|
12-13-2015, 05:36 PM | #1 |
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FL, GA, NC
Posts: 771
|
Valve Clearance Check
I have read the CSC tutorial on adjusting the valves....
but it looks like half the bike needs to be disassembled. I can do it....but... Do I really need to check them at 500 miles as in the Owner's Manual? Or can I wait until the 1,000 mile oil change? CSC told me they check them as part of the setup. Do they really check them? Thanks. jb
__________________
2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........ |
|
12-13-2015, 10:34 PM | #2 |
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warshington
Posts: 928
|
I checked mine first and only time around 2000 miles. Have around 6200 on it now. Whats that saying " If it isn't broke , don't break it Rob", so if it starts and runs good you should be OK. I am
lazy , rj
__________________
Live Zong, and Prosper |
|
12-14-2015, 12:02 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Milpitas, CA. USA
Posts: 775
|
I'm not going to say yes or no.
But I will give you this tip, pay attention to which body fastener came from which hole, primarily the Allen head ones. Some are white/silver colored and some have a green coating. After I did mine the first time, I noticed the next day I was looking down at different colored screws on the tank. One type is magnetic, the other type is not, so likely a stainless alloy. Mechanically it doesn't matter which goes where. Another tip is to spread a single colored bed sheet on the ground under the bike. All those little Phillips screws seem to like to jump around and flee when you try to install them. The sheet helps to keep them from rolling/bounding away and the single color makes them easier to spot. By the way, the points on those little things can actually penetrate clear in to the patella. They do thread back out easily though. Regarding the sheet, yes, I have an old one I keep in the garage just for that purpose for working on all my vehicles. My wife freaked out the first time she saw that, not even noticing it didn't match any of the household bed linen. I'm not completely stupid. |
|
12-14-2015, 10:01 AM | #4 | |
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sardis, BC, Canada
Posts: 25,977
|
Quote:
__________________
Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer |
|
|
12-14-2015, 12:34 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
|
I agree with Rob. You can certainly wait until 1,000 miles.
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
|
12-14-2015, 03:03 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 1,004
|
When you're almost ready to do your valve check, run the fuel tank almost empty. It will be much lighter and easier to remove.
__________________
Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol |
|
12-14-2015, 02:35 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FL, GA, NC
Posts: 771
|
Thanks for the tips.
What I meant to ask is: Those of you that have completed a valve clearance check, at what mileage did you do it, and how far was the clearance out of "spec", if any? Thanks. jb
__________________
2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........ |
|
12-14-2015, 02:41 PM | #8 | |
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 117
|
Quote:
Thanks
__________________
Dave |
|
|
12-14-2015, 02:58 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: White Mtns. NH
Posts: 488
|
Cold outside
__________________
2016 Versys 650 LT, 2015 RX3 Red, 2011 Ural GearUp, |
|
12-15-2015, 12:26 AM | #10 | |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Milpitas, CA. USA
Posts: 775
|
Quote:
Although I don't have near the miles that Spud has, I do ride mine on the freeway at "considerable" speed. Upon delivery, I checked the clearances and found one (right exhaust, I think) was a snug .04mm so I opened it just a bit. My set has .04, .05, .06 and then larger. The other 3 were less than .06 but more than .04. Continuing out of curiosity I kept checking about every 250 miles. I expected some change at 250, but none needed it, so as break in concluded and rpm's ran higher I expected to see change at 500. Nope. Same at 750, too. At 1000 there was measureable change, but ALL FOUR were still well within spec. No adjustment needed. I will do them again after 2500 miles have passed, and at that time I will decide whether to do them at 2.5 or 5k mile intervals. The gage set I've had for so many decades I don't remember where I got it, and the company doesn't show up on a web search. And for you who scoff, mid 50's IS COLD in coastal California. I can see my toes turning blue through the sandal mesh. My triple shot caramel mocha latte' don't stay hot for long in the cup holder, either. We have it rough, too. |
|
|
12-15-2015, 12:50 AM | #11 | |
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: FL, GA, NC
Posts: 771
|
Quote:
That's what I was looking for. jb
__________________
2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........ |
|
|
12-15-2015, 03:25 AM | #12 | |
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 25,054
|
Quote:
http://www.harborfreight.com/32-piec...uge-32214.html Rub it in, Jay. It snowed 5 inches in Spudville yesterday.
__________________
Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894 |
|
|
12-15-2015, 05:52 PM | #13 | |
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 366
|
Quote:
I'll probably go ahead and drain the tank (hello siphon) so I can do my 500mi valve check over the holidays - the bike seems slow to start after its been sitting around for a bit. |
|
|
12-15-2015, 06:35 PM | #14 |
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 343
|
Out of the two I've checked both were less than .04mm on both intakes at 500 miles. The exhausts were still a little over .06 so I left them to tighten.
|
|
12-16-2015, 10:01 AM | #15 |
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Milpitas, CA. USA
Posts: 775
|
Getting intimate.
One more thing, JB. On the day you do decide to do the valves for the first time, I suggest setting aside an entire day and take your time.
While you are taking off the pieces to access the valves, look around at everything else while it's exposed. Check that the harness from the rear brake switch is clear of the exhaust pipe, check hose clamps are snug, things like that. This forum is a wellspring of info. Make notes of what you've read & learned so you will remember what to check on your day of getting intimate with your Zong. To quote Woodlandsprite, that does sound a bit dirty. But in the good way. |
|
|
|
|
|