Many people checking their own Valves out there?

[TheGazWaz]

Long short, I have 1999 ZX9R in pretty much spotless condition and I absolutely love the thing.

It's just gone past 21k which I believe is about the time it needs it's valve clearances checked?

I've been quoted £300 which is an absolute "feck off no way" from the missus as we're in the middle of a loft conversion and the fact that the bike only cost me $1300 in the first place seems a lot for a bit preventative maintenance.

I suppose my questions are, If I leave it for a few K is the bike likely to blow up.

Is it something I could do myself. I'm pretty clued up. I have my Haynes manual at hand. Biggest job I've done on this bike is head bearing which isn't major but requires a front end strip down and plenty of time.

As soon as people start mentioning removal of cams my sphincter reacts in a negative way. Is it a difficult job to do and what can go wrong.

Cheers for listening all.

Gaz
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Went like this.. 43 years old(2013) decided to do CBT to get a 125 for new job. Bought 2011 YBR, loved it for three months then hated it because it was too god damn slow. Did DAS 4 months later then bought RF600 Loved it, sold it bought Bandit 1200(K3). EFFIN lOVED IT. Wanted something a bit more sporty so got Triumph Sprint ST 955i (53). Not sporty enough so now on my GSXR 1000 K3 and absolutely love it. 1 year down the line, nearly died way too many times on this bike. Sold it. Had a 6 month break. Missed biking so now, Aug 2019 have a 1999 ZX9r. What a beauty she is too.

[stinkwheel]

You only need to remove the rocker covers to CHECK the valve clearances. If they are all within tolerances, put it back on and carry on. The cams only need to come out if they need adjusting.

I'd rather re-shim a head than change out steering head bearings. It all does what it says in the book, you just need to be clean, tidy and methodical.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Nobby the Bastard]

It's not really that difficult, the biggest time drain when checking shims is taking off radiatir, tank etc to get at the head.

Changing shims is a bit more involved but a manual will see you through it okqy.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Bhud]

Valve clearances are very quick and easy to check on many bikes, after you've done them a couple of times. Also keep changing the oil and oil filter at regular intervals, and make sure the cam chain tensioner is doing its job. Stay on top of these things and you won't have to worry about mollycoddling your engine. Cams may have to come out but don't worry, they go back in.

[Easy-X]

My work colleague was in the same boat. He spent about a week fretting about it I think his CBR had done something like 20k.

All the work was in taking off the fairings. Once past that he found the shims were perfectly fine. Better safe that sorry
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Old Git Racing]

If you can change head bearings you can check valve clearances, not that hard. Even if you have to remove cams its not that hard. Dont drop anything in the engine, thats the key thing lol.

OGR
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2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[BusterGonads]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Make sure engine is cold, best left overnight.
Checking the timing marks is not hard, but it does have to be bang on.
Lots of writing down measurements in boxes and triple checking calculations.

If you do need shims then you either wait for them to be delivered or you buy a mixed set beforehand.

So just buy the shims now, as sods law dictates that waste of money guarantees the clearances will be in tolerance, either that or the sizes you need are not in the box

Decent feeler gauges, and a light drag is what you're after.
If you're taking the cam holder out, you need to torque it up in the right order and also to the correct torque value, otherwise those nicely adjusted shims might not fit properly anymore.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[redeem ouzzer]

This is why I avoid bikes with shims.

Sometimes it’s easier to chuck a low mileage engine in then fanny about adjusting shin valves.
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Be a REAL MAN!

[Fizzer Thou]

When I bought my Exup 1000 back in 1992 it was the first bike I had owned that used shims.I bought the Haynes manual and set about checking the clearances using Imperial feeler gauges as they go down to a thinner size so can be more accurately measured.Out of 20 valves then eight were found to be below the minimum,both on the inlet and exhaust.There was no way I was going to take it into a shop so I set about doing them myself and I was pleased that I found the procedure relatively easy and straight-forward.

Since then I have done them on other peoples bikes with the owners supervision,so that they could take notes and measurements.

As for changing engines instead of shims......
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[mentalboy]

[TheGazWaz]

Cheers all. I really appreciate your advice and knowledge.

I'm going to check them myself and I just know that if they need adjusting I'm not going to waste the opportunity to learn how to do it especially as the bikes already in bits.

I think my biggest fear is getting the timing wrong but if I follow the Haynes manual step by step it should be OK.

Am I likely to need a new rocker gasket?

I've done valves on my Bandit 1200. These are a piece of cake not only for adjustment but also for access. No shims required. Just lock nut and adjust to spec.

cheers

Gaz
____________________
Went like this.. 43 years old(2013) decided to do CBT to get a 125 for new job. Bought 2011 YBR, loved it for three months then hated it because it was too god damn slow. Did DAS 4 months later then bought RF600 Loved it, sold it bought Bandit 1200(K3). EFFIN lOVED IT. Wanted something a bit more sporty so got Triumph Sprint ST 955i (53). Not sporty enough so now on my GSXR 1000 K3 and absolutely love it. 1 year down the line, nearly died way too many times on this bike. Sold it. Had a 6 month break. Missed biking so now, Aug 2019 have a 1999 ZX9r. What a beauty she is too.

[Easy-X]