Valve Clearances, Alternator Cover woes and a Paint Job

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

It's called PJ1 Engine and Case Paint. I got it from M&P.

Sick squid you say? Got to be worth a punt. Thanks mate.

[ScottishRawker]

not sure if my valves have been done

hmm its at about 9000 miles or so and its a 55 plate. should they need done or not?

Originally Posted by ScottishRawker

not sure if my valves have been done

hmm its at about 9000 miles or so and its a 55 plate. should they need done or not?

Mr Suzuki says....

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

Every 15,000 miles - Or 24 Months
Check the Valve Clearances

Whether you wanna ignore the 24 months bit or not is up to you. But an 06 plate is approaching 24 months old. Don't think anyone looking at your service book at a later date would ask until the bikes done over 15K. If you ask a dealer I expect they'll tel you 15K and ignore the 24 months bit. Folk please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Ruffy]

IMHO, valve clearances are the most overdone maintenance tasks in a schedule. How many times does a check result in having to adjust 'em? BlueFlame, after all you agro, were the clearances OK at 19k?

If you keep decent, fresh oil in your engine and it doesn't live in the red zone, then generally, I don't believe you'll have much of a problem. I don't worry much about valve clearances and, nowadays, I usually check every other time compared with mfr's recommendations.




(No doubt I've just jinxed myself and a major blow-up's on its way!)

[Blue Flame]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

IMHO, valve clearances are the most overdone maintenance tasks in a schedule. How many times does a check result in having to adjust 'em? BlueFlame, after all you agro, were the clearances OK at 19k?

Yeah the clearances were fine. It was a 'peace of mind' check for me. Would have been still at it if I had to dig that bit further I think.

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

Yeah the clearances were fine. It was a 'peace of mind' check for me. Would have been still at it if I had to dig that bit further I think.

Glad to hear everything was OK. Peace of mind is always worth having!

Interesting to note there was no adjustment to do. As you said, you'll race through it next time, and if you keep on top of oil & filter changes, I'd be surprised if there will be any adjustment required then.

Oh it's a kitten! I thought it was something out of Star Wars!


Calendar checks are just as important as mileage ones for some service items. If you did 1000 miles a year you wouldn't leave the same oil in there for 4 years or not look at the condition of your fuel hoses for example, but valve clearances can wait until you've covered the distance.

[Blue Flame]

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

.......Calendar checks are just as important as mileage ones for some service items. If you did 1000 miles a year you wouldn't leave the same oil in there for 4 years or not look at the condition of your fuel hoses for example, but valve clearances can wait until you've covered the distance.

OK. So what's the general consensus about the replace!! commands in the manual.

EG Haynes is telling me to renew my brake hoses and the fuel hoses regardless of the apparent condition as the bike is now 4 years old !! My initial thoughts are that the brake hoses are a must as I really really really do not want them to suddenly go on me despite them apearing to be OK, but as for the fuel hoses and some of the other stuff they bang on about, if it aint broke or worn then why replace it?

[admin]

Originally Posted by Blue Flame

OK. So what's the general consensus about the replace!! commands in the manual.

EG Haynes is telling me to renew my brake hoses and the fuel hoses regardless of the apparent condition as the bike is now 4 years old !! My initial thoughts are that the brake hoses are a must as I really really really do not want them to suddenly go on me despite them apearing to be OK, but as for the fuel hoses and some of the other stuff they bang on about, if it aint broke or worn then why replace it?

In 30 odd years of riding i've never replaced a fuel hose. Just check them for cracks as rubber does perish.

As for brake lines. I would replace those. The original rubber ones may not show cracks but they do get softer with time resulting in a spongey feel. The effect is gradual and not obvious. A good quality aftermarket hose is well worth the money.

My 2p

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

Oh it's a kitten! I thought it was something out of Star Wars!

Nope, it's a dog, believe it or not! For the record, a Lhasa Apso, this one hand reared by my wife after her mother rejected her (the puppy, not the wife). We also reckon they look a bit like Ewoks.