Price to adjust valves on a 125?

[BlackStallion]

My 125 needs it's valve clearance, which i'm hoping won't be to costly.

It's a very loud knocking sound, which is coming from the cylinder head, and it's got worse over the past week or so. I had it looked at by a mechanic a month ago, about a slight sound, which he said wasn't abnormal, but he told me to keep an eye on it. I've checked the manual, and it's 1000 miles overdue, so i need to get it done.

It's a 4 stroke 125, i don't have a clue about the valves myself, otherwise i'd do the job, but i'd like to know if anyone has any rough ideas about how much it will cost?

I'll appreciate any help

Many thanks

[That_Hornet]

Not too hard at all to do valves.

Its just a matter of removing the head and using a gauge to measure the clearance, and on a 125 single with lock-nuts, it should be a doddle.

If you want to know how much a shop will charge ask them. Shouldnt be much, 1 1/2 hours*, depending on the hassle of the bike.

Say £45 p/h so £70 odd quid.

[neatbik]

You will need a manual (to get the clearences), and a set of feeler guages. I'm assuming your bike has adjustable 'tappets', in which case you adjust them with small spanners.

It shouldnt take long to do, as long as you dont have to remove too much to get to the rocker cover i reckon i could do it in about half an hour quite comfortably

[rob_scott92]

I'd do it yourself mate, one of those life long things that you may aswell learn how to do now on your 125 before having a bash with your bandit.

As previously said, you will need the manual to get the clearences (I believe its usually different for the intake and exhaust, but mine are both the same) You will also need some feeler guages.
I've just done mine today for the 3rd time In a couple of months, seems to sound a little better each time i do it but i'm probably only tightening it a little each time for being afraid of over tightening them!

It can be tricky getting the bloody guages in too, its amazing how the simplest of jobs can be so awkward to do. Everything just seems to be in the way!

But you may aswell do it, as i say your learning for when you've got a bigger bike

Hope this helps

[neatbik]

Yep, give it a go, you will be surprised how easy it is. Just take your time, dont rush it and be doubly sure you have measured them right.
One other thing, measure and adjust the clearences with the engine COLD

[rob_scott92]

[Pete.]

If the noise has gotten drastically worse in just a week I'd inspect the top-end for camshaft/cam follower wear. Have you ever let it run low on oil?
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[BlackStallion]

Thanks for the replies

The manual i have doesn't say anything about the valve clearance or how to adjust it, just has the troubleshooting section at the back which lets you know when the valves need adjusting.

I'd be happy to do it myself rob_scott92, but unfortunately, i just don't feel comfortable with it, i can imagine something going wrong. I'll be going back to the previous owner of my Bandit, he's gonna show me how to do the basics, like change oil and filters, remove carbs and all of that, so that's good

For the peace of mind with this situation and it being my 125, i'd rather pay a qualified mechanic to do it. When i sell it, i'm hoping to get £850 for it, which will be a loss of £200, but it's done me well, and been well looked after. It's the best thing i have to get some money back on what i paid for the Bandit

It had it's last service at 9000 miles, so the oil should be fine Pete, and it's got 10,106 on the clock now. It hasn't got drastically worse, it just rattles more often now, it used to only rattle when cold, but it does it a lot more now. I'll ring around tomorrow, get some prices and hopefully get it sorted

If anyone is interested in buying a 125 within the next week, get in touch

[rob_scott92]

[BlackStallion]

[Odie]

[rob_scott92]

I could well be mistaken I think He definately was adjusting something when it was hot though as I remember the screams as he burnt his fingers! Lol

[DrDonnyBrago]

Clearances when cold; they are piss easy to do on the wee bikes mate, only becomes a PITA when you get shim under bucket.

You get to look under the rocker cover too... which is nice

[BlackStallion]

Just got some quotes, the cheapest was £40, which is where i've been before for some brake pads, they're a real good bunch and they're only 10 minutes up the road

Taking it in tomorrow, and leaving it there all day and picking it up after college. It will be nice to hear the bike idle rattle free

Cheers for the help guys

[DrDonnyBrago]

Sounds cheap for a garage however that same £40 could get you:

£5 feeler gauges
£5 cheap spanners, screwdriver and pliers
free: find the valve clearances on the internet
£10 entry to a strip club
£20 stripper



Do it next time eh

[BlackStallion]

[Odie]

[mr.kris]

il teach you how to do it for free if u live anyware near nottingham lol
____________________
TS50X---CM125---MZ150---Z250---RS125---ZXR250---BANDIT600---TRX850---TL1000S---CBF600---ZX6R---BANDIT1200S---CG125---VFR800---CBR1000F---CG125---CG125---CB900F---CB900F---CG125---TUONO1000R---KLR600---GSX1300R HAYABUSA---VFR400NC30---BANDIT1200---CG125

HAYABUSA now in use!