Very Confusing Valve clearance Results?

[Zaroka]

So I'm doing a valve clearance check as my bike sounded a bit tappety, I haven't checked them that long ago, however the engine did have a top end rebuild before the last time I checked, So I just wanted to make sure everything is defiently happy in there, My Bikes maybe done 400 miles between the check i'm doing now and the old one..

Everything looks nice and clean however when using the feeler guage (and maybe I'm just being stupid) I am getting a 0.02mm too fit and 0.09mm?? I know the spec should be between 0.03 and 0.08mm,

So I am very confused on how it can be out of spec in two ways? I will add that 0.09 has quite a lot of drag, whilst 0.02 slides through easily.. so do I need to change anything? If so.. do i change it due to the 0.02 or 0.09 as i have the manual so al know what shim to get.. but two different results??  This bike seems out of spec or just out every time I check it..  This is the left intake that is out, The right intake seems good, however I'm going to double check everything the now and list all the specs here.

Any help appreciated!

[Zaroka]

question.. If 0.09 mm fits then I assume 0.02 will defiantly fit? As it must have a gap bigger than 0.02 if 0.09 is too fit. meaning im out of spec at the 0.09 end and need to correct this?

If this is correct then i have been taking the between min0.03mm and 0.08 mm too literally

If so then all my clearances except the left Exhaust are good, as the REx is 0.02 too 0.09
the RI is 0.02 to 0.08 but 0.09 if i force it through
LI is the same as the RI

But LEx is 0.02 too 0.04mm which is pretty tight apprently however the manual doesn't suggest what shim to increase that gap, it's currently 2.65mm, Or should I just leave it alone, since it is in spec

[Zaroka]

Think I've figure out what to do, and I've been overthinking this.. yay  , Can't seem to delete the post 

[twocool]

I think you may have already figured it all out...but just in case....

Use the "go" - "no go" method...

You really need to use only two feelers...the .03mm and the .09mm
Since the "spec.) on all clearances are .03 ~ .08..

The .03 should always "go"

The .09 should never "go" (no go)

If you get the above results...you are done...nothing more to do.

If the .03 is a "no go"...then your clearance is too small...and you need to remove the existing shim, and install the next thinner shim..and do the test again....(you may have to do the whole deal two times if your valves were really tight)

If the .09mm is a "go"...then your clearance is too big...then you need to remove the existing shim and install the next size thicker...again you must repeat the test again after installing the new size shim to make sure...

Shims come in .05 increments....like 265...270....275 etc....

A 265 shim is actually 2.65 mm...but they call it 265

The factor original shims are sometimes weird sizes  like 273...but the aftermarket and OEM replacements are even .05 increments...

Save all the original shims..the odd sized ones can come in handy to get the clearance you want or need easier...

Note:   many recommend going wide the the exhaust valves.....wider than the factory spec...

The logic is that they tighten up with use and wear..so if you had say a .03 gap...as soon as it wears..it is out of spec!

And the exhaust valves, if too tight will "burn" (big trouble then)

So if I had an .03 exhaust...I would go down a size on the shim and it would then be .08...still in spec

But some would do the same even with say a .05 exhaust...they would go down one shim size and end up with a .10 gap...even though it is over spec.

Loose exhaust valves are way better than too tight.

more notes:

I use a .04 feeler for the small one....I want the .04 to "go"....

.03mm feelers are hard to find...and even harder to use!  Way thin and bendy.

I hope this wasn't more confusing...and that it helps...


Cookie

Think I've figure out what to do, and I've been overthinking this.. yay  , Can't seem to delete the post 

[Zaroka]

Thank you! 
You just confirmed what I had eventually figured out

My intakes are out of spec, both take 0.09mm, and one of my exhausts that was on the tighter end (0.04) it had a 2.65 shim so I put a 2.60 in and now the left and right exhausts are both set at 0.09mm clearance which I think is perfect by what people keep recommending.

As for my intakes though I'll be ordering a 2.60shim for both as atm with there 2.55 shims I get 0.09 in both, but with a 2.60 I get 0.03max. I'm assuming this may widen and become, for example, 0.04 and so on over time? or is it more likely to close up? 

also i have 0.02 too 0.10 guages and the 0.02 is a crumpled mess lol

I think you may have already figured it all out...but just in case....

Use the "go" - "no go" method...

You really need to use only two feelers...the .03mm and the .09mm
Since the "spec.) on all clearances are .03 ~ .08..

The .03 should always "go"

The .09 should never "go" (no go)

If you get the above results...you are done...nothing more to do.

If the .03 is a "no go"...then your clearance is too small...and you need to remove the existing shim, and install the next thinner shim..and do the test again....(you may have to do the whole deal two times if your valves were really tight)

If the .09mm is a "go"...then your clearance is too big...then you need to remove the existing shim and install the next size thicker...again you must repeat the test again after installing the new size shim to make sure...

Shims come in .05 increments....like 265...270....275 etc....

A 265 shim is actually 2.65 mm...but they call it 265

The factor original shims are sometimes weird sizes  like 273...but the aftermarket and OEM replacements are even .05 increments...

Save all the original shims..the odd sized ones can come in handy to get the clearance you want or need easier...

Note:   many recommend going wide the the exhaust valves.....wider than the factory spec...

The logic is that they tighten up with use and wear..so if you had say a .03 gap...as soon as it wears..it is out of spec!

And the exhaust valves, if too tight will "burn" (big trouble then)

So if I had an .03 exhaust...I would go down a size on the shim and it would then be .08...still in spec

But some would do the same even with say a .05 exhaust...they would go down one shim size and end up with a .10 gap...even though it is over spec.

Loose exhaust valves are way better than too tight.

more notes:

I use a .04 feeler for the small one....I want the .04 to "go"....

.03mm feelers are hard to find...and even harder to use!  Way thin and bendy.

I hope this wasn't more confusing...and that it helps...


Cookie

Think I've figure out what to do, and I've been overthinking this.. yay  , Can't seem to delete the post 

[twocool]

Yep...you got it all worked out!   

Cookie

Thank you! 
You just confirmed what I had eventually figured out

My intakes are out of spec, both take 0.09mm, and one of my exhausts that was on the tighter end (0.04) it had a 2.65 shim so I put a 2.60 in and now the left and right exhausts are both set at 0.09mm clearance which I think is perfect by what people keep recommending.

As for my intakes though I'll be ordering a 2.60shim for both as atm with there 2.55 shims I get 0.09 in both, but with a 2.60 I get 0.03max. I'm assuming this may widen and become, for example, 0.04 and so on over time? or is it more likely to close up? 

also i have 0.02 too 0.10 guages and the 0.02 is a crumpled mess lol

I think you may have already figured it all out...but just in case....

Use the "go" - "no go" method...

You really need to use only two feelers...the .03mm and the .09mm
Since the "spec.) on all clearances are .03 ~ .08..

The .03 should always "go"

The .09 should never "go" (no go)

If you get the above results...you are done...nothing more to do.

If the .03 is a "no go"...then your clearance is too small...and you need to remove the existing shim, and install the next thinner shim..and do the test again....(you may have to do the whole deal two times if your valves were really tight)

If the .09mm is a "go"...then your clearance is too big...then you need to remove the existing shim and install the next size thicker...again you must repeat the test again after installing the new size shim to make sure...

Shims come in .05 increments....like 265...270....275 etc....

A 265 shim is actually 2.65 mm...but they call it 265

The factor original shims are sometimes weird sizes  like 273...but the aftermarket and OEM replacements are even .05 increments...

Save all the original shims..the odd sized ones can come in handy to get the clearance you want or need easier...

Note:   many recommend going wide the the exhaust valves.....wider than the factory spec...

The logic is that they tighten up with use and wear..so if you had say a .03 gap...as soon as it wears..it is out of spec!

And the exhaust valves, if too tight will "burn" (big trouble then)

So if I had an .03 exhaust...I would go down a size on the shim and it would then be .08...still in spec

But some would do the same even with say a .05 exhaust...they would go down one shim size and end up with a .10 gap...even though it is over spec.

Loose exhaust valves are way better than too tight.

more notes:

I use a .04 feeler for the small one....I want the .04 to "go"....

.03mm feelers are hard to find...and even harder to use!  Way thin and bendy.

I hope this wasn't more confusing...and that it helps...


Cookie

Think I've figure out what to do, and I've been overthinking this.. yay  , Can't seem to delete the post 

[Zaroka]

Yay!  Al order them tonight, Thank you for help   

Yep...you got it all worked out!   

Cookie

Thank you! 
You just confirmed what I had eventually figured out

My intakes are out of spec, both take 0.09mm, and one of my exhausts that was on the tighter end (0.04) it had a 2.65 shim so I put a 2.60 in and now the left and right exhausts are both set at 0.09mm clearance which I think is perfect by what people keep recommending.

As for my intakes though I'll be ordering a 2.60shim for both as atm with there 2.55 shims I get 0.09 in both, but with a 2.60 I get 0.03max. I'm assuming this may widen and become, for example, 0.04 and so on over time? or is it more likely to close up? 

also i have 0.02 too 0.10 guages and the 0.02 is a crumpled mess lol

I think you may have already figured it all out...but just in case....

Use the "go" - "no go" method...

You really need to use only two feelers...the .03mm and the .09mm
Since the "spec.) on all clearances are .03 ~ .08..

The .03 should always "go"

The .09 should never "go" (no go)

If you get the above results...you are done...nothing more to do.

If the .03 is a "no go"...then your clearance is too small...and you need to remove the existing shim, and install the next thinner shim..and do the test again....(you may have to do the whole deal two times if your valves were really tight)

If the .09mm is a "go"...then your clearance is too big...then you need to remove the existing shim and install the next size thicker...again you must repeat the test again after installing the new size shim to make sure...

Shims come in .05 increments....like 265...270....275 etc....

A 265 shim is actually 2.65 mm...but they call it 265

The factor original shims are sometimes weird sizes  like 273...but the aftermarket and OEM replacements are even .05 increments...

Save all the original shims..the odd sized ones can come in handy to get the clearance you want or need easier...

Note:   many recommend going wide the the exhaust valves.....wider than the factory spec...

The logic is that they tighten up with use and wear..so if you had say a .03 gap...as soon as it wears..it is out of spec!

And the exhaust valves, if too tight will "burn" (big trouble then)

So if I had an .03 exhaust...I would go down a size on the shim and it would then be .08...still in spec

But some would do the same even with say a .05 exhaust...they would go down one shim size and end up with a .10 gap...even though it is over spec.

Loose exhaust valves are way better than too tight.

more notes:

I use a .04 feeler for the small one....I want the .04 to "go"....

.03mm feelers are hard to find...and even harder to use!  Way thin and bendy.

I hope this wasn't more confusing...and that it helps...


Cookie

Think I've figure out what to do, and I've been overthinking this.. yay  , Can't seem to delete the post 

[Joolstacho]

Excellent description Twocool, goodonya.

[Kilted1]

Thank you! 
You just confirmed what I had eventually figured out

My intakes are out of spec, both take 0.09mm, and one of my exhausts that was on the tighter end (0.04) it had a 2.65 shim so I put a 2.60 in and now the left and right exhausts are both set at 0.09mm clearance which I think is perfect by what people keep recommending.

As for my intakes though I'll be ordering a 2.60shim for both as atm with there 2.55 shims I get 0.09 in both, but with a 2.60 I get 0.03max. I'm assuming this may widen and become, for example, 0.04 and so on over time? or is it more likely to close up? 

Since most of the wear happens in the valve seat, clearance at the stem end tends to get tighter over time.  So the advice is to set your gap on the big side to lengthen the interval of having to change anything.