VFR800 - valve clearance check.

Finally checked my valve clearances after 58,000km (36,000miles) on my 99 model.

I can see why this is an expensive job when performed by a shop.

It took 2 hours to strip the bike removing all fairings, fuel tank, left hand radiator (it makes the job easier) air cleaner housing and valve covers. (and I have done all bar removing the air filter before)

Another 2 hours to check all clearances, remove camshafts, grind shims and refit. There were 4 intake valves that needed adjustment.

Then another 2 hours to refit all the parts. – That’s 6 hours – I know I am slow and methodical and some time may be saved in a shop with a more experienced mechanic, but I doubt the job could be done in less than 4 hours if an adjustment is needed.

The most difficult part of the job proved to be removing and re-fitting the air filter housing – a pig with all its tubes and connectors and no room to work.

For the record. The 4 inlet valves that were out, had clearances of 0.11mm (x3) and one at 0.12mm. All the others I could get either a 0.15mm or 0.13mm feeler gauge in. All exhaust valves were either right on at 0.30mm or I could get a 0.28mm gauge in. I suppose I could have kept riding without adjustment but thought it best to just grind the four offending shims down. Most manuals warn against this, but I have done this successfully on many bikes over the past years. As long as you know a little about grinding flats, it is not too hard.

 

Hi Capt John, you must the owner of the " other " 50th Anni I hear about floating around the Southcoast when stopping at the Robo Pie shop.

 

I could well be that rider as I often ride the Maquarie Pass.
I would like to ride with you sometime so we could get the two bikes together for a photo - great to see another 50th Anniversary enthusiast.

John

 

Sounds good, will PM you next OzVFR Pie shop / 'Roo Valley run or when I head down next on a solo head clearing ride. :smile:

 

Grinding shims takes the hardened surface off so the go out of adjustment loads quicker