Valve Clearances - How 'Ard?

Thanks for all the replies - never got round to it this weekend - spent too much time riding!

Think I'll do it next weekend, and change the plugs while I'm at it.

Cheers,

Billy.

[timwilky]

Checking is very easy, simply remove the covers. and slide feeler gauges under the cams when they are off the followers to check the clearance.

It is adjusting (Very rarely needed) that is the awkward bit.

If you've got enough mechanical knowledge to check the clearances then you are pretty much 75% of the way to reshimming them if needed.

As someone else pointed out, the shims sit under the buckets which requires cam removal. Once you fitted the correct shims and reinstalled the cams and timed them up, turn the engine over very slowly by hand to check that every thing is working as it should before firing it up. Then refit the cam cover etc and start on the other pot.

Stupid question - where do you get shims and how do they come, is it like a bag with different sizes or do have to order the size you need?

you have to order the size you need.

I have just checked mine. The first time they have ever been done.

So, after 25,000 miles, 3 track days, countless wheelies and fun, regular oil changes, they are all within spec, 23 ex and 12 in.

Brilliant engines these SV's

I am sure not all SV's are so good, so still worth checking them to be sure, but it is an opportunity to do the plugs, air filter and balance while you are in there and it gives you peace of mind!


I am going to do mine again in about 10,000 miles to see how much they have moved - hopefully nothing!

Originally Posted by SV225

Stupid question - where do you get shims and how do they come, is it like a bag with different sizes or do have to order the size you need?

You pop into your local Suzuki dealership and get them exchanged there and then if you keep the parts guy sweet (Always look after your parts man - he has the power to put you on the bus for as long as he likes).

You may find that SV shims are the same diameter as possibly Yamaha/Kawasaki/Honda/Triumph shims, in which case go to whatever bike shop is closest that stocks them. Last time I did shims was on a Yamaha and I found out Triumph ones are the same diameter - my local shop charges 4 quid each exchange.

A guy on Ebay does them cheaper with next day delivery:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...ype=osi_widget

You will need to check what diameter you need though, sorry I dont know for the SV.

Thanks for all the info, my bike will be coming up to 30,000 miles soon and I want to do as much as possible myself, think I'll have a go at valves if they need doing.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

Once you fitted the correct shims and reinstalled the cams and timed them up, turn the engine over very slowly by hand to check that every thing is working as it should before firing it up.

This has already been said, but if it hadn't this would have been the key point I would have made. If you do anything to do with timing turn it over by hand to check everything is ok. If it isn't you should feel it before doing too much damage. Some ejit's just thumb the starter - that's a really bad idea.