Who doesn't do valve checks, and have there been issues?

Bigbore4

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Late reply Bigbore4
I've been on the road for a while with no connection to the world.
My chain was junk at 110,000 miles but you should be fine still at 80,000.
I am planning AK next summer. Probably do close to 20K on that trip depending how extravagant we get in side trips. I'll be around 100 when I get back.

Thanks for the feedback!
 

Kiejoe

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I've been on this forum for awhile. I've also worked on a few Teneres (for people that don't know me, probably several hundred) I've read and thought about different perspectives that people have. I've thought about a few very quick thoughts that come to my head. Everyone can surely do anything they like or want/don't want to do. But after working on so many, and not passing on the info I have learned, this doesn't sit well with me. So, Ill quickly go over a few things that I've thought about. In no particular order.

If you don't do a valve check the motor will blow up. Not that I've ever seen
If you don't do the check you will melt valves and pistons. Not that I've ever seen
If you don't do the valve check you will loose performance.. Probably so little no one will ever feel it
If you don't do the valve check you will loose MPG. Probably not and very hard to scientifically determine that might be the cause of the loss of 1mpg

Im sure there are many more " what if's " but Ive not come across any major issues by not doing the valve check. Knocking / fire / melting parts / bad MPG / etc, etc... It might run a little rough and the throttle wont be as sharp.




I myself am not one to let this job just go un noticed. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing my bike had wacked out valve clearances. And trust me, I've seen some CRAZY knocked out valves. Ive performed a valve check on many, many Teneres and there doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason for why some are out, some are not and some are really bad, and others are out, but not bad. I fully understand that the mechanical aspect of doing this job is to difficult for some. Other people don't want or cant afford for a shop to perform this job. I think that just about everyone, even with the help of a friend can CHECK the valves. At least know if your "OK". At least then you know your OK or semi OK. Ive checked bikes before they are WAY out. Does this mean they are about to blow up? Being a Yamaha, probably not. Its just really nice to know that your taking care of a $6K+ engine. Its not hard to check them. (and anyone can call me and I will be happy to walk though any part of the process with you, I want to help, just let me know)


I've also found in my experience that its about 50/50 % chance you have valve(s) out at the first 25K miles

I think its closer to 75/25 % you will have valves out at the 50K miles

The % lowers at the 75K miles back to about 50/50

And by the time your at 100K your pretty good, probably 10% one or two might be out.

This is a VERY subjective "percentage rate" on my part. My point is, what I find is the first two maybe three are inportant. Probably the 50K is the most.


I WOULD suggest people check there valves, Ive done to many of these checks and have seen a few with some really crazy valve specs. Its just good to know.




Also, it made me smile when someone brought up Paul and Nicks bikes. They have full support from Yamaha. They are given free bikes. They get free service & parts. They might be 'compensated' by Yamaha? Nick didnt do a valve check, he was 'racing' the clock. And if the engine burned to the ground, you and I might not know anything about it after the fact. That was great marketing. On Pauls bike its probably a similar story. I dont know if he got the valves checked or not. But if someone knows he never got the valves check that DOES NOT mean the bike was in the best shape it could mechanically be in. Yamaha might have told him not to, so they could look at an engine with 150K miles and no checks. Are you willing to take the risk? Do you get a free bike, service, support, parts ?


I know for me, I dont get free bikes, I dont get free maintenance, I dont get free parts. I want my bike to work the best it can,so I do the maintenance. I would suggest the valves get checked, just to keep an eye ball on them.






This soap box is really tall up here, im getting scared this high up... its time to step down off this thing...... LOL :) Does anyone know the best oil to use from Wal-Mart, Ive been told, motor-hose...motor-speed....motor-crafts..... just let me know LOLOLOLO
Don,t use Wal-Mart oil .......yeeee haaa
 

eemsreno

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I am planning AK next summer. Probably do close to 20K on that trip depending how extravagant we get in side trips. I'll be around 100 when I get back.

Thanks for the feedback!
If your going on a 20K ride , I want to go with you. Your the man!
 

Bigbore4

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If your going on a 20K ride , I want to go with you. Your the man!
I don't think I could keep up with you!

I am an experienced long miler, 6 weeks out is my longest to date. The buddy going with me is a long time friend, we hunt together, camp out etc. We can spend time together without killing each other. That said, this is his first "big" trip. This is his first "extended" trip away from the missus. I am hoping the weather will break so he can get out and knock off some long days in the saddle before we leave. It will be painful for me to do but I also plan to take it easy our fist few days out and let him get acclimated. Painful because living here, my norm is to get away from the Twin Cities, let the big girl loose a bit and cover some ground.

When I had the bike on for the recall, I had them do plugs and air filter while they were in there and had all the crap off. As mentioned, I will look at the valves again somewhere around 100k miles.
 

Scoti49

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Mar 29, 2019
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If its idling okay ,it should be fine
.
BUT mine is idling like a dream, but Im still going to check them soon .
42,000k so far
 
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