November 13th, 2021, 07:57 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Van
Location: NE Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Posts: 30
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Help With Valve Clearance
I have a 2007 Ninja 250 with just over 6000 miles. I am putting her away for the winter. She's a new purchase. I've cleaned the carbs and all that. I decided to check the valve clearances. I'm not sure if the previous owner adjusted the valves or not. As I was checking each valve I made sure the pointy part of the lobe was pointing straight up so I could get a good reading. I started out with the .003" gauge. 3 out of the 4 intake valves I couldn't get the .003 in there. the other one was at .003 but not .004. As for the exhaust valves.. I got .004 but not .005, then I got .005 but not .006. the last 2 exhaust valves I couldn't get the .003 in. Is this normal for a bike with only 6000 miles? I always thought as a bike gets mileage on it that the valve clearances would open up ??? When I do the adjusting I was going to put the intake valves at .004" and the exhaust valves at .005". As far as I know those numbers are right in the middle of the specs. I checked my feeler gauges with my micrometer and they are right on. Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance ! |
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November 14th, 2021, 05:44 AM | #2 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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It's not unusual. The clearances become smaller as the engine wears.
That's why it's so important to check them, since if they get to zero, damage to the valves and seats begins. As the engine warms up the clearance increases, so the first signs of a problem show up during cold starts. Starting gets more difficult and it doesn't run well until it's warm. You did the right thing in checking and adjusting them. https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do..._the_valves%3F https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Ninja250_Howto |
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November 14th, 2021, 07:37 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Van
Location: NE Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Posts: 30
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Thanks Jim !!
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November 14th, 2021, 07:48 AM | #4 |
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Name: Gordon
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Agreed....more members should be performing this super important, critical service, rather than blowing it off!
If I may add...I prefer using the looser end of spec on exhaust valves as they tend to quickly tighten, even between service intervals. Allowing them plenty of room to wear into spec. After engine is fully broken in, with higher mileage...valves tend to stabilize somewhat.
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November 14th, 2021, 08:10 AM | #5 |
Retired motorcycle Mc.
Name: Robert
Location: Weed, California.
Join Date: Jul 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2021 CSC TT250, 1977 Triumph Bonneville 750cc,2001 Honda XR650L. Posts: A lot.
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Hay Jim !
my 2012 Ninja 250R has valve shims in it Right? and the manual says I don't have to check them till 7000 miles.... BUT it is cold blooded and doesn't want to run good till it's warmed up like you mentioned.... could the valves to too tight? you got me wondering now ! I've NEVER heard a tappit click in that bike yet.. and it's got over 6k miles on it and as far as I know no one has ever checked the valve clearance.... ....I've never heard that description given for tight valves before... see your teaching an Old dog new tricks !!! ...in my youth you checked the valves everytime you changed the oil... without fail.... or you'd regret it ! these new fangled contraptions are definitely different ! LOL .... Bob....
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November 14th, 2021, 08:46 AM | #6 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
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I think you should check your valve clearances.
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November 14th, 2021, 09:00 AM | #7 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Anthony
Location: Vinita, Ok
Join Date: Sep 2021 Motorcycle(s): 07 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 343
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Quote:
Thing you need Digital Caliper "The best brand is Mitutoyo but not cheap or next best cheap brand is Neiko" Angle Feeler Gauge Hot Cams Valve Shim Kit 7.48mm OD Kit Paper and Pen Then let the fun start |
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November 14th, 2021, 07:41 PM | #8 |
Retired motorcycle Mc.
Name: Robert
Location: Weed, California.
Join Date: Jul 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2021 CSC TT250, 1977 Triumph Bonneville 750cc,2001 Honda XR650L. Posts: A lot.
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Thanks shspvr !
I got those valve shims ...just ordered them I also need a better feeler gauge and a new digital caliper..so I bought one of those too... ... so I should be all set to take on the Ninja as soon as I get the Triumph out of the shop.... the bad thing about working on the Ninja is getting down to it... I really do not like having to take off the fairings to work on anything on that bike ! ...but to me that is the "New modern design" ... I do like the Old Triumph design much better ... but I suppose that is just because it is closer to MY age ! LOL .... I am also working on a deal to get a KLR 650 and that will be my play toy and Main bike I think.... although I will have to do alot of Mods to it to make it fit me and have more power, if it don't get the front wheel up off the ground in first it is not good enough for me on a bike like that... for a street bike that's not a problem but a dirt bike/adventure machine it needs that snappiness.... we'll see what happens on that ! .... Bob.....
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November 14th, 2021, 09:08 PM | #9 |
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Luckily, newer shims & bucket design is more durable. After this initial adjustment, you'll most likely find that next inspection @ 15k and 22.5k will show no adjustment needed. Don't know how Honda does it, their bikes hardly ever need valve-adjustments.
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November 14th, 2021, 09:12 PM | #10 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
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November 14th, 2021, 09:29 PM | #11 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Anthony
Location: Vinita, Ok
Join Date: Sep 2021 Motorcycle(s): 07 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 343
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Honda make there a bit loser
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November 15th, 2021, 07:52 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Van
Location: NE Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Posts: 30
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I have adjusted all my intake valves. Now I need to adjust the exhaust valves. Looks like I'm gonna be removing the radiator and fan. I want as easy access as possible to these valves so I know I get the clearance correct. Here is the problem... I have removed my carbs and air box and gas tank. All have been cleaned and stored inside in my basement. I'm not putting them back on until spring when I plan on start riding. If I remove my radiator, I'm going to lose some of my coolant. No big deal because I plan on a radiator flush and replacement in the spring. Will my engine be safe until February/March without some of the coolant in it? I live in NE Ohio so our temps get down to maybe zero F at the coldest and thats only a few days. My bike is being stored inside an unheated garage.
Thanks for some advice ! |
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November 15th, 2021, 07:59 PM | #13 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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I didn't have to remove my radiator to adjust the valves, I just moved it a little. Have you seen the FAQ?
https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do..._the_valves%3F |
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November 15th, 2021, 08:05 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Van
Location: NE Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Posts: 30
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I have loosened the radiator and removed bolts per the FAQ. I didn't remove the fan though. I've got the fan/radiator moved out of the way a little bit. The fan seems to be the problem. I may remove it and see how much room I have.
Will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks. |
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November 17th, 2021, 07:07 PM | #15 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Van
Location: NE Ohio
Join Date: Oct 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki 250 Posts: 30
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Got all the valves clearances set. I can honestly say I'm not looking forward to doing that again. The procedure itself was a piece of cake but removing everything just to get at the adjusters was a PITA !!!
Thanks for all the advice. Ok. Need tires now. I will start a new thread for that. |
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November 18th, 2021, 02:03 AM | #16 |
Retired motorcycle Mc.
Name: Robert
Location: Weed, California.
Join Date: Jul 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2021 CSC TT250, 1977 Triumph Bonneville 750cc,2001 Honda XR650L. Posts: A lot.
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Congrats ! that's a big step ! well done !
yes getting down to the actual bike is a royal pain on the Ninja.... i find that more difficult to get the fairings back on and aligned correctly than to do any of the mechanical work the bike needs ! .... but I have found a few tricks that help.... don't tighten any screws down.... put them in and get them close but don't tighten anything until your happy with how the fairings sit on the bike... then tighten them... yes it takes about an hour longer that way but the results are easy to see in the end ..... I have been looking for a "Fairings On and off switch" I could mount on the speedometer... but I've not come across one yet.... if you see one please let me know ! ..... LOL later ! Bob........
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November 19th, 2021, 02:37 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
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Hahahha, imagine accidentally hitting that button while riding down street!!!
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November 19th, 2021, 04:43 PM | #18 |
Retired motorcycle Mc.
Name: Robert
Location: Weed, California.
Join Date: Jul 2021 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2021 CSC TT250, 1977 Triumph Bonneville 750cc,2001 Honda XR650L. Posts: A lot.
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lol ...someone might mistake you for a Transformer for sure !....
best to put a lock off cover over it ! LOL.... Bob.....
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Its too late when you've gone too far ! |
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