Valve Adjustment

[lubetube]

Having neglected the initial 600 mile service on my bike, and not wanted to shell $300 to a dealer, I would like to attempt the valve check myself.  The How To seems a little light for a job like this.  Is it really that basic, or is there a more extensive guide available.  I will be order a Clymer before attempting this.  Any tips, suggestions?  Should I quit while I'm ahead?

[treybrad]

Just checking them *is* that simple. It'll probably take you 20 minutes to complete the job for the first time assuming they don't need adjusted. All you do is take off the valve cover and then measure the clearance at each valve. If they need adjusted... well.. that's more involved. I have an idea on how to do it, but haven't actually had to, so I'll let someone who has field that one...

trey

[Kerry]

For whether it is worth it to attempt this yourself, see THIS POST by TheMasterRat.

For the tools you need to CHECK the clearances, see THIS POST.

For more info see the following threads:

600 mile valve check

Adjusting The Valves - need more specific info

Valve clearances -- especially BobBroussard's (always good and concise) instructions at the bottom[/list:u]I found all of this stuff by doing a Search for "clearances" and sifting through the generous results listing.

[scorpi0]

I haven't tried myself yet, but since it's on the site, I assume it should be handy:

http://www.gstwin.com/adjust_valves.htm

[Kerry]

I haven't tried myself yet, but since it's on the site, I assume it should be handy:

http://www.gstwin.com/adjust_valves.htm

One note about that nice write-up by Marc from Spain.  He includes 3 things that are NOT necessary for checking or adjusting the valves:

1) Removing the airbox

2) Removing the carbs

3) Inspecting / removing the camchain tensioner[/list:u]If you skip over those parts of his How-To, you'll see how (fairly) simple the whole procedure really is.

Before you can remove the valve cover you WILL need to disconnect the choke cable and the throttle cable (unless you have rerouted it outside of the forks).  But removing the carbs is overkill.

[mp183]

My dealer does not check the valves at first service.  Neither do most other dealers.   I had mine checked and adjusted at 8,000 miles.  Only one was off.   At 14,000 it needed to be done again but I neglected it until 15,500 miles.  Still runs like a top just shy of 18,000 miles.  Should hit 18,000 today.

[tdan553527]

I just bought a Clymer recently myself and did this for the first time, not a hard job at all. Of course, mine didn't need adjusting, but after reading the Clymer and the post on this great site, when the time comes for adjusting, I think I will be able to do that myself too. Good luck.

[rcepluch]

OK I have 7000 miles on my '02 GS and it time to check my valves.  I'm trying to build up the nerve to do this, also I'm getting ready to buy some tools.

My question is, where do you purchase a reasonably priced metric feeler gauge set that includes the .03 mm blade?

I have an inch set that includes: .0015"=.038mm, .002"=.051mm,
.0025"=.064mm, and .003"=.076mm.

I found a metric set, available domesticaly, that includes .04mm, .05mm,
.06mm, .007mm, .08mm, up to 1mm.  http://www.mytoolstore.com/kd/kdfeel01.html

I found only one source for a metric set that included the .03mm blade.
This was at a web site in England.  The price was very expensive,
$18.46USD +VAT(required with import?) plus shipping(expensive?).
I would guess that the cost of this item would be a minimum of $25.
http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/M/W387M.html

So what do you guys do?  What are the options?

I almost forgot.  When I take the vavle cover off do you reuse the gasket?

Thanks.


Bob

[tdan553527]

I bought mine at Harbour Freight Tools for $2.99. If the gasket is good, reuse it.

[rcepluch]

Hi "tdan553527",

Did the gauge from Harbour Freight include the .03mm blade.  Did the other blades go up in .01mm steps. (e.g. .03,.04,.05,.06,.07,.08mm etc.)

Thanks for the reply.


Bob

[tdan553527]

Hello, did include the .03mm. I believe it starts with .01mm increments and as the blades get thicker the increments get larger. Combining two or more together can create just about anything you need.

[Kerry]

Here are some more links with info on tools and tips:

Found a 0.025mm Feeler Gauge online! Woohoo!

KBC Catalog page  Metric feelers -- individually or by the set. (Dismiss the error, then open the PDF)

Harbor Freight: 6" Dial Caliper for $16

Harbor Freight: 6" SAE and Metric Dial Caliper for $20

Valve Shim Tool for Suzuki GS550/750/850 from Dennis Kirk (part #28270)

TIPS: THIS POST and the next few after it[/list:u]

[Cal Price]

Pretty sure you could buy cheaper in U.S. but if you bought from U.K. or any EC/CE country VAT would not apply however P&P (Shipping) might be expensive. It may attract U.S. import duty/tax ??

If you have to get something in U.K. provided it was reasonably available I would get it and send it on if it will go in a padded/jiffy envelope. PM if required.

[rcepluch]

Thanks for the links Kerry.  There seems to be more than enough info on this site to get this job done.  I have my shop manuals also, so it is just a matter of diving in.

Thanks for the offer to help out Cal Price.  We old guys have to stick together

That feeler gauge from England (see link in my other post) is perfect, and priced reasonalbly close to the .025mm gauge listed in Kerry's post.  The english gauge starts at .03mm and goes up to .10mm in .01 increments. After that it goes up to .50mm in .05mm increments.  For a total of 13 blades.  

I have not been able to find a similar meter gauge set in the USA.  The closet I've come is a set with similar steps but starting at .04mm.

I will contact the company in the UK and see what postage would be and ask if they would know about possible import tax.   By the time I reimbursed you the postage from the company to you and then the postage from you to me it may be just as cheap to order direct. I don't know.  Thanks again for offering I may take you up on it.


Bob