Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C10, aka Kawasaki Concours - The Original => The Bike - C10 => Topic started by: MizzouMike on June 09, 2011, 07:53:42 PM

Title: Stuck Valve
Post by: MizzouMike on June 09, 2011, 07:53:42 PM
OK,  I was adjusting the valves, and one of lock 10mm nuts is really REALLY tight.  So tight that I couldn't get it to turn with my little box end wrench, and I put the 3/8 drive socket on it, and I was starting to get worried I was torqueing on it so hard (that is when I stopped, and decided to ask the masses).

Particulars, 2003, 26k on the ODO, and 7K from the last valve adjust.  Just to clarify if his helps, it is on an intake valve, and the clearance as it stands stuck is between 0.20mm and 0.25mm   

Since it was a little loose, I decided that was better than breaking something by trying to loosen the nut.

Any thoughts guys and gals?
Title: Re: Stuck Valve
Post by: Vic Salisbury on June 10, 2011, 10:45:52 AM
Many moons ago I broke off an adjuster from over tightening (on a CB750k bike). Back in the day though the dealers had those parts in stock.
Loosening, yeah the potential is there that the screw could snap off. I did have one that was tight on my Connie the last valve check, and I had to break it loose with a socket/ratchet combo, no problem, I might have got lucky though.
With 26k, your real close to where the tolerances wont change much between checks, so your loose gap there might not change, will stay loose.

Worst case, before attempting to loosen, I'd just get in hand an adjuster screw and nut.
Somebody here might even have one available to offer?
I don't have any internal parts to speak off, otherwise I would.
Title: Re: Stuck Valve
Post by: gtr1000 on June 10, 2011, 11:51:21 AM
Soak it in penetrating oil (WD40?) for 24-48 hours, then have another go.

But yes, be prepared to have spares in hand.

Did you do the last valve adjustment or someone else and what was the nut torqued down to? One grunt or two or more  ;D
Title: Re: Stuck Valve
Post by: MizzouMike on June 10, 2011, 12:42:09 PM
I think I am going to roll with it until the next valve adjust, and I will make sure I have an additional nut and screw on hand, so if I do shear it off trying to loosen it, I will be able to replace it.

Other than that, the valves were in pretty good shape.  Not much movement at all this time (last time they were very tight).