Valve adjustment - more lessons learned

[rickster60]

Hi all. I'm doing my first valve adj (ok, late) at 36k on my '12 Tenere. I'm having trouble sorting out the numbers when it comes to inch/mm calculations for finding new shims to bring it into specs. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

cyl 1 cyl 2
ex1 ex2 ex1 ex2
measured .009 .oo8 .010 .009 (inches) specified range .0087 - .0110 inch or .22 -.28 mm
shim 206 208 205 206


in1 in2 in1 in2
measured .004 .005 .004 ,004 (inches) specified range .004 - .0063 inch or .10 -.16 mm
shim 202 205 201 202

 

[~TABASCO~]

I asked the local dealer what the cost to have this done would be. The service manager said a check or adjustment would be the same. 5.7 shop hours which is $570.
This shop had never laid eyes on a Super Tenere. I don’t trust them to work on my bike.

People that have read some of my post know my attitude about what they told you... IMOP- that is a No-no-no..... IMOP- the check is one 'job', and the adjustment is another 'job'. They are not the same. I agree with your last sentence.

Ive suggested this in the past but worth talking about again. There are TONS of sport bikes around the country, way more than adventure bikes. There are a lot of good mechanics that work on sport bike motors. Ask some sport bike guys who they trust to work on their motors. It might be a 'pro' back yard mechanic type of guy. He does it for the love, not because he paying bills. Ive seen this several times. The Yamaha R1-R6 (Etc) mechanic could do the valve check no problem.

I better stop typing now- otherwise I will write 10-12 paragraphs................. LOL



****NOTE**** I almost forgot.. (to anyone and everyone) When getting the valves adjusted by anyone, ask for (demand) the paper work of EACH valve. What it started out as when they checked it, and if they need to change a shim, what number shim came out, and what shim went back in ! ! If ANYONE gives you the line "we dont do all that writing down at this shop", I would move on to another shop if it was me... I 100% provide all this paper work with a smile. Its good for the customer and its good to have in there long term file/records... Anyone who might have come across my valve adjustment post over the years knows I preach this all the time.... GET YOUR PAPER WORK !

 

[holligl]

Hi all. I'm doing my first valve adj (ok, late) at 36k on my '12 Tenere. I'm having trouble sorting out the numbers when it comes to inch/mm calculations for finding new shims to bring it into specs. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

cyl 1 cyl 2
ex1 ex2 ex1 ex2
measured .009 .oo8 .010 .009 (inches) specified range .0087 - .0110 inch or .22 -.28 mm
shim 206 208 205 206


in1 in2 in1 in2
measured .004 .005 .004 ,004 (inches) specified range .004 - .0063 inch or .10 -.16 mm
shim 202 205 201 202

Something I learned from my Canadian friends, just use the mm measurements. Much easier as that's how the shims are labeled.

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[holligl]

Hi all. I'm doing my first valve adj (ok, late) at 36k on my '12 Tenere. I'm having trouble sorting out the numbers when it comes to inch/mm calculations for finding new shims to bring it into specs. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

cyl 1 cyl 2
ex1 ex2 ex1 ex2
measured .009 .oo8 .010 .009 (inches) specified range .0087 - .0110 inch or .22 -.28 mm
shim 206 208 205 206


in1 in2 in1 in2
measured .004 .005 .004 ,004 (inches) specified range .004 - .0063 inch or .10 -.16 mm
shim 202 205 201 202

Here is my take if I copied your numbers correctly. Do you have a shim kit or ordering per prev posts?

Intakes are close but still in spec. Only one exhaust out. While it's apart, some people will tweak any getting close. I like to look at it as how much reserve do you have in the spec range. Hope this helps.

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[rickster60]

Here is my take if I copied your numbers correctly. Do you have a shim kit or ordering per prev posts?

Intakes are close but still in spec. Only one exhaust out. While it's apart, some people will tweak any getting close. I like to look at it as how much reserve do you have in the spec range. Hope this helps.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Help it did. Much simpler to use metric equivilents during calculations. Your spreadsheet with reserce percentage provided a good overview of what's going on up there in the top end. Finding shims available by the piece at rockymountainatv will make it easy to dial in the gaps near the "max gap". Thanks so much for clarifiying this for me.
Rick

 

[holligl]

Help it did. Much simpler to use metric equivilents during calculations. Your spreadsheet with reserce percentage provided a good overview of what's going on up there in the top end. Finding shims available by the piece at rockymountainatv will make it easy to dial in the gaps near the "max gap". Thanks so much for clarifiying this for me.
Rick

You're welcome, I just tweeked the spreadsheet I used. Just remember you are generally trying to increase the gap, so shims will be getting smaller. Be sure you remeasure the clearances after cams are back in place, and tensioner released. While close enough, my results didn't quite match predictions. Check and recheck the cam positions.

For some reason, it seems the right exhaust valves wear quicker.

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[rickster60]

You're welcome, I just tweeked the spreadsheet I used. Just remember you are generally trying to increase the gap, so shims will be getting smaller. Be sure you remeasure the clearances after cams are back in place, and tensioner released. While close enough, my results didn't quite match predictions. Check and recheck the cam positions.

For some reason, it seems the right exhaust valves wear quicker.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Good to know, thanks again. Turns out that rocky mountain atv doesn't offer individual shims that are 9.5mm in dia., only 7.5mm. My local shop has a selection so I'll pick them up today. Three of the shims I have will slide over to diferent locations per your spread sheet so I'll only need to purchase 5. I will be sure to check clearances once I've put it all back together.

 

[holligl]

Good to know, thanks again. Turns out that rocky mountain atv doesn't offer individual shims that are 9.5mm in dia., only 7.5mm. My local shop has a selection so I'll pick them up today. Three of the shims I have will slide over to diferent locations per your spread sheet so I'll only need to purchase 5. I will be sure to check clearances once I've put it all back together.

Spec diameter is 9.48mm

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[holligl]

Good to know, thanks again. Turns out that rocky mountain atv doesn't offer individual shims that are 9.5mm in dia., only 7.5mm. My local shop has a selection so I'll pick them up today. Three of the shims I have will slide over to diferent locations per your spread sheet so I'll only need to purchase 5. I will be sure to check clearances once I've put it all back together.

Pro X Valve Shim

*Specific heat-treatment ensuring hardness to offer maximum durability and less wear. *Works with stock or aftermarket cams. *Sold as each.

www.rockymountainatvmc.com

Same as WR450 shims

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[gv550]

Spec diameter is 9.48mm

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Good point. 9.50 diameter is available and will not fit. Must be 9.48

 

[rickster60]

Good point. 9.50 diameter is available and will not fit. Must be 9.48

Another essential bit of knowlege. Thanks gv550. I'll make sure they are the correct size.

 

[WJBertrand]

Good point. 9.50 diameter is available and will not fit. Must be 9.48

Is there really such thing as a 9.50 mm shim? Thought they were all 9.48 and a smaller size (7.xx something) that my Honda STs used.

 

[gv550]

Yes. I borrowed a shim kit from a friend and they were labeled 9.50 dia, for his Suzuki. Took my T12 apart and his shims wouldn’t fit. Hot cams sells kits in 9.48 and 9.50 diameter.

 

[holligl]

Pro X another brand, per the above link. It won't identify with a Super Tenere though, for some reason. If you pull up a Yamaha parts list for the ST and a WR450, you will find the same part numbers for the shims.

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[WJBertrand]

Yes. I borrowed a shim kit from a friend and they were labeled 9.50 dia, for his Suzuki. Took my T12 apart and his shims wouldn’t fit. Hot cams sells kits in 9.48 and 9.50 diameter.

Well that's kind of annoying....

 

[Kruzzin5]

I did a valve check last week with the great help of GV 550. As others have pointed out, this is a laborious task, with removing and replacing the valve cover being a major hassle. At one point, there were three of us with screwdrivers trying to seat the valve cover gasket. Crazy LOL. Resetting the CCT also took some work, we finally got that reset. Thanks Garry! We also balanced the throttle bodies which made a noticeable improvement. New spark plugs, new air filter, and oil change and I’m good to go.!

Now to do the fork oil...


Here are the numbers, the intake was all in spec.

 

[holligl]

Garry helps with forks too!

 

[Kruzzin5]

Garry helps with forks too!

LOL, Yes, I know. I’m gonna give this one to go with as, I have done it several times on my V-Strom and Harley.

 

[Gigitt]

I did my Kawasaki Versys 650 shims about 5 years ago.
I hate math and trying to calculate what where and how is a bit much scratching on paper and using excel.

I found this site [Triumph] Valve Shim Calculator Tool http://www.agbuzz.com.au/valve/valve_intro.htm
I looks a bit complicated but it made a lot of sense once you figured out what you are trying to achieve.

One feature I like is it allows for differing shim thickness...
many are 0.05mm, but my shim shop makes 0.02mm increments and I was able to dial in my clearances nicely.

I hope someone else finds the shim calc tool useful

 

[sandro1973]

45.000 miles on this bike ( i'm the 4th owner, bought it with 44.000 miles...), 2015 ZE Model...as far as i knew it never had the valves checked before..all of them were off and had to be adjusted...timming chain was also on its last legs, so much slack the tensioner was on its limit...i was already noticing some chain slap noise on decceleration and acceleration...apart from a more pronounced "tick, tick,tick" noise i suppose it was valves....

The oil it previously had was 10W-40, it was changed to 20W-50 semi-synthetic. Clutch sounds less noisy, gearbox softer....

Compression check was made, no funny stuff in the oil....engine diagnosis, OK, no hidden issues....that's a relief...


In my short experience with this and any other used bike.....don't take your chances...different owners, different care, different uses....have it checked before any sort of adventures or travels.....


And don't dismisse valve checks....someone i know with 114.000 miles on his has had regular valve check, never had to adjust any...but does big miles.....someone with a heavier fist or who uses it more often in town, off-road ou high speed runs, might need to be more careful...and if you don't know the bike past history of use...better be safe than sorry.