Valve change & tappet (shim) check.

[rictus01]

Thought I'd post this here as although not an SV it's virtual the same, so will enable anyone wanting to do a valve change or valve check to use it.

OK first up the reason for the valve change.

Yep a couple of bent exhaust valves.


what you'll need (for a valve change that is).


Valve stem seals ( just incase you'd not seen them before)


inner spring.


outer spring.


top cap.


valve spring compressor fitted.


collits fitted



Valve spring compressor removed and both valves retained under spring pressure.


Shims fitted ( note: these are the bits you change to adjust clearance)



fitting the "bucket" over the valve (and shim)


cam fitted for valve checking.



Valve check (shim check/clearance check)

First off you'll need access this can be done in the bike by removing the rocker cover, however the following example is to a head removed from the bike, but the checking method is exactly the same, make sure the engine is Cold before checking.

you'll need a feeler gauge such as these


find out what range the allowable gap should be (in this case it was 0.10 -0.20 mm inlet and 0.20 - 0.30 mm exhaust).

choose a cam to start with (either is fine), read your manual to tell you which timing mark on the rotor you need to aline to get it correctly timed for checking.

Here you can see the cam lobe is pointing upwards, the checking point is opposite the lobe at the bottom.


select the lower of the permitted range blades between the cam and bucket


if it fits; then work up using each blade on the feeler gauge until you get to one which doesn't fit, the size blade before will be the gap size.
( If the lowest one doesn't fit you'll need a new shim/ likewise if the largest size one is above the permitted range, you'll also need a new shim)

Don't forget to check both lobes on each cam.


then set the timing for the other cam (refer to manual) and check in the same way you've just used.


and that's all there is to it....................well done, you've just checked your valve clearances..........

Hope it's of some help to someone.

Cheers Mark.

tis very interesting and informative.
still never do it myself though, way too advanced for me and my trusty bed spanners.

[rictus01]

That's the whole point, it really is that easy, checking the clearances simple and won't take long, as long as you don't do it with a hammer you can't even break anything (famous last words I know).

People do seem to be afraid of this job, perhaps because it's seen as "inside" the engine, which was one of the reasons for this guide.

Cheers Mark.

thats my philosophy rictus, ''inside the engine''. the NO GO area.
anything else then i like to think i'm fairly confident.
would love to be a bike mechanics mate for a few weeks and pick it all up. you offering, cheaprates considered.

[rictus01]

Been doing it for years, well actually I get others to do the work and just guide them throw the tricky bits but find yourself down this way, bring the bits, and I'll see what can be sorted.

Cheers Mark.

Brilliant. That is all.

[cbay]

Do you still have the pictures?

[rictus01]

The source photo's are in these two albums

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...4&l=bdd1e7d013


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...4&l=427fe91527

Cheers Mark.

[yorkie_chris]

Whassat the DRZ engine?

Any chance you could re-upload the pictures? Thanks.