In all the posts regarding valve clearances as a maintenance item, I don't recall any valves ever being found to actually be out of spec. One contributor talks about finding a burnt valve and this is what Im talking about when I say abuse. A burnt valve would display obvious symptoms and that is not what we are discussing here. Another contributor Bud Callaghan talks about the clearances being on the low (tight) side. What are you talking about? If the clearance is within spec it's fine. Moving the clearances to the middle of the range will do absolutely nothing except make you sleep better at night. As a matter of fact increasing the clearance decreases the valve lift, not something I would want to do. You, my friend, give the worst possible kind of advice and that is unsubstantiated and TOTAL OVERKILL. The point is, that if you are worried about engine problems in a C14 you are just being paranoid. This engine is bulletproof, unless you totally abuse the sh... out of it. And even that is hard to do with the rev limiter and quality of construction. Of all the motorcycles I have owned this is by far the most dependable. And believe me I am a maintenance freak. However, too many shade tree mechanics have listened to advice form owners like Callaghan, who may actually be able to accomplish this task competently, and attempted to service the valve train themselves by replacing shims with disastrous results. I have seen charts and programs and videos and heard all the comments. You are seriously risking total and catastrophic engine failure if you, or your so called qualified Kawasaki mechanic, makes one small mistake. Why would you rather take that risk over the infinitesimally small risk, and you would decide based on ridiculous and unqualified posts in this and other Concours forums, that the valves were found to be out of spec and require changing? Which by the way requires removing the cams, not something you really want to ever have to do. During the manufacturing process the valve clearances are all checked and double checked by a qualified engine builder. The engine only passes if the valves are found to be IN SPEC. It would be impossible for an engine to slip through this important quality control check and be further assembled. As far as the warranty is concerned. Maintenance done by owner. Period end of story. However, it is your bike. You can listen to the kooks who have nothing better to do then take their engines apart or do the research and see just how many engines are actually found to have valves truly out of spec.
Sir, thanks for stopping by and sharing your oppinions....and vast knowledge of this engine, and the associated database of the accumulation of many of us here that have 5 years on this bike so far.
Coining the phrase "kooks", following the rediculous diatribe you have laid out here wins zero in the credibility file....especially from some of us that HAVE been inside the engine....more than once....because WE DO have the tools and skillset to accomplish something you apparently do not have...
I was the Technical Editor of The Concours Owners Group at the time of the first C14's release, bought it to make sure I could provide the tech advice that needed to be shared.
I checked valve clearance @ 16k, and again at just over 20k, and swapped and moved shims, and replaced others, along with swapping Bucket positions, to provide maximum duration between future swaps... (i.e. took them to the upper threashold of the range.)
as iot was 7 of the valves were at or less than the lowest limit.
I have posted here, and so have others, the amount of shim/valve settings that were not within the operating parameters, but actually BELOW the limits fo clearances.
Your opinions are just that. Opinions. And the thought that everything that went on when the first couple years of engines were assembled in tha factory "perfectly" is rediculous....what world are you living in?
With 7 posts under your belt. you might be better off adjusting your hatband a bit, and not dis' the folks here that know a bit about this.
My Kawi will go well over 100k before I get into the motor. Change oil and filter, tires, brake pads and ride it. JMHO.
tell us how this all works out for ya....we have lotsa time....
