I've been tempting fate since Aug of 07.   I really wanted to get this valve check out of the way before I tackled that project.  It's done and now I can do it.

It's done and now I can do it.

OK, we are going to quote you on that.....

I've been tempting fate since Aug of 07.   I really wanted to get this valve check out of the way before I tackled that project.  It's done and now I can do it.

OK, we are going to quote you on that.....

He just said that now he can do it, not that he will or when.

Fine point, but absolutely correct.

He just said that now he can do it, not that he will or when.

Fine point, but absolutely correct.

Yeesh.   

Yes, I thought of that before I replied, but I had hoped nobody would notice.

I didn't either, but thank goodness for Conrad.  I owe him a beer for that one.

 

Valve clearances at 55k

Cylinder 1 Intake 005 005 Exhaust 007 008
Cylinder 2 Intake 004 005 Exhaust 007 008
Cylinder 3 Intake 005 005 Exhaust 008 008
Cylinder 4 Intake 005 004 Exhaust 007 007

Valve clearances at 18k or so...

Still trying to find them..

Spark plug gap spot on at .35.  Plugs a tad sooty but otherwise look normal.  The tech chastised me for being too kind to the bike.  I'll try to rectify that this Sunday.

Spark plug gap spot on at .35.  Plugs a tad sooty but otherwise look normal.  The tech chastised me for being too kind to the bike.  I'll try to rectify that this Sunday.

going to church? I don't think that's what the mechanic meant...

Yeah, that's right, Martin.  I'm going to pray that my plugs look better at 110K miles... I rather think I'll be on the road this Sunday for a 300 mile jaunt across Virginia.

Spark plug gap spot on at .35.  Plugs a tad sooty but otherwise look normal.  The tech chastised me for being too kind to the bike.  I'll try to rectify that this Sunday.

Amazes me that Kawi sez to replace plugs every 7500 miles and they are iridium. Does anyone do that?

I'm sure that there might be some who follow that recommendation.  It would be pretty pricey, though, unless they did it themselves.

Valve clearances at 55k

Cylinder 1 Intake 005 005 Exhaust 007 008
Cylinder 2 Intake 004 005 Exhaust 007 008
Cylinder 3 Intake 005 005 Exhaust 008 008
Cylinder 4 Intake 005 004 Exhaust 007 007

Valve clearances at 18k or so...

Still trying to find them..

I assume that was his before measurements....

What did he set them to? (after measurement) and did he give you a map with the shims and thier locations?

Just asking....

Jim, those look to be at the bottom or below the acceptable values, but without the .000X (4th decimal place) we'll (you also) never know 
I used combined feelers to give me .0005" accuracy for my go/no go
Hopefully he set them at the upper limits    this time

Amazes me that Kawi sez to replace plugs every 7500 miles and they are iridium. Does anyone do that?

It is no more ridiculous than their valve checking intervals.  Well, maybe it is more ridiculous.  They are both ridiculous.

I assume that was his before measurements....

What did he set them to? (after measurement) and did he give you a map with the shims and thier locations?

Just asking....

Jim, those look to be at the bottom or below the acceptable values, but without the .000X (4th decimal place) we'll (you also) never know 
I used combined feelers to give me .0005" accuracy for my go/no go
Hopefully he set them at the upper limits    this time

Nope, he measured them and buttoned it up.  No shims were harmed in the procedure.  If I were going to do it, and I'm not, I'd put everything into the center of the adjustments.   I had this done by a Kwak tech on purpose because if anything goes south it's on them, not me.  So I'm happy with it.  The bike runs fine. 

Nope, he measured them and buttoned it up.  No shims were harmed in the procedure.  If I were going to do it, and I'm not, I'd put everything into the center of the adjustments.  I had this done by a Kwak tech on purpose because if anything goes south it's on them, not me.  So I'm happy with it.  The bike runs fine. 

The flip side of this is that you have to keep taking it back to the dealer at 15K intervals to "keep it on them" and that is probably a good idea with 6 valves that may already be past the limit.  I had the same situation with my bike, at 35K there were 14 valves either on the edge or just past it, just like they had been on the 17K valve check,  but it took a lot less time to pull the cams and change all 16 shims than it would take to do another valve check at 50K.  I put all 16 valves as close to the "loose" limit that I could and think this is a lifetime valve adjustment, I probably will never know for sure because I plan to replace the bike at 100K and at this point I don't see any need to ever check the valves again.

The way I'm riding now, 15k miles would be about 3 years...  I can live with that.