nipple(witch is why I'm rebuilding them ) and all my seals.. I live in mn and am at a stall until it warms up but I am prepared to do a compleat rebuild if I have to just hoping it's not my piston rings .. but I haven't noticed Any Smoke errr. I'll leave it at that for now
+Mike Polzin Mike, if you have already signed up to the XJRider forum, please do so... The information already on the site and the expertise on th site are second to know.. I did a search for compression on there and found this, seems to be close to what you, well worth working through the thread for tips. The compression pressure (at sea level) is 156PSI, they don't give hot and cold numbers.
+Mike Polzin Just to confirm the spark is black and dry, the manual says this would cause the bike to misfire and give a weak spark. This is caused by over rich fuel/air mixture, faulty choke or blocked air filter.
+Mike Polzin have sent you a private message Sir
The bike misses at higher rpms
So would be in line with what the manual says, that could be to do with the air-filter having fuel in?
I know sod all about mechanics at this level,,so can you explaine what the zippy tie is for,,,and whats its purpose pls.
Mark..
Hi Mark, suggest you ignore the zip tie method as it has risks and on reflection isnt worth it. just buy the tool to do it properly. With the correct tool and a manual, this job is easy to do.. the name of the tool and the part number is in the manual and isnt expensive. Good luck and let me know how you get on
Can anyone tell me what engine this is? Thanks.
Nice video buddy, very well explained, I've never used the zip tie method myself but it seems worth a try if I ever have to change shims again, RSM8.
Skeggy Cruiser Thanks Skeggy, are you planning to be at the Bulldog this year?
GTs Garage I wish buddy, I'm afraid it's that thing called family time away with the Mrs and kids at Thetford,
Skeggy Cruiser Bah, hope you guys have a great time :)
Please bro. What are the instruments for calculating a bearing clearance for Kawasaki ZX6r
thx buddy.great video.
Glad it helped
What engine is this for in the video? Would this apply to a 1986 Yamaha Radian?
Done plenty of 'Tappets', but never touched 'Shims'.
More research needed on the Kwaka Zed, but thanks for the tips GT.
Ive always used a screwdriver for checking piston up/down...
>:)
MrFalloffalot That's what a lot of this home mechanics comes down to, research, and knowing what's involved. thanks for the feedback, really appreciated.
thank you for the video can you have video about engine performance test?
quick question, when you are done are you suppose to put it back to Top dead center? or does that matter?
Apologies for the late reply, been up to me ears in stuff to do, did you get this sorted?
No problem! ive asked a few people since then, answer i got was that "it shouldnt matter as long as the crank was turning ccw and i didnt jump time". The bike is 1982 yamaha xj750.I would still like your opinion thanks
You are putting the zip the between the valve and its seat? (Threw the spark plug hole?) Is this correct?
I used the zip tie method as i didn't have the correct tool, but would just get the tool, it doesn't cost a lot of money, and removes a lot of the trial and error. There is a really good write up in the manual which should definitely be used as the primary source of information, the video should be used as a visual cue.
Great advice.
this may be a stupid question but, is this how it's done on all motorcycles? cause I've got a 04 Yamaha yzf r1 that needs done.
The process I think are similar, but the differences are important to get right.. If you going to do the job yourself, get a manual, and follow it to the letter, also get the right tools. Doing this incorrectly can cause irreparable damage to your engine, so lots of research and again use the manual specific to the bike.. good luck.
Thank you for the video sir! Nice job. God bles
Welcome, glad you found it useful
do you have a video on removing the carbs ??
+Mike Polzin Hi Mike, unfortunately no, but am happy to scan in the instructions in the manual if needed. was it the removal and installation you needed or the strip down and cleaning?
GT - well done, I watch all your vids. Do you have any spare shims I buy off you? I need (2) 255's, (1) 260 (1) 265??? That cable tie thing is a massive pain but it does work!!!
Hey 1973Karma, I just checked and the only one I can find is a 290, I will keep looking and if I find the ones you need, i'll leave a message here. The zip tie method definitely works, but would still recommend the proper tool for the job, plus its really not that expensive to buy. Just make sure you have a manual, and most important, follow it step by step. Videos are great for getting eyes on and seeing what has to be done, but they are no substitute for a manual, especially when it could result in you having to buy a new engine. Good luck and let me know how you get on..
Thanks GTs............I successfully did the job! 5 of my shims were out of tolerance and they were all slightly too tight so I got a load of shims from here and there. I used a digital vernea and some basic maths. The Haynes manual was quite useful. I also cleaned out the carbs. The bike no longer makes a tapping noise when it's hot, the idle is so smooth and it can do 80mph in 3rd gear. (private land) I still have a little backfire now and again but I have some really bad and ill fitting Black Widow exhausts. Keep rocking.!!!!!
I sure wish I watched this before I spent 15 bucks on a valve tool! Anyway what will happen if you turn the crank without a shim in there? Just curious
Oh never mind I see
every thing I have read and heard, its something that should never be done. Nothing can replace the proper tool, and I would recommend using the proper tool every time, i used the zip tie method as an experiment, but the consequences of messing up, would have been disastrous.
Great job!
Michal Sitek Thanks Michal, always appreciate feedback
Good knowledgable video for anyone wondering how to do a bucket and shim measurement.
What "Job"!! He didn`t do any job. he didn`t show how to adjust the valve if it to open or to closed, just show number on the plate, now what!!
well done!
Cheers Scott.
Will the zip tie trick work with Suzuki gs series bikes?
I lifted the trick from another XJ600 video, so couldn't say if it would work or not. The proper tool isn't that expansive, and would significantly reduce the amount of bodgery need to complete the task. Given the outcome should it all go wrong, I recommend if you want to have a go at doing the job, buy the tool, and the bike specific manual and following the procedure to the letter i That way your less likely to end up with a expensive paperweight at the end of the experience. Good luck fella,, ride safe
Wow !!! Thank you !!!
Your welcome, just make sure you follow the guidelines in your manual, work in a sterile area, and even though I used a plastic zip tie, the proper tool is cheap as chips.. would recommend using it.
i want cheverolet beat petrol typeet setting for shim
Yeah I'm hoping it just needs to be benched out .... chocked is in working order airbox is good... dose it telly out how to adjust the pilot screw
+Mike Polzin here is a write up of a carb overhaul, lots of pics and goes through it step by step www.xjrider.com/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6922&p=74971&hilit=carb+idle+screw#p74971. The manual only says before adjusting the idle screw to screw it all the way in counting the rotations. The work you way back by the number, that gives you the default setting.
Yes I understood that OK so my concern is I had someone do some work on the carbs if it's set wrong would it be the same as the rest of them and if is off then how do I know how to set it .. and like I said I don't know at this time exactly what it is just wanna be as clear as I can lol
Honda 700 pineer lifters
Hope the XJ900 engine looks like the 600 by the way...
Thanks Pro
Will this work for 2006?
It may, but if your going to undertake tasks like this, its definitely worth buying a manual, the Haynes are really good and go through it step by step, you may even be able to get a copy from xjrider.com. Whilst not particularly difficult to do, done wrong, it would be very expensive to fix.
hello -the measurements are the same with the 400 diversion 92 -93 mod ?
can you just replace all the shims with out having to measure them and just buy new original sized shims???
I think you have to measure them, i haven't seen or heard anyone advising to just replace them
You need to measure the clearances to know which shims to replace(or not,hopefully if in tolerance) and what size shims to replace them with.
Tengo una Yamaha XJ 600 año 1998 y sin querer le perdí el tiempo y hoy no enciende.. Como puedo volver a ponerlo a punto
I'll keep this in mind😜
sixthisoverdrive I will expect to see the video fella, hope all is well over there.
It is, and I hope all is well with you as well.
cant we make it simple by making over head cam adjustable by adjusting it's height? obliviously valve wear limit is not that bigger to bring cam shaft out of top cover ..it will be in 0.5 max
The cable tie method looks like a huge pain in the ass... Is it easier to use a valve shim tool?
Much easier to use the tool, and a lot less risk of something going wrong. Would recommend the right tools for the trade.
Thanks man. I'll buy the tool then.
Trying doing camshaft adjust on ZX14 no room it's a nightmare! Even after 10,000 miles from new their still on target work of 3 hrs for nothing
Aye, some bikes are a nightmare, but fair play on the Kawasaki, the build quality is cracking, even if access isn't so good.
Could you remove the spark plugs (easier rotation), put the bike in 5th gear, and rotate the wheel until each one of the 4 sets of cams come to that 2 and 10 position in turn, so you don't have to remove the side cover?
Not sure to be honest, I just followed the process in the manual.
You should be able to, yeah. I feel like that's how you do it when the the engine is still in the bike
Thank you for the video going to do this to my drz400s should be easier with mine since it's a 1 cylinder
Your welcome, just make sure you follow the guidelines in your manual, work in a sterile area, and even though I used a plastic zip tie, the proper tool is cheap as chips.. would recommend using it
what if the clearance has moved down!!!?
Morning Mike, what do you mean the clearance has moved down? If the clearance measured by the gauge is more or less than the tolerance stated in the manual, the shim needs to be changed to one that is within.
GTs Garage. morning !! well I've got my motor out getting ready for a complete rebuild .. and I started with my 1 intake valve I ran through. .004-.006 none passed through but the .003inc passed throught? I haven't done this before so what's confusing me is that for whatever reason my brain is saying that if anything the valve gap should only go up in size with wear. when I refuse to the chart it wants me to replace my 250shim. with a 245.. .. haven't been able to find much information on this issue but I did come across unrelated thred that mentioned the valve seat may be pulling back .. so just try to do what I gotta do to make it count .. been through a lot with the bike and haven't had the greats luck with findn a good mechanic/service. .. so I'm just handling it myself from here on out it has ..
Will take a look at the manual this evening and refresh my memory. The only thing of importance here, is do not lower shim bucket without a shim in it.. Everything else is just checking and double checking numbers. Will get back to you this evening.
GTs Garage awesome of you this what I came up with this morning
#1i-.003/.08 #1E-i can not get a gauge through it?
#2i-.004/10mm #2E.008/.20
#3i-.003/.08 #2E-.008/.20
#4i-.004/.10 #4E-.0020/.05 that's all I know at the moment .. o. the number one exhaust I was unable to get any feeler gaugers to pass and I thought you said you can't go past .05 so that has me confused but those are my reading ..
Hi Mike, apologies for the late reply, here is a very well written article with snapshots how to take the readings, worth double checking the video and the description tally. www.xjrider.com/viewtopic.php?f=115&t=5260
so much easier with a £15 tool , shoving a cable tie between your valve head and the seat is really not a good idea , its going to bend the valve stem if you arent careful
Absolutely right, using the correct tool is always the best way forward.
I do not understand. You said that you did not want to mess with the engine for fear it would not start. Yet you are going to explain how to do intricate work on the engine? This after you found help on the web? Do you see how this can be very confusing? I have to say that before anyone adjust valves, DO NOT rely on this video alone.
Lol I'll bring mine to you then son lol
Roy Webb the trick is to have many cups of tea lol
Lol and then be in the bog alday lol
GTs Garage I dont like tea but thats not going to stop me bringing mine to you ether lol
LOL
hmm, this work was is hard
I need to do this to my bike. check out my page. I have a few videos riding my 93 seca II
Gotta be more English clear, especially on the numbers. I can't understanding wt u saying there.