Just performed my first valve adjustment

JeffM · April 3rd, 2010, 04:46 PM

and boy are the exhaust lash adjusters hard to get to. It took me three hours (with breaks) to take the head cover off (after moving the radiator, coils and removing the front engine mount ) and get those set. The intakes took all of 20 minutes.

All of the valves were tight - could not get the feelers between the cam and the tappet

. I set them at the loose end of the adjustment range.

Filled the float bowls and fired it up and ta-da it started and seemed to like the adjustment. Nice and smooth with no valve train noise. Next I'll sync the carbs and good to go for another 6000.

Jeff

cnichols79us · April 4th, 2010, 02:10 AM

Good Job Jeff. I took mine in and had the valves done cause I am SURE I would have punched someone in the face before completion.... Glad you had the Patience!

drstimpy · April 6th, 2010, 04:44 AM

My cover is off now and all mine are on the tight side at 500 miles too. I'm thinking about all four of those exhaust valve adjusters and scratching my head...not a job to do without coffee or alcohol involved!

JeffM · April 6th, 2010, 08:12 AM

John, I really think a beer would have helped even more - except I wouldn't trust my work as much!

The worst part was stressing about dropping a socket or something down into the bowels of the engine. I actually tied my feeler gauges to a string and had a big tie-strip tied to the other end. That set up came in handy as I could hang it on the bars and have it at the ready all the time.

2WheelGuy · April 6th, 2010, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffM

The worst part was stressing about dropping a socket or something down into the bowels of the engine.

Just stuff a paper towel between the cam chains.

Snake · April 6th, 2010, 08:44 AM

My bike is at 18,000 miles and needs the valves checked / adjusted but I don't know if I have the patients to do it like I used to. My dealer did a great job last time and the price wasn't bad.

Flashmonkey · April 6th, 2010, 08:56 AM

Adjusting the valves definitely isn't that difficult to do, but you do need to set time aside for it as you don't want to rush yourself and screw everything up.

I love the fact that this bike is so ridiculously easy to work on.

drstimpy · April 6th, 2010, 11:28 PM

Yes imagine the words as my 9mm rachet bit rattled down the cam chain galley! It was binding and pulling off the ratchet extension and I would just pull it off with needle nose pliers and of course it slipped on the final Right side intake. Thank heaven for that little magnet on the end of an extension thingie!! Will surely stuff a rag down there next time eh?

Gyrene · April 25th, 2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snake

My dealer did a great job last time and the price wasn't bad.

Snake - How much did it cost to have it done?

HotWheels · April 27th, 2010, 07:39 AM

.

mikesova · April 28th, 2010, 10:00 AM

I'm going to be doing mine in the next week or so. I'm not too excited about it, but it will be an adventure. I'll take it nice and slow.

JeffM · April 28th, 2010, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesova

I'm going to be doing mine in the next week or so. I'm not too excited about it, but it will be an adventure. I'll take it nice and slow.

Go here for reference. Read all the articles a few times and get everything ready in advance of actually doing the job.

Definitely block out enough time to do the job.

drstimpy · April 28th, 2010, 12:09 PM

be sure and put a rag or something in the cam chain galley! I had fun fishing out a small socket with a magnet!

beowuff · April 28th, 2010, 12:14 PM

When I do mine, I set aside 2 days. One to take everything apart. The second day to adjust the valves and put everything together.

That way, I'm fresh when doing the actual adjustment.

But I also have 2 250's in the garage (mine and my wife's) so I still get to ride when working on one

April 3rd, 2010, 04:46 PM	#1
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Just performed my first valve adjustment and boy are the exhaust lash adjusters hard to get to. It took me three hours (with breaks) to take the head cover off (after moving the radiator, coils and removing the front engine mount ) and get those set. The intakes took all of 20 minutes. All of the valves were tight - could not get the feelers between the cam and the tappet . I set them at the loose end of the adjustment range. Filled the float bowls and fired it up and ta-da it started and seemed to like the adjustment. Nice and smooth with no valve train noise. Next I'll sync the carbs and good to go for another 6000. Jeff

April 6th, 2010, 04:44 AM	#3
drstimpy two wheels good Name: john Location: Wareham MA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 ex250 and 08 Triumph Sprint ST and custom calfee carbon race tandem Posts: 71	valves My cover is off now and all mine are on the tight side at 500 miles too. I'm thinking about all four of those exhaust valve adjusters and scratching my head...not a job to do without coffee or alcohol involved! __________________________________________________ Some must watch while others must sleep

April 6th, 2010, 08:44 AM	#6
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	My bike is at 18,000 miles and needs the valves checked / adjusted but I don't know if I have the patients to do it like I used to. My dealer did a great job last time and the price wasn't bad. Last futzed with by Snake; April 6th, 2010 at 10:31 AM.

April 6th, 2010, 11:28 PM	#8
drstimpy two wheels good Name: john Location: Wareham MA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 ex250 and 08 Triumph Sprint ST and custom calfee carbon race tandem Posts: 71	cam chain Yes imagine the words as my 9mm rachet bit rattled down the cam chain galley! It was binding and pulling off the ratchet extension and I would just pull it off with needle nose pliers and of course it slipped on the final Right side intake. Thank heaven for that little magnet on the end of an extension thingie!! Will surely stuff a rag down there next time eh? __________________________________________________ Some must watch while others must sleep

April 27th, 2010, 07:39 AM	#10
HotWheels ninjette.org member Name: Brandon Location: San Luis Obispo Ca. Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): EX 250 Posts: 24	Average price for me before was about $300.00 before at stealerships .

April 4th, 2010, 02:10 AM	#2
cnichols79us Fastly Slow!!! Name: Jeff Location: Kent, WA Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Kawasaki Ninja EX250, 1980 Honda XL125 Posts: 467	Good Job Jeff. I took mine in and had the valves done cause I am SURE I would have punched someone in the face before completion.... Glad you had the Patience!

April 6th, 2010, 08:12 AM	#4
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	John, I really think a beer would have helped even more - except I wouldn't trust my work as much! The worst part was stressing about dropping a socket or something down into the bowels of the engine. I actually tied my feeler gauges to a string and had a big tie-strip tied to the other end. That set up came in handy as I could hang it on the bars and have it at the ready all the time.

April 6th, 2010, 08:56 AM	#7
Flashmonkey Professional belly dancer Name: James Location: Toronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.	Adjusting the valves definitely isn't that difficult to do, but you do need to set time aside for it as you don't want to rush yourself and screw everything up. I love the fact that this bike is so ridiculously easy to work on.

April 28th, 2010, 10:00 AM	#11
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	I'm going to be doing mine in the next week or so. I'm not too excited about it, but it will be an adventure. I'll take it nice and slow.

April 28th, 2010, 12:09 PM	#13
drstimpy two wheels good Name: john Location: Wareham MA Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): 04 ex250 and 08 Triumph Sprint ST and custom calfee carbon race tandem Posts: 71	be sure and put a rag or something in the cam chain galley! I had fun fishing out a small socket with a magnet! __________________________________________________ Some must watch while others must sleep

April 28th, 2010, 12:14 PM	#14
beowuff ninjette.org member Name: Yancy Location: Redmond Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: 225	When I do mine, I set aside 2 days. One to take everything apart. The second day to adjust the valves and put everything together. That way, I'm fresh when doing the actual adjustment. But I also have 2 250's in the garage (mine and my wife's) so I still get to ride when working on one

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