A bit confused about valves?

[Rallyfan]

Hi all,

With 30K mikes on the motor the valves were checked after 5K and found well within spec -- in fact they're still on the wider side as is preferred by many owners.

Realistically, at this engine age how often should I be checking? Can I go 6K?

[Jimbob]

The service manual recommends every 6k km's

[Rallyfan]

Thanks, yes. However I'm wondering what people with similar miles on their engines have actually experienced? I've gone 25% over 6k km, for example, and the valves are still near max wide spec.

[gsJack]

Checked my 97 GS at 8k intervals which was twice a year and kept them at Suzuki specs.  One exhaust valve was down to a 215 min shim at 80k miles.

Went to wider exhaust valve spec at about 40k miles on my 02 GS and the bike really didn't need another shim change although I did change them once more before 100k miles.  Min shim was a 245 at 100k miles.

Intake valves didn't need any shim changes and remained at .001-.003" Suzuki spec for 80k and 100k miles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSvalvelogs_zpscvcef42y.jpg

[Big Rich]

Think about it this way Rally, valves are happy at the wide side of the tolerance. Being below that wide side is still good, near the lower extreme (and under) is bad..... that's when the engine starts taking a beating. If your valves are at the high side of the tolerance, they aren't likely to chew themselves down in a mere 3k miles - after 6k miles they might lose a little clearance or none at all.

If you decide to check them every 6k and they are still wide, then no problems. If you check them and the tolerances changed considerably, you might check them a little sooner next time.

[Suzuki Stevo]

The higher the average Rpm you use every day changes the outcome of the service interval, in cars lottsa Rpm shortens timing belt life also.

[The Buddha]

30k you could check it every oil change. I'd guess you wont need to adjust it till past 50k.
That's what I normally see on some of those high milers I see off and on, but my 50K needed one by 15k. But that one was always an odd puppy. Valves would go tight and loose, I've adjusted 3-4 times and went from 260, 265 and 270 and 265 and 260 on 1 valve, the other one seemed to fluctuate 250-255, but other ones - usually slowly wore loose.
I also had shim wear in 1 spot, maybe cos I had a scratch on that cam. The scratch slowly wore to being less and less visible over the miles. I measure a 260 and read 2.58 mm. Anyway a normal GS needs checked 30-50K every 3500. In fact you may get over 50K before a shim swap.
Cool.
Buddha.

[bmf]

How on earth did you scratch a cam Buddha ?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[The Buddha]

How on earth did you scratch a cam Buddha ?

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You know the answer ...
Previous owner ... LOL.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Rallyfan]

Thanks guys. I'll probably check again in another 6K miles if I'm curious, or sooner if I have symptoms.