Valve adjustment question

[beemermyke]

I'm at 66,000 miles on my 04 R1150RS and started a 6k service after I got home this afternoon from a local toy run. Well, before I pull the valve covers off, I was wondering... do any of you wrench heads here ever skip the valve adjustment portion of the 6k? Might be a stupid question, but the last two times I've done it, they've been within limits. I do my oil, valves, and throttle body adjustment like clockwork, but was toying with the idea of going to 12k on the valves. I know... it's easy enough to do. By the way... have the newer hex heads go to a 12k valve adjustment interval?

[jingdog]

Is it worth a burned valve to you? It might be just fine then again if its not OK it could be real trouble. What other people do means nothing. They might get away with it.

[MotorradMike]

Hey Myke:

Are you trolling?

If not, here's my 2 cents. I believe Oilhead valves get looser and more noisy if left alone. Not to worry. I do them in the Winter regardless of miles and get a new bike every Spring(quieter, that's all).

Loose valves don't burn. Poor valve seats lead to recession and tight valves which do burn.

:lurk

Shields up. This ain't over.

[jingdog]

He's just trying to push the envelope.

[JimMoore]

I've gone 9-10K miles between changes a few times. Interestingly, I've found that my valves are starting to tighten up a little bit in between adjustments. I abuse that bike mercilessly, so maybe I'm creating that phenomenon.

[jfremder]

On our 80k mi. RT, i'd gone to 10k+ on checks. Hadn't touched them for 30k, then tightened up the rocker end play, so starting over...

[jamesdunn]

Okay. Here's the dirty truth! I missed a valve adjustment (or two) on my '94 and went about seventeen thousand miles without a check or adjustment. I know, I know...very bad! I won't let that happen again! Anyway, when I checked only one exhaust valve needed a bit of adjustment on the right side; the rest were dead on. I have decided to adjust every spring regardless of miles unless I start riding it a whole lot more. Right now that would be about a 10,000 mile check/adjust.

[beemermyke]

See Jamesdunn's How often do you check and adjust the valves on your oilhead? post...

[flars]

"...I believe Oilhead valves get looser and more noisy if left alone...."
Actually, as the engine wears, the valves will get tighter on these bikes.
As to interval - I check the clearance every 6,000 miles, but haven't actually adjusted anything in the last 42,000 miles on my '98 RS. On my 2002 RT, I haven't had to adjust anything in the last 18,000 miles (although they are a tad looser than I would normally adjust them to) - which is how long I have owned it.

[JimVonBaden1]

I know several who have gone to 12K intervals on their valve adjusts based on not needing to adjust the last few times. I don't see any issue with it. In general, they get looser rather than tighter as the parts wear.

Jim :brow

[jamesdunn]

I know several who have gone to 12K intervals on their valve adjusts based on not needing to adjust the last few times. I don't see any issue with it. In general, they get looser rather than tighter as the parts wear.

Jim :brow
Now this is interesting, as on airheads they very definitely get tighter. I would think the same of oilheads, and that is what I have noted when adjusting them on those models, in particular on the exhaust valves. Not a lot, but a little tight nonetheless.

[JimVonBaden1]

Now this is interesting, as on airheads they very definitely get tighter. I would think the same of oilheads, and that is what I have noted when adjusting them on those models.

I believe the airheads had some issues with the valves wearing into the head surface. This does not appear to be the case with oilheads.

Jim :brow

[Brettendress]

On my o4 1150gs they never need done at 6k so after 25,000 miles I just stopped checking them until 12,000 and never have a problem. I'm now at 75,000. I believe (just my 2 cents) it has a lot to do with riding style. If your up against the rev limit all the time then 6k would be necessary but my GS is more for trips so the valves and engine don't take a beating every time I'm out, I save that type of riding for the VFR or the xr650L. In fact even at 12,000 mine are hardly out at all, usually just the exhaust need some work.

Brett Endress
Altoona PA

[kbasa]

It only takes a few minutes to check them. If they need adjustment, do it. If not, leave them alone. Our RS generally didn't need adjustment once it was past 50K, but when it did, it was always a slightly tight exhaust valve. Tight valves dont' allow proper heat transfer from the valve face to the head, so they'll burn.

And valve/follower clearances don't get looser over time, they invariably get tighter. And tight valves will lead to head work.

[kbasa]

I believe the airheads had some issues with the valves wearing into the head surface. This does not appear to be the case with oilheads.

Jim :brow

Airheads from 1983 and 1984 had issues with valve recession. The valve seats were too soft to deal with unleaded fuel. Over time, the valves would pound the seats into submission and "tulip" the valve head.

The only solution is to rebuild the heads with appropriate valve seats. When my 1983 R100RS needed the heads redone, I had big valves installed, along with some mild porting and polishing. It really helped with mid range torque and was completely worth the slightly added expense over a completely stock rebuild.

I was performing valve adjustments every other week by the time I pulled the heads and sent them out.

[MotorradMike]

We have claims on both sides.

I think the only way they can get tighter is seat recession. All the other wear points will make them looser as wear occurs.

Those on the 'get tighter' side, please post how you think the valves could get tighter.

Inquiring minds need to know.

[kgadley01]

I went 12K once, but I like to check them every 6 to 8 K. I believe the more miles you get on the engine the less the valves change. but it never hurts to check them. only takes a few minutes...

[riderR1150GSAdv]

I check the every 6K. If they need adjustment, fine, if not fine too. To me it is worth the effort as a burnt valve is more trouble than I care to deal with. YMMV