Valve clearance check

[RonK]

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Normally at 16,000 miles is the scheduled valve clearance check time. Has anyone done that yet? Have they changed from factory setting? Will they start sounding "funny" if one or two are out of spec?

 

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[djh3]

OK I may be a bit dense. But when I look at the parts breakdown of the valve train, it appears it is a hyd push rod on a hyd lifter. So far as I can see, there aint no way to "adjust" the valves. Unless they are using them adjustable tubes like a certain motor company.

[RonK]

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I only know the owner's manual says on page 9-3 under valve clearance to "Check and adjust valve clearance when engine is cold." This is marked at every 16000 miles.

 

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[Rafterd]

I do remember us discussing about how ludicrous it was to build this engine without hydraulic lifters. But I think that was before the bike was out and that’s what the owners manual said. But the FSM states hydraulic lifters and there are no adjustments.

[starbagger]

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Normally at 16,000 miles is the scheduled valve clearance check time. Has anyone done that yet? Have they changed from factory setting? Will they start sounding "funny" if one or two are out of spec?

 

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Folks,

The lifters are hydralic. But the lifter actuates one rocker arm that actuates two valves. The check and adjust is to ensure valve to valve at the rocker arm are equal. There is one adjuster on rocker arm to set clearence.

My experience on two Road Stars which use the same set up is that it is worth checking the clearence the first time at 16,000 to 20,000.

Usually no adjustment is needed.

If an adjustment is needed then check again after 16,000 to 20,000.

 

My first Road Star never needed adjustment. After first check I figured I would wait until any change in sound. When I checked them at 110,000 they still did not need adjustment.

Same with my second Road Star. Currently has 80,000+ on it and has only had the first check done.

 

Regular oil changes with good quality synthetic oil should keep these motors running for a long time.

[Freebird]

I looked through the service manual a little yesterday but did not find any instructions to adjust the valves. It's probably in there but I just haven't found it yet. I did find where it specified the 16,000 mile interval. I agree with you though. I will check mine at around 16,000 but then less often after that.

[Du-Rron]

I looked through the service manual a little yesterday but did not find any instructions to adjust the valves. It's probably in there but I just haven't found it yet. I did find where it specified the 16,000 mile interval. I agree with you though. I will check mine at around 16,000 but then less often after that.

 

It is on page 3-5 of the Service Manual.

 

[Freebird]

Thank you. I figured it was in there somewhere. I just skipped too far ahead and was in the engine rebuild section. Looks much easier than the shim and bucket setup on the RSV.

[Rafterd]

Thank you. I figured it was in there somewhere. I just skipped too far ahead and was in the engine rebuild section. Looks much easier than the shim and bucket setup on the RSV.

 

 

I hate the shim and bucket setup. I started doing those in the late 70’s on the Honda CBX and the 750’s. They do seem to stay adjusted longer, but a big PITA when having to adjust them.

[Du-Rron]

I hate the shim and bucket setup. I started doing those in the late 70’s on the Honda CBX and the 750’s. They do seem to stay adjusted longer, but a big PITA when having to adjust them.

 

Depends on what you are working on. The "no tools necessary", "sliding rocker-arm" Kawasaki vn900, is one of the quickest and easiest valve adjustments you will ever do. Adjustment intervals are at 16K miles as well and hold much longer.

 

[captdrac]

The service manual states the Venture has hydraulic lifters. It also states "However, there are times when the valve clearance needs to be adjusted manually. If this is the case, adjust the valves using the adjusting screw on the rocker arm.". What does Yamaha mean "...there are times."? I don't think it would be any worst than my previous RSV. I like performing tasks on my cycle because I'm sorta anal about it being put together and done correctly, and I like knowing how to and doing it. I've had bad experiences w/ dealer service departments returning my cycle with missing and incorrectly fastened parts (including my current 2018 Venture... another story).