Valve clearances. sv650s 99
 

Over the weekend I did a few things on my bike, replaced the dodgy Reg/Rec that when I put my lights on drained the battery. Swapped the rear tyre as you could see the pattern of the wire in the rubber, and even wiped all the oil off the rim.
Also I took the opportunity to check the valve clearances. Some from what I know should have been done about 40,000 mile ago as checking them at 69700 miles is so I'm informed a bit late.
After downloading the manual off the internet as I couldn't find my own, I set about working on the bike. Took all the bits and things like the tank off so I could get to rear head easy. Took off the head and realise the photos I had was terrible and gave Jambo a call to confirm a few things, cheers dude.
The results are.

Rear head Exhaust clearance - 0.15mm (should be 0.20-0.30mm)
Rear head Inlet clearance - 0.14mm (should be 0.10-0.20mm)

Next weekend I plan to look at the front clearances as I ran out of time, and the front is much more of a challenge to get to.

Now I had planned to get a mate of mine to do this work, but I spose I could have a go. So any tips... I know I need to get a micrometer to measure the shims. And that I need to ensure I only turn the engine anti-clockwise. But is the anything else that might put me off?

I have photos if anyone else wants to know how to do it, and unlike the manual the are in focus and in colour.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

Grinch,
Were both the inlet, and both the exhaust clearances the same? It's not impossible, but it's quite common to get different readings from each.

Altering the clearances is something best read through from a manual and then discussed, What you'll get here is lots of useful tips without making sure you've got all the essentials covered.

For what it's worth, work on one head at a time, measure everything twice if in any doubt what so ever. And be certain that you know how to get everything lined up properly before you take it apart.

Also: Don't step on the tray full of shims and buckets before you've measured them meaning you have to guess what went where, and don't drop anything down into the engine.

Jambo

Re: Valve clearances.
 

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=128141

that'll give you some idea what's under there.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

A quick enquiry, how did your cam-followers (bucket type things) look? Any wear?

Re: Valve clearances.
 

Yep I double checked them both and I got the same values, did think one was 0.01 different but further checks showed I was wrong. As you said on the phone, double check everything.

Need to buy some more tools to do the rest.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

Cheers, having a look at it now.

Nope, no wear that I could see, though I have yet to check the fronts. So far it just looks like its only the rear exhaust shims that needs replacing.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

Ok, just wondering - I had to have one cam follower replaced at 30,000 miles (front) and another one will need replacing at 45,000 miles (rear, involves removing the shock according to my dad). 1999 SV's apparently had a bad batch of this part....as did TL's.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

Well I haven't checked the front yet, its next weekends job. But so far its not back considering the mileage and abuse that bike has had off me.

Re: Valve clearances.
 

It does not

Re: Valve clearances. sv650s 99
 

Do you really mean the front? I found the rear was more fiddly personally, with the rad loosened and pulled forwards the front was pretty easy on mine.