How do I know if I need a valve adjustment

[rakhan]

So recently got a new to me Super Tenere, its a 2012 with 32,000 miles on it. Great condition lots of accessories, but I am not sure if it has had a valve adjustment. There are no records of this being done. Is there a way to check and see if its been done. This is a service that is a bit above my technical no how.

Thanks for any help

 

[gv550]

Without service records or access to the previous owner I would assume the valve check has never been done. You are already 6000 miles past the recommended interval so I'd be doing it now, but I am kinda anal about such things, other may not be. The T12 on display at Barbers with 200k miles has never had the valves checked.

 

[rakhan]

Ok I will go ahead and get it done then, forgive my ignorance I know nothing about valve adjustments, is this something that will damage the bike if not done at the right time, or will it just make it not run as efficiently?

 

[gv550]

It's a crap shoot, but the odds are likely in your favour that nothing bad will happen if you ignore the schedule. I enjoy the satisfaction of knowing my valves have the required clearance, and I actually visualize them living happy lives as I ride down the road. Other riders are likely more concerned about what's for dinner.

 

[~TABASCO~]

I would check them, then you know where you stand, good or bad... I can go though any questions you might have over the phone if you like. Or I could just talk your ear off for 30 minutes about valves, Etc..

Just let me know- Also goes for anyone else interested, just PM me......

 

[rakhan]

I would check them, then you know where you stand, good or bad... I can go though any questions you might have over the phone if you like. Or I could just talk your ear off for 30 minutes about valves, Etc..

Just let me know- Also goes for anyone else interested, just PM me......

This will probably be something I take to a mechanic to do, I am comfortable doing things like oil changes, breaks, final drive fluid etc. I don't know if this is a project I want to tackle myself, I have watched a couple videos and its seems like a bit of a bear to do unsupervised haha. I am assuming the way to check it, is to disassemble everything correct? Or is there an easy way to check and then take it somewhere if they do need it?

 

[~TABASCO~]

This will probably be something I take to a mechanic to do, I am comfortable doing things like oil changes, breaks, final drive fluid etc. I don't know if this is a project I want to tackle myself, I have watched a couple videos and its seems like a bit of a bear to do unsupervised haha. I am assuming the way to check it, is to disassemble everything correct? Or is there an easy way to check and then take it somewhere if they do need it?

Take the throttle bodies off and valve cover to check the valves. And clutch cover. You need a service book. To change the shims you need to pull the cams, Etc.

If you like I can give you some friendly suggestions so you have a better "idea" about finding someone to do the work for you. Just let me know-

 

[MIKE R]

................ is this something that will damage the bike if not done at the right time, or will it just make it not run as efficiently?

With old fashioned 'screw and nut' tappets the gap increased and the tappets got noisy.....always a good indication that some basic maintenance was required.

On the other hand, if I am correct, valves with shims can get tight over time as the valve seat wears. If they get too tight this can cause serious engine problems

I would get them checked by a mechanic you can trust.

My bike has now covered almost 47k and will be going in for it's second check once I am allowed to ride again (UK Corvid rules for non essential use)

If my understanding is incorrect I an certain someone will inform me!

Mike

 

[Shuckers]

I’m sure I heard once that if the valves need adjusting, ie have got tight you would experience hard starts when engine is hot.

 

[Cycledude]

I have always done most maintenance myself but definitely won’t attempt Tenere valves, at 25,000 miles I took my 2013 to a friend-mechanic that does this kind of work for a living, turned out they didn’t need any adjustments. I didn’t plan on ever paying to have them checked again but I always really wished it had cruise control so at 50,000 miles I traded it for a brandnew 2018 Tenere. The 2018 now has 20,000 miles and I plan to pay the big money to have the valves checked, if they check good I will probably never have them checked again.

 

[WJBertrand]

Ok I will go ahead and get it done then, forgive my ignorance I know nothing about valve adjustments, is this something that will damage the bike if not done at the right time, or will it just make it not run as efficiently?

Both are possibilities. Loose valves will be noisy and the bike will not run at optimum since the valve openings will be smaller than intended. In the case of these shim/bucket type valve systems they typically tighten up with wear as the valve head seats deeper into the head. There will be no tell-tail noise until it's too late. Theoretically too little valve clearance can result in a burned valve, especially on the exhaust side. The exhaust valve needs to sit closed against the head long enough to transfer its heat between cycles. With too short, or no seat time, it will accumulate heat and burn. Having said that I don't think a burned valve has ever been reported here. I too tend to be anal about this having suffered a burnt exhaust valve on my old ST1100.

 

[holligl]

I would check them, then you know where you stand, good or bad... I can go though any questions you might have over the phone if you like. Or I could just talk your ear off for 30 minutes about valves, Etc..

Just let me know- Also goes for anyone else interested, just PM me......

What is the tightest clearance you have seen?
I had one exhaust at .11 at 55 kmi which was as bad as I've heard. I won't be skipping any checks.

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[~TABASCO~]

What is the tightest clearance you have seen?
I had one exhaust at .11 at 55 kmi which was as bad as I've heard. I won't be skipping any checks.

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Probably

What is the tightest clearance you have seen?
I had one exhaust at .11 at 55 kmi which was as bad as I've heard. I won't be skipping any checks.

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I would have to go back and look. I’ve seen a few crazy tight/ loose valves before. No rhyme or reason.

 

[bimota]

With old fashioned 'screw and nut' tappets the gap increased and the tappets got noisy.....always a good indication that some basic maintenance was required.

On the other hand, if I am correct, valves with shims can get tight over time as the valve seat wears. If they get too tight this can cause serious engine problems

I would get them checked by a mechanic you can trust.

My bike has now covered almost 47k and will be going in for it's second check once I am allowed to ride again (UK Corvid rules for non essential use)

If my understanding is incorrect I an certain someone will inform me!

Mike

hi mike,

what mileage did you do the first check was it 24000, did yamaha do it

rob

 

[rakhan]

Take the throttle bodies off and valve cover to check the valves. And clutch cover. You need a service book. To change the shims you need to pull the cams, Etc.

If you like I can give you some friendly suggestions so you have a better "idea" about finding someone to do the work for you. Just let me know-

I will definitely take any advice you have to offer on someone else doing the work!

Thank you

 

[~TABASCO~]

I will definitely take any advice you have to offer on someone else doing the work!

Thank you

NP - PM your number

 

[MIKE R]

hi mike,

what mileage did you do the first check was it 24000, did yamaha do it

rob

The actual service was at 25665 when I came back from a tour of Norway.

I'd had bad service from 2 local Yamaha dealers and a trusted acquaintance (who put me on to the indy) had equally bad service at a third. Due to this (and the fact that the bike was no longer under warranty) I researched and found a VERY good independent who:-

1 I can trust to do the job they're being paid to do (read into that what you want) to a high professional standard

2 is a lot cheaper than the local main dealers

Mike

 

[squarebore]

I don't trust the mechanics to do the job properly as they rarely work on an s10. I sell my bikes before major work such as valve checks.

If I had a trusted mechanic...different story.

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