Valves and Carbs....103,000 miles

[JerryK]

My 2002 Midnight has 103,000 on it and I'm leaking a little oil from valve covers I think and carb boots are checked very bad and I want to replace them too. Valves have never been touched and I would like that properly checked and set. I want carbs set up too. Would like to do this soon as I want to be back riding soon....I'm in Troy, Ohio and looking for the right answer to get this done by who? I did have a new Stator installed this past year and trust my Jap bike mechanic but he's not a Venture expert and swears I should have him fix leaks and just keep riding. Can haul or ride to right person for repair no problem.

[Wade 2000]

My mechanic in Lancaster OH says not to adjust valves till the valve cover gaskets need replaced. So I'd say for sure get them checked and adjusted. I'd say get the boots and go to the maintainance day and learn how to do the valve adjust. Learn and save:mo money:

[RedRider]

Likely, your boots are fine. There will be cracks in them, but they are laminated. Inside rubber, metal, outside rubber. If you are concerned with them, spray some starter fluid on them while the engine is idling. If the RPMs change, then they need replaced. I would expect no change will occur.

 

Time to do valves for sure. Freebird maintenance day is a good place to get that done. Get the replacement gaskets ahead of time. Likely there will be shims available for swap at MD.

 

RR

[Miles]

My mechanic in Lancaster OH says not to adjust valves till the valve cover gaskets need replaced.

 

Wade, if your mechanic did indeed tell you that the valves on a 2nd gen Venture/RS do not need to be checked and/or adjusted until the valve cover gaskets need to be replaced...I would be looking for a new mechanic, becasuse your mechanic has things backwards.

 

Example, what if your valve cover gaskets do not need to be replaced for 250,000 miles? Are you going to avoid checking the valves for adjustment until such time?

 

I just checked my vaslves on my '06 RSMTD, and of the 16 valves...9 were out of specs, and needed t be adjusted. I just made the adjustment yesterday, replacing the shims on those 9 valves. And the valve cover gaskets were not leaking, and the bike has 40,000 miles on it. I am the second owner, bought it in Sept. 2011, and I do not beleive the valves have ever been adjusted before this. So this was a first time adjustment, and the valve cover gaskets were fine, but...I did install new gaskets as part of the job.

 

Do not wait until the gasket are leaking to adjust or check on your valves. I know it is a big job, whew...I know, but if it is done correctly, perfectly, then you will have many miles of a smooth running engine before needing to do it again.

[Seaking]

I agree with Miles.. I had mine first checked at 56,000 miles and they all needed adjustment.. at 110,000 miles, some needed adjustments. The valve check and adjustment process is not all that difficult (thought seemingly daunting the first time you do it). After the third or fourth time you do it, you'll find it easy to do..

 

By waiting too long to check the valves, at worst you risk damaging your engine and at best, not getting the best performance out of it. Even if they do not require adjustment, its a good time for some deep cleaning around the area (check valve stems, mine were grunged up badly and got 10% better fuel mileage after cleaning them). And you'll have the peace of mind that your valve system is good to go for another stretch of riding..

 

Someone showed me a little trick that if you put a bare knuckle on your tank as your riding and you feel a high frequency buzz, it may well indicate your valves are in need of adjustment.. After I adjusted mine, the buzz was gone, and the bike ran so much nice afterwards.

 

Best of luck!

[MiCarl]

Someone showed me a little trick that if you put a bare knuckle on your tank as your riding and you feel a high frequency buzz, it may well indicate your valves are in need of adjustment.. After I adjusted mine, the buzz was gone, and the bike ran so much nice afterwards.

 

I wouldn't go based on that. I have no idea what you felt, but tight valves are quiet valves and a problem waiting to happen.

 

Here's what I tell my customers about valve lash check (at normal interval):

 

"The Japanese manufacturers do an excellent job of machining the valves and heads. It's quite likely that they don't need adjustment. If you're the one in a hundred or so that does need it you'll be in for a major repair bill if we don't find it."

 

You can't go based on performance either. The performance will be best just before it burns a valve, but you probably wouldn't notice the improvement. Right after you ruin a valve the performance loss will be quite noticeable.

[Wade 2000]

Wade, if your mechanic did indeed tell you that the valves on a 2nd gen Venture/RS do not need to be checked and/or adjusted until the valve cover gaskets need to be replaced...I would be looking for a new mechanic, becasuse your mechanic has things backwards.

 

Example, what if your valve cover gaskets do not need to be replaced for 250,000 miles? Are you going to avoid checking the valves for adjustment until such time?

 

I just checked my vaslves on my '06 RSMTD, and of the 16 valves...9 were out of specs, and needed t be adjusted. I just made the adjustment yesterday, replacing the shims on those 9 valves. And the valve cover gaskets were not leaking, and the bike has 40,000 miles on it. I am the second owner, bought it in Sept. 2011, and I do not beleive the valves have ever been adjusted before this. So this was a first time adjustment, and the valve cover gaskets were fine, but...I did install new gaskets as part of the job.

 

Do not wait until the gasket are leaking to adjust or check on your valves. I know it is a big job, whew...I know, but if it is done correctly, perfectly, then you will have many miles of a smooth running engine before needing to do it again.

I could never wait that long. I always tend to probably overdo the maintainance. I only have around 28,000 on my RSV. I am gonna try to make Freebirds MD and get some pointers. That is though an actual quote from a Yamaha Mech

[Miles]

I am gonna try to make Freebirds MD and get some pointers.

 

 

Wade, I will meet you at Freebirds' MD, as I will be riding out from the Seattle area. Given that you live on Ohio...you better be there, or we will come hunt you down and drag you over to Dons'.

[Wade 2000]

Wade, I will meet you at Freebirds' MD, as I will be riding out from the Seattle area. Given that you live on Ohio...you better be there, or we will come hunt you down and drag you over to Dons'.

 

Yep if you can make it I guess there's no excuse for me missing it. Probably a 3 hr. ride

[RandyR]

unless there's something special planned at MD this year, valves are not something that's normally done there. Its pushing the time-to-complete clock. And taking a chance you might need a shim that isn't in the available kit.

[ragtop69gs]

My '01 had 54000 miles when the valves were checked, 5 were out of spec to the tight side, 4 of the 5 were exhaust valves. I replaced the carb boots at the same time, they looked bad but none were cracked all the way through. The inner metal sleeve does not run the entire length, there is a 3/4" area in the center that's rubber only, I'd guess to isolate vibration.

A valve adjustment is typically out of the scope of a Maintenance day project at Don's unless you can get some members to commit to helping, it's at least an all day job, could be longer.

 

You need to find someone to fix your mechanic, because his advice is out of adjustment !

[Wade 2000]

My '01 had 54000 miles when the valves were checked, 5 were out of spec to the tight side, 4 of the 5 were exhaust valves. I replaced the carb boots at the same time, they looked bad but none were cracked all the way through. The inner metal sleeve does not run the entire length, there is a 3/4" area in the center that's rubber only, I'd guess to isolate vibration.

A valve adjustment is typically out of the scope of a Maintenance day project at Don's unless you can get some members to commit to helping, it's at least an all day job, could be longer.

 

You need to find someone to fix your mechanic, because his advice is out of adjustment !

 

I kinda misspoke when I said "My" mech he is the mech at the store where I get parts on occasion. I do almost all my own maintenance the only time I will hire out is if time is an issue. I plan to do the valves this summer once my garage is finished (still building). I read the write up in the tech section doesn't sound too bad, but I still am gonna pick everyone's brain at MD. You can't never have too much info.

[ragtop69gs]

I kinda misspoke when I said "My" mech he is the mech at the store where I get parts on occasion. I do almost all my own maintenance the only time I will hire out is if time is an issue. I plan to do the valves this summer once my garage is finished (still building). I read the write up in the tech section doesn't sound too bad, but I still am gonna pick everyone's brain at MD. You can't never have too much info.

 

I would normally agree with you, until I read that darkside tire post today, that would almost qualify as "Too much info" My brain hurt after reading the whole post

[Wade 2000]

I would normally agree with you, until I read that darkside tire post today, that would almost qualify as "Too much info" My brain hurt after reading the whole post

 

I read it ALL also. A lot of info but I was really considering Darksiding and that kinda lays every argument for and against out there with real scientific And physiological facts, not just "my experience" or " I know a guy". Make your own educated decision.

[usedcyclesales]

I just spoke to a Dealer the other day because of knock I'm hearing and thinking it was the valves needing adjusting the first thing out of his mouth was USUALLY He never needs to adjust those until about 100K on bike Claims Factory adjustment on those is to the TIGHT side and Rarely if at all do they need adjustment until 100 K and IF A SERVICE MANAGER is turning away work and being honest ya know it must be true

[wizard]

Only if he knows what he's talking about. I have found that the clearances tighten up on these valves, they don't loosen up.

[skydoc_17]

Well G,

I have seen more than one Yamaha Service Manager turn away a Valve Adjustment because of the potential of bustin' up a LOT of plastic parts to get to the Valve Covers on a Second Gen. I personally would NOT let a V4 Yamaha motor go 100,000 miles before a Valve Adjustment. The local Yamaha Dealer in my area just flat won't do that service. He sends you to the next dealership over, 50 miles away. Unless you adjust a LOT of valves, it would be hard for a dealer mechanic to make any REAL money for the dealership on adjusting valves. Besides that, if you burn a valve at 99000 miles, that dealer is going to make a boatload of labor money on the top end rebuild, and machine work it will require to repair that motor! Because the Valve Spring pulls the valve deeper into the cylinder head as time goes on, it's not a matter of "if" I will burn a valve, it's a matter of "when" will I burn a valve. In my opinion, this is the "perfect" job to be done by the motorcycle owner. You can take your time, be very careful removing the plastic, check and recheck the valves as many times as needed to be sure they are correct, all WITHOUT watching the clock!

I can understand that there are some people that don't have the time, or don't have a place, or are not handy with tools. These are the people that keep dealerships running. I'm OK with these people, at least they know their limitations. But by all means, don't kid yourself into thinking that unadjusted valves, unsynced Carbs., underinflated tires, and unchanged oil and brake fluid are not signs of a neglected motorcycle. I personally don't brag about how many coats of wax I have on my bike, or the number of "safety chrome" do dads I have either. I do brag about the last time I changed the brake fluid, or my Final Drive Oil, or my fork oil....well you get the idea.

Earl

[RandyR]

I just spoke to a Dealer the other day because of knock I'm hearing and thinking it was the valves needing adjusting the first thing out of his mouth was USUALLY He never needs to adjust those until about 100K on bike Claims Factory adjustment on those is to the TIGHT side and Rarely if at all do they need adjustment until 100 K and IF A SERVICE MANAGER is turning away work and being honest ya know it must be true

 

These valves get tighter over time (in general), so I'd say that dealer was smoking something. That they get tighter took some time to sink in for me. The valves seat deeper into the heads over time. Shims don't loosen up. = tighter. Not as easy to adjust as nut tightened tappets, but they don't need adjusting as often, and they don't come loose by mistake like tappets can do.

[2WHEELSFORME]

Has anyone ever really burnt a valve?

[jmking42]

I did my valves a few months ago at 34,000 ish miles.Had to adjust 9 of them.Technically,3of those were within spec but they were right at the limit.I adjusted them all to the middle of the range.Wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.Thanks to skydoc 17 for the use of the special tool and the shim kit.

[kkent66]

Does anyone know when freebirds MD is? How does MD work??

[Jayceesfolly]

MD at Don's is Saturday June 8th. Most riders show up on Thur or Fri. Free camping at Don's if you have a tent or camper. He has plenty of room. On Saturday we do any maintenance work that is needed to be done(and can be completed in a couple of hours) No engine swaps or heavy work like that but tires, oil changes, fluid changes , safety chrome installed, new brakes etc.. There are plenty of members there to help you with whatever you want to do to your bike.

 

Go to the calendar at the top of this page and click on it ......on the lower right change to June and click on "go". Check the 8th and sign up. There is a dinner on Fri night for all that attend.

 

Jim

[kkent66]

Awesome - thanks!

[RSTDdog]

Has anyone ever really burnt a valve?

 

I have seen a burnt valve from a RSV with 96,000 miles. My friend owns a shop and keeps it around. He worked for the local dealership through several owners for 35 plus years and owns his own shop now. I worked with him back in the early 90's. Only person around here besides me I trust and I would let work on my bike.

 

I have seen it personally and more apt to happen on air cooled bikes. Its why when a bike runs poorly , the first thing you do is check compression and spark. Trust me, you will only clean the carburetors three times on a bike once to learn this lesson.

[Squidley]

FWIW...

If anyone is seriously thinking about doing valve adjustments at Don's, get there atleast 1 day early if not 2. Doing the valves on any Venture, 1st or 2nd gen is a time consuming job and not for the novice. Make sure you have an adjustment kit with a good variety of shims in it. I have done roughly 7 valve adjustments and it takes several hours to tear it down, check them, change shims if needed and put it back together....