When to clean carbs and Adjust Valves

RandomPhantom · May 10th, 2013, 08:57 AM

I have a 2010 Ninja 250r Its at 10k miles already and previous owner told me that he hasnt gotten valves adjusted yet or even carbs cleaned because the carbs didnt show any signs of needed cleaning. So my question is, how do i know when i need a valve adjustment and to clean the carbs? When is the mileage that i should b cleaning them at? Thanks!

cuong-nutz · May 10th, 2013, 09:02 AM

Valve adjustments at every 7500 miles. As long as the bike has been running, you shouldn't be needing to clean the carbs. If the carbs sit long for a month or so WITH fuel in it then maybe. Anything longer than yes. Really, if the bike runs fine, doesn't have issues with hard starts, sputtering, than the carbs are most likely fine.

RandomPhantom · May 10th, 2013, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuong-nutz

Valve adjustments at every 7500 miles. As long as the bike has been running, you shouldn't be needing to clean the carbs. If the carbs sit long for a month or so WITH fuel in it then maybe. Anything longer than yes.

Dang im way overdue for a valve adjustment mate! Well thanks for that i'll get right to it then and get that done. Also do u know when to replace spark plugs as well? i havent pulled mine out yet or even looked at them

cuong-nutz · May 10th, 2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomPhantom

Dang im way overdue for a valve adjustment mate! Well thanks for that i'll get right to it then and get that done. Also do u know when to replace spark plugs as well? i havent pulled mine out yet or even looked at them

At the top page, you'll see the stickies. Download the maintenance schedule for your reference

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10577

I usually inspect my plugs at every valve adjustment. If they're still good I pop them back in. The spark plugs will tell you a lot about how your engine is running.

RandomPhantom · May 10th, 2013, 09:57 AM

quite a hefty list there mate! Looks like im going to b busy this weekend haha and thank you for this! But what does the (x) represent in the boxes with it marked? I dont need to check during those mileages?

sLick415 · May 10th, 2013, 01:10 PM

The X's are merely tick marks, meaning you do check those at those mileages.

alex.s · May 10th, 2013, 01:12 PM

my routine:

oil change every 3.5k miles.
valves, oil filter, cooling system every 7k.
usually the chain and sprockets last around 10k.
inspect all bearings and mating surfaces every 15k.

Motofool · May 10th, 2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandomPhantom

Dang im way overdue for a valve adjustment mate! Well thanks for that i'll get right to it then and get that done. Also do u know when to replace spark plugs as well? i havent pulled mine out yet or even looked at them

Neglected valves can get burnt (expensive repair) because the clearance gets reduced with wear: please make that priority #1.
Include service of cam chain tensioner.

Plugs are cheap, just replace them.
Be very gentle about torquing them down, the holes in the heads strip easily (expensive repair).

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Changin...rands_to_avoid

alex.s · May 10th, 2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motofool

Be very gentle about torquing them down, the holes in the heads strip easily

just some extra info on this. over torquing the plugs might not strip threads immediately. but an overtorqued plug will stuck itself in the plug hole to the point its welded in. after that, trying to remove the plug will simply shatter the porcelain and you're stuck with the bottom half of a plug in your head. which means you get to remove the head from the engine (not just valve cover- the entire head), drill the remainder of the plug out, tap to a bigger size, put in a helicoil and a new plug.

Motofool · May 10th, 2013, 03:18 PM

+

New plugs have a crushable gasket (metal ring) that gives some, avoiding excessive torque.

The gasket of the old ones has been crushed all the way down and the transition between not enough and too much is a more drastic step, being another reason to replace the whole plug by new.

Not to be scared, just careful

RandomPhantom · May 10th, 2013, 03:58 PM

thanks alot for the help and advice guys! i'll definitely take out the bike to a shop to get the valves adjusted and possibly get it shimmed if its needed as well

May 10th, 2013, 09:02 AM	#2
cuong-nutz RIP Alex Name: Cuong Location: Houston, TX Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 2	Valve adjustments at every 7500 miles. As long as the bike has been running, you shouldn't be needing to clean the carbs. If the carbs sit long for a month or so WITH fuel in it then maybe. Anything longer than yes. Really, if the bike runs fine, doesn't have issues with hard starts, sputtering, than the carbs are most likely fine. __________________________________________________ HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 10th, 2013, 01:12 PM	#7
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	my routine: oil change every 3.5k miles. valves, oil filter, cooling system every 7k. usually the chain and sprockets last around 10k. inspect *all* bearings and mating surfaces every 15k. __________________________________________________
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 10th, 2013, 03:18 PM	#10
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	+ New plugs have a crushable gasket (metal ring) that gives some, avoiding excessive torque. The gasket of the old ones has been crushed all the way down and the transition between not enough and too much is a more drastic step, being another reason to replace the whole plug by new. Not to be scared, just careful __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I think I need to clean my carbs..	Hero Danny	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	44	June 9th, 2014 02:06 PM
Should I adjust my valves or are they good enough?	Floki	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	17	January 7th, 2014 05:55 AM
Watch first hand in person how to adjust your valves	rojoracing53	General Motorcycling Discussion	17	July 6th, 2013 08:26 PM
clean carbs?	MLecl0001	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	8	December 2nd, 2012 02:12 PM
DIY- Clean and Adjust Chain	islanderman7	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	25	April 2nd, 2010 10:42 PM

May 10th, 2013, 08:57 AM	#1
RandomPhantom The Motorcycle Newb! Name: Tony Location: Orange County Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (Red/SOLD), 2008 Ninja 250R (Black/SOLD), 2005 ZX6R (Black) Posts: 193	When to clean carbs and Adjust Valves I have a 2010 Ninja 250r Its at 10k miles already and previous owner told me that he hasnt gotten valves adjusted yet or even carbs cleaned because the carbs didnt show any signs of needed cleaning. So my question is, how do i know when i need a valve adjustment and to clean the carbs? When is the mileage that i should b cleaning them at? Thanks!

May 10th, 2013, 09:57 AM	#5
RandomPhantom The Motorcycle Newb! Name: Tony Location: Orange County Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (Red/SOLD), 2008 Ninja 250R (Black/SOLD), 2005 ZX6R (Black) Posts: 193	quite a hefty list there mate! Looks like im going to b busy this weekend haha and thank you for this! But what does the (x) represent in the boxes with it marked? I dont need to check during those mileages?

May 10th, 2013, 01:10 PM	#6
sLick415 ninjette.org guru Name: Danny Location: San Francisco, CA Join Date: Dec 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 263	The X's are merely tick marks, meaning you do check those at those mileages.

May 10th, 2013, 03:58 PM	#11
RandomPhantom The Motorcycle Newb! Name: Tony Location: Orange County Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R (Red/SOLD), 2008 Ninja 250R (Black/SOLD), 2005 ZX6R (Black) Posts: 193	thanks alot for the help and advice guys! i'll definitely take out the bike to a shop to get the valves adjusted and possibly get it shimmed if its needed as well