How tight is too tight (valves)

[intergalactic]

So I checked the valves on my new (to me) bike with 17,500 miles on the odometer.  Both the exhaust valves are between .002 and .004" clearance. LH intake is at .002".  RH intake is at .001"

I didn't have any shims lying around, so I reassembled the bike. I'd rather run that intake at .003, but I have no access to shims on a Sunday night.

Any thoughts on how safe it is to run at the lower limit for clearance?

[DoD#i]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=48018.msg539555#msg539555

Intake not a big deal - intake not too subject to burning. It's gets cooled by the fuel air coming in.

Exhaust should run on the loose end (several people go beyond spec slightly) so it spends more time on the seat, cooling, less sticking out in the exhaust gas flow getting hot.

You should be fine, IMHO.

[intergalactic]

Cool, thanks. I guess my iffy idle is something else.  I still haven't swapped in 40 pilots, so that's next. Along with an '08 petcock.

[The Buddha]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=48018.msg539555#msg539555

Intake not a big deal - intake not too subject to burning. It's gets cooled by the fuel air coming in.

Exhaust should run on the loose end (several people go beyond spec slightly) so it spends more time on the seat, cooling, less sticking out in the exhaust gas flow getting hot.

You should be fine, IMHO.

Uh ... well ... in theory ... but they put shitty material in the intakes, so much so that kawi's the intakes will wear so damn fast ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[The Buddha]

Cool, thanks. I guess my iffy idle is something else.  I still haven't swapped in 40 pilots, so that's next. Along with an '08 petcock.

I have run em under the clearance for long long long periods of time. 20K+. No ill effects. Mine always wore bigger, I knew that so I ran it tight. I have run near 0 found that and usually a tight valve will act up 5 seconds after start up and start behaving fine in ~5 mins. It will want to stall in that time unless you keep revving it with the throttle.

I wont recomend running it tight, but right @ the lower limit is OK. Valves dissipate heat @ contact with the seat/head ... you dont want to short change that.
But at 1 thou vs 3 thou, its such a close thing, it make no diff. I ran it tight, so it will be quieter, and it will help me when other crap starts banging around. I dont have to hear it over this clacking.
Cool.
Buddha.

[intergalactic]

No kidding, my bike is loud. I suspect it it the exhaust valves a a touch over .003" making a racket.

I guess I need an exhaust system to compete. And 145 jets... and a K&N lunchbox......

Cool, thanks. I guess my iffy idle is something else.  I still haven't swapped in 40 pilots, so that's next. Along with an '08 petcock.

I have run em under the clearance for long long long periods of time. 20K+. No ill effects. Mine always wore bigger, I knew that so I ran it tight. I have run near 0 found that and usually a tight valve will act up 5 seconds after start up and start behaving fine in ~5 mins. It will want to stall in that time unless you keep revving it with the throttle.

I wont recomend running it tight, but right @ the lower limit is OK. Valves dissipate heat @ contact with the seat/head ... you dont want to short change that.
But at 1 thou vs 3 thou, its such a close thing, it make no diff. I ran it tight, so it will be quieter, and it will help me when other crap starts banging around. I dont have to hear it over this clacking.
Cool.
Buddha.