Hello everyone,
I just got earlier today from awesome canyon ride and my 2002 GS500 performed beautifully! But the whole time I heard a clicking sound come from the motor. It became louder and more apparent on the way home. A buddy of mine I went with said it might be the valves, but he's not sure.
Any thoughts? This sound comes when idle and in motion.
Any advice is appreciated.
Thanks,
Chandra
Did the clicking start on this particular ride? Have you had it tuned up or any valve work done since 2002? I purchased a used 2002 last season and riding it since then I've heard a clicking that is gradually getting louder. I believe this is due to the wearing of the valve "shims". The process of replacing the worn shims with properly fitting ones is a fairly staight forward process and can be done with the help of Kerry's Valve Adjustment video.
The clicking sound has been around for a week or two, but certainly not as loud as it was today. Valve shims huh?
How many miles on it now? A valve adjustment needs to be performed every 4,000 miles.
Also, how's the oil level? If there's not enough oil, there's not enough oil to be pumped up to the head where the valves are. Oil should be checked weekly; and before, and after, good long ride.
is it a constant click .. like click click click click .. or is it a sparatec kidna of click .. like click ....click....click .. mine dose this but i'v heard its probly the timing chain
It's about 8500 miles on the odom. And no... I haven't checked the oil yet. I will do so ASAP. and yes... it is a constant click.
Do yo know when the last valve adjustment was done?
No... I bought this bike used from a dealer when it had about 6800 miles on the odometer on December 18, 2005. The dealer has no maintenance records so I have no idea when was the last time a valve adjustment was done. Sounds like I need to have one done ASAP.
Yes. :thumb:
Man... I just read through the valve adjustment how-to posted on the main site. Yikes... I'm not that mechanically literate so I'll have to eat the high priced service at the dealer this time. But I need to learn how to do it on my own... else I'll be spending $300+ everytime I do an oil change. :(
Any video's on how to do a valve job on a GS500? What kind of tools would I need? I have a basic 100 pc mechanics tool set that I use on cars for basic maintenance. How long does an valve adjustment take?
There are valve adjustment kits that are being shipped around; they come with a video that you could download somewhere on this board: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13610.msg246252#msg246252
Tools needed: 10mm for the side panels, 12mm wrench for the fuel tank, pliers for the clamps on the fuel lines, 6mm allen wrench for the valve cover. Then you need the special tools: valve depression tool (I prefer a Kawasaki tool ~$15) and a set of feeler guages. 19mm wrench for rotating the crank, and a 7mm socket for the ignition cover.
I have a copy of Kerry's how-to video hosted on my web server. You can download it HERE (http://www2.newnanutilities.org/~ewhitley1/vids/GS500ValveAdjustment.wmv).
It's really big, though. Definitely not 56K-friendly. Just do a right-click-save.
As for tools, you'll need a set of feeler gauges to measure the valve clearance. Most others you probably already have. You'll need a metric socket set and a metric allen-wrench set (one or two sizes of each really, but I'd just get a set if you don't have one). You'll also need something to take out your spark plugs (socket or wrench), and a pair of pliers and a flat-head screwdriver for removing hoses. A very small jeweler's screwdriver and and magnet-on-a-stick are not required but good for removing the shims. If you want to verify the thicknesses of the shims, a caliper is a would-be-nice. If you have to replace any shims, I think you can buy them individually or buy a set.
I'm inclined to agree with everyone that it's probably the valves. If I can approximate onomatopoeia in text, it would sound like a tickatickatickaticka....
If the sounds is deeper, more of a clanking sound like a diesel engine makes, then you desperately need oil. Any time you hear engine noise, you should check the oil. As a matter of fact, you should check the oil regularly anyway, since these bikes apparently use it like crazy. Not that I've had any experience with mine, as it's still not quite roadworthy yet (as soon as my chain arrives and my carbs are synched).
Quote from: Admiral Crunch on February 12, 2006, 08:51:32 PM
I have a copy of Kerry's how-to video hosted on my web server. You can download it....
It's really big, though. Definitely not 56K-friendly. Just do a right-click-save.
Wow, admiral, that's quite a fat pipe for a small utility company's website! I've almost pegged out my 6Mbit cable modem connection!
I just watched that video. Wow... it explains the whole process really well. I just need a set of feeler gauges and that cresent tool he uses. Oh and a set of valve shims...
And honestly... this begs the question... is this typical for motorcycles to require a valve adjustment every 4000 miles? That is one major pain in the rear to deal with everytime I do an oil change. Do most/all other motorcycles require these frequent tune-ups?
Chandra
Edit:
Just asked a buddy of mine with a Honda 600RR... valve adjustments every 15,000 miles. Now that sounds reasonable. Why the huge difference in maintenance schedules?
Our motor is designed back in '77. Don't feel bad, Ducati's still need valve adjustments every 3000. You could have a '78 Triumph Bonnieville and do a valve adjustment every week.
I've read some people say the more frequent valve checks were needed when the bike was fairly new, but as the miles got added, the valves "settled down" and needed adjustment much less frequently. They stopped being so diligent about checking as often. Maybe up to 8000 miles per check. I don't recall how many miles that was, though. Probably at least 15K.
Egaeus, yeah, it's a small utility company, but we're also a local cable company and cable modem ISP. :icon_mrgreen:
Update:
Just checked the motor oil first thing this morning. It's on the L mark so I need to put oil in it TODAY... but I'm headed out to work soon! :(
Any recommended oils? Does Suzuki make their own special oil for their bikes?
Quote from: scratch on February 13, 2006, 07:55:02 AM
Our motor is designed back in '77. Don't feel bad, Ducati's still need valve adjustments every 3000. You could have a '78 Triumph Bonnieville and do a valve adjustment every week.
Nah, Duc's need an adjustment every 6000 miles, and it's really only a check, with an adjustment if necessary. Most of the air cooled 2-valve-per Duc engines don't even need to be adjusted until the 12k mile mark. Duc's air cooled 2 valvers are as simple as the GS's engine, but with a bit more pep. The air cooled 4-valvers get out of spec more often than the two valvers, but those are nothing compared to the liquid cooled 4 valvers. Those things are crap for adjustments. Hard to do and MUST be done every 6k miles.
Check my GSes valves every 4000 miles? Come on...
As per the manual: http://www.gstwin.com/every4000miles.htm
It's only a suggestion. You can check your valves any time you want. And do your oil changes anytime you want. Heck, check your chain slack anytime you want.
Actually it probably does not need adjustment every 4000 miles - but it does need checking. I had a GS 450 from 1980 through about 1984 that needed the valves adjusted at the first service and then was still in spec at over 15,000 miles. On the other hand, my 2001 GS500 has needed at least one valve adjusted every 4000 miles.
If you ride the bike harder do you need to adjust the valves more often?
Hi Chandra.hp,
Where do you live?
One of us I'm sure would help you in person with your valve adjustment. If you are in Central PA, I can help.
Best wishes,
Todd
I'm in Los Angeles, Southern California. I don't know of anyone on this board from that area.
If someone in LA doesn't mind showing me how it's done... I'm more than willing to try. I just put a quart and a half of oil in. That sound is gone... wow... so my bike was just lacking oil. I'll check the oil every couple of days to prevent this from happening again.
And since there is a long weekend coming up... I'll see if I can get my hands on some feeler gauges and inspect the valves. It's a big relief knowing that I don't have to shell out nearly $300 in the next few days.
Chandra