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Valve Clearance Check Interval?

By mebgardner,
in DRZ400/E/S/SM

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mebgardner

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This question came up in another thread, but I though the answer deserved a separate thread for it.

 

I checked the FAQ, and there is a detailed method described for performing the check.  But, when I search the forum for "valve interval" and / or "valve clearance check", nothing for interval time / mileage surfaces. Soooo....

 

What does the Best and Brightest offer as a guide for valve clearance check interval?

 

I'll start with:  The OEM considers 14,500 miles as the recommended interval.

 

What say you? 

 

Thanks...

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Craigo

Posted
Posted

This question came up in another thread, but I though the answer deserved a separate thread for it.

 

I checked the FAQ, and there is a detailed method described for performing the check.  But, when I search the forum for "valve interval" and / or "valve clearance check", nothing for interval time / mileage surfaces. Soooo....

 

What does the Best and Brightest offer as a guide for valve clearance check interval?

 

I'll start with:  The OEM considers 14,500 miles as the recommended interval.

 

What say you? 

 

Thanks...

 

 

Depends on how hard you rev it......If I was racing I would check every meeting....

 

 Currently check mine every 5,000 km for average riding conditions,  

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Erik Marquez

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Posted

When?

The day you buy it (to know where you're at as a base line...)

 

Regular riders, once a year.

 

Harder riders (race pace street, track or dirt)

Before and after each big race, ride, and at end of season. 

 

Everyone :

After you find them in need of adjustment, check again in 10 hours or so.. If they move again, adjust oif you want, but it's time to stop riding and do a valve job.

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Craigo

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Does a ticking sound indicate that the valves need adjusting? I have had 2 different views from mechanics. 

One says valves are out of spec, the other says its a normal noise for DRZ.

The bike has 10,200Km and is 15 months old.

 

There is a bomb inside mate, you better get outa there.... :jawdrop:

 

could be said it's normal, often the ticking can be from the auto decomp on the exhaust cam...

 

However if you have not checked your clearances you are a bad boy and should do it ASAP. ?

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harry9395

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Posted

There is a bomb inside mate, you better get outa there.... :jawdrop:

 

could be said it's normal, often the ticking can be from the auto decomp on the exhaust cam...

 

However if you have not checked your clearances you are a bad boy and should do it ASAP. ?

Well looks like ill be taking it into the mechanics soon - $$$$$ ?

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Mad Dogg W

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Well looks like ill be taking it into the mechanics soon - $$$$$ ?

 

It is not a hard job but if you are not confident to do it yourself a good tech should be able to check them for about an hour's labour if they are in spec, a little longer (I would say 2 hrs tops) if they need to apply shims. It's a relatively small outlay for large piece of mind....

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harry9395

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Posted (edited)

Post a vid of the noise

 

Ill do my best to upload tomorrow. It seems to be a consistent noise that does not alter at different RPM's.

The sound is very similar to the sound in this video when the MCCT is loose. I think it may be that..

 

http://youtu.be/QUvPp96hpXc?t=2m15s

 

It is not a hard job but if you are not confident to do it yourself a good tech should be able to check them for about an hour's labour if they are in spec, a little longer (I would say 2 hrs tops) if they need to apply shims. It's a relatively small outlay for large piece of mind....

Ok thanks mate, Are you from sydney? If so any reputable mechanics around here?

Edited by harry9395
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Mad Dogg W

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Ok thanks mate, Are you from sydney? If so any reputable mechanics around here?

 

Nope, I'm in Cairns, FN Queensland. I think Romie is a Sydney boy, you will find him on the Aussie DR-Z thread..... https://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/835480-australian-dr-z-owners-thread/page-119

 

Ask him who does his work.....   ?

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ohgood

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Ill do my best to upload tomorrow. It seems to be a consistent noise that does not alter at different RPM's.

The sound is very similar to the sound in this video when the MCCT is loose. I think it may be that..

 

http://youtu.be/QUvPp96hpXc?t=2m15s

 

Ok thanks mate, Are you from sydney? If so any reputable mechanics around here?

 

 

your bike is fine. the noise that starts as you loosen the cam chain tensioner is normal, and expected. i didn't hear any other tick, so if you do, it's likely just valve noise and /or the decompression mechanism. 

 

if it's the decomp mech, it will get louder over 5-10 thousand miles. you can cut it off as many do, and have a faster starting bike without issue, and quieter. it -will- sound very much like a loose valve.

 

loose valves makes noise. loose valves are happy valves. drz valves never go loose, unless the cam is eating into the journals, or the valve chips off the stem. they always tighten, unless someone screws up the shim adjustments (change). 

 

either way, ride and enjoy

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  • 8 years later...
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Topaz

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Posted (edited)

   Hello, I've read this old thread and some others about Valves check interval and found very different opinions. 

   Does anyone know the valves check interval that the service manual indicates? I know. I should get my own manual. I promise I will. 

 

Edited by Topaz
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roleyrev

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I do mine at 10000Km intervals. This along with the MCCT tension, fuel filter and frame screen (also an oil change with filter) as well a bike inspection and grease the swing-arm (on the E model) .  I do oil every 1500Kms or sooner depending on what / where I have been riding and usually have a quick outside inspection at that time as well (brake pads ETC) 

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