At 25,000 almost all of mine needed changed. One was four or five steps from being correct. But if you have a typical dealer tech check them, chances are, they will all be fine.
Because Kawasaki quotes two different mileage intervals depending on where the bike was sold. If sold in the US or Canada, a valve lash check is required at 15K miles. If sold anywhere else in the world the intervals are 26,000 miles. The valve trains are identical between all C-14s so there is no mechanical reason for this difference. The only reason any of us could ever think of was emissions- it is probably a US regulation and Canada just got lumped in so all the bikes sold in both countries have the same maintenance schedule.
At any rate, it is pretty odd and has confused a lot of people since the bike was first introduced.
Brian
What you mean by "four or five steps of being correct"?
Were the valve clearances all out of the acceptable RANGE? Or they were just not in the middle of the range?
I would have to assume from his explanation that he had to go 4 shim size difference to bring it to range, which seems a bit high, but it isn't un imaginable.
My personal experience was similar, but not as excessive, and must needed a shim 2 sizes from where they were to bring them in mid range/high mid range; which is where I suggest folks aim to when they do this. With careful measuring, and creative swapping of the barrels along with the shims, you can set them all at the top limit, prolonging the service interval safely, knowing you aren't at the bottom limit when you button it up.....kinda like saying because the oil on your dipstick is sitting 1/32nd of an inch from the "add oil" line.
That reminds me: It is my understanding that the valve clearance on these bikes will always decrease (or remain constant) with wear. Is that correct, or can the clearance increase with usage?
That is my exactly my point, same bike but across the pond manual states 24K for valve clearance !
But wouldn't that be in Kilometers? Which is 15,000 miles?
How in the hell does longitude have anything at all to do with any questions or answers in this thread?
This thread has a lot of people wondering. <snip>Only the new guys. We've hashed this repeatedly and mostly concluded it's a function of emission warranties/legalities. Possibly also related to the lack of the O2 sensor.