Valve clearances time?

[DomP]

My SV is just overdue the first valve clearance check having just clocked 15k. I'm going the strip it back to do this but have read a few people suggesting it rarely if ever needs adjustment at the interval.
I'd rather ride it this time of year than have it in bits so what's the general opinion on this?

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[R1ffR4ff]

I did a lot of reading on this a few weeks ago.I'm around the same @ 16k.Some posts said there's been more problems caused by people doing it incorrectly than if they had left it alone or even suggesting paying a known good Mech to do it.

Also some posts where people have 50k+ on the engines and even after checking they didn't need shimming.

I'm sure there's more SV experienced people on here that can chime in.

If the engine has been well kept and there's no noise from the top-end I would say enjoy the season,I know I am

PS
I have very acute hearing when it comes to engine noises/diagnostics.It comes from running 30+ year old self built engines.You get to know the engines by what they should and shouldn't sound like.

They always said the old CX500s had noisy top-ends,mine didn't once I dressed the tappets and used Moly in them.

[Dave-the-rave]

Check them at the right intervals. If you're lucky they will be OK. You won't know if you don't check them though. At 15000 I had two ex valves tight and two in valves right at tight end of spec. I only knew because I had checked them. Tight valves don't make noise.

Checking them will only take a few hours. Ignore any advice saying ''Hey I checked mine and they were fine so you don't need to check yours''.

[R1ffR4ff]

I didn't mean to imply that they shouldn't be checked just that care should be taken if they need resetting.

HTH

[glang]

Originally Posted by DomP

My SV is just overdue the first valve clearance check having just clocked 15k. I'm going the strip it back to do this but have read a few people suggesting it rarely if ever needs adjustment at the interval.
I'd rather ride it this time of year than have it in bits so what's the general opinion on this?

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If you really havent got time then I see no problem in leaving it for a few thousand miles. However just checking the clearances is a quick job, Id say a couple of hours, maybe 3 with washing yer hands, and then if adjustment is needed you could leave it for later. I wonder if the wear rate is down to riding style, possibly high revs means more rapid clearance change.....

[DomP]

So once checked if adjustment is needed are shims easily avaliable? Anyone got a good guide?

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[R1ffR4ff]

Originally Posted by DomP

So once checked if adjustment is needed are shims easily avaliable? Anyone got a good guide?

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http://www.bluepoof.com/motorcycles/howto/svs_valves/

[Dave-the-rave]

Robinsons for Suzuki shims will take around two days to arrive if they have them in stock...http://www.robinsonsfoundry.co.uk/sh...vehicle_id=114

Wemoto also do shims.

The blueproof link above misses some important info regarding positioning the crank. Most problems seem to arise from not studying the process of which there are two. Checking clearance and adjusting clearance. The crank is not positioned the same way for both processes leading to problems reinstalling camshafts durng the valve adjustment process.

I'd start by reading up first on how to check clearances and leave adjustment until later.

[Bibio]

36k and checked them once (local suzuki dealer) its a pita job unless you have a nice warm garage. it will take about 2hrs to strip and check and if needing any adjustment then in reality its a day to do.

its rare they go out of spec.

suzuki dealer does it all the time, they have the tools. full shim change is around £300, check is around £150. if they drop a bolt down the tunnel then its up to them to sort, likewise if they put the timing chain on wrong etc.etc.

if you do get a dealer to do it tipex a mark on the rocker cover and the crank timing cap so a quick look and you know its been done.

my suzuki dealer has half price workshop rates in the winter so i get them to pick the bike up and drop it off again.

[garynortheast]

Erm, confession time. 76000 miles and never even checked them. I do all my own maintenance but for this I would take the bike to someone with the setup and shims in stock to do the job.