Author Topic: Valve clearance  (Read 4291 times)

CROSSBOLT

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Valve clearance
« on: May 11, 2013, 03:43:22 PM »
Check 'em NOW! Did mine yesterday and they were less than .002"!! The service manual says .12mm which is .0047" so I set them at .0045". We will see how that does for a while.

Karl
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de dee

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #1 on: May 12, 2013, 12:50:27 AM »
  I did mine at 28,000 km.  intake was good the exhaust was tight on both valves,   

CROSSBOLT

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #2 on: May 12, 2013, 08:30:44 PM »
I am beginning to think it might be a good idea to check 'em as soon as we get 'em. As good as I think Kymco is I am starting to wonder on this point.....

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
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Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

de dee

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #3 on: May 12, 2013, 08:50:52 PM »
  hey isnt this what we pay the dealer set up charges for ,. or is it just installing wind sheild, inflate tires , check brakes,. and install handel bars,.  and the hard part  take your money,. 

Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #4 on: May 12, 2013, 10:19:16 PM »
I tell you what's really spooky - when you pay for a valve adjustment. And then ride off for several K miles ...and maybe they did not bother to check the valves. Had that happen to me yrs ago with a VW beetle - the old touch of paint on the valve cover which was unbroken when I got it home! Service manager's face was purple an hour later (po'd at me and the service tech)
« Last Edit: May 13, 2013, 09:32:05 PM by Stig »
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duesouth

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #5 on: May 13, 2013, 05:34:06 PM »
I've never done a valve job, but thinking about it because my Kymco dealer is far away and it's a pain to wait, and the one time I tired scheduling an appointment was a bit of a fiasco. Looking in the service manual I have, it says the clearing for the intake and exhaust is .10mm, not .12mm. Am I missing something?

duesouth

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #6 on: May 13, 2013, 05:41:36 PM »
Oh, now that's weird. I found another manual and it says .12. the Difference between the two manuals is the .1mm is for the ABS Downtown. Since mine is not abs, I think I'll stick with the .12.

CROSSBOLT

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #7 on: May 13, 2013, 07:18:52 PM »
About dealers: Mine has $200.00 prep and set-up NON-negotiable. What does he do for 200 bucks? Very little. Puts battery in usually without charging it. Put it together which MAY involve installing the front wheel, mirrors, etc. Not impressed by a long shot. I don't think it is a requirement to check the valves on a new machine and I think we are blessed with that!

I do not know what is up with the service manuals not saying the same thing. The EPA sticker inside the luggage tub says .1 mm and the manual I have says .12 mm and duesouth found one that says .1 mm. Considering the boners pulled in both the Owner's manual and the service manuals it is a wonder the discrepancy is not larger. I will probably set 'em at .1 mm (.004") the next time.

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
Agility 50
Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

kantuckid

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2013, 11:39:31 PM »
Are you being tongue in cheek?-I doubt very many people can set a valve clearance on any machine to within the .00079mm difference in the values mentioned above? ;D

.12mm minus .10mm = not so much...

Vivo

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #9 on: May 15, 2013, 02:51:53 AM »
Valve adjustment? I just do the Go-no-go technique... works like a charm...   ;)

CROSSBOLT

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2013, 04:41:31 PM »
Nah, not tongue in cheek, just practical. My old feeler gages take two leaves to make .0045" and only one for .004". We all get 'em a little different so getting close and consistent is the goal. The disturbing thing is that they can be so far out from the get-go from an otherwise excellent factory. I would go INSANE if setting valve clearances was my real job!

Karl
Karl

Three motorcycles 1960-1977 (restored a 1955 BSA)
Agility 50
Yager 200i
Downtown 300i
Navy tech, Ships Engineer, pilot and aircraft mechanic

ophelia

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2013, 11:54:54 PM »
At 10000 km, my intake and exhaust valves were tighter than 0.1 mm clearance. There is a valve adjustment tool available to hold the centre adjustment nut still while you tighten the locknut; otherwise, the centre adjustment nut tightens along with the locknut. I made do without, but it took a few tries to get the clearance just right.

Double and triple checked my clearances. Started right up.
2011 Kymco Downtown 300i

moparkid

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2013, 08:39:13 PM »
What would be tell tale signs that your valves need to be adjusted??

Stig / Major Tom

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #13 on: June 08, 2013, 12:35:32 AM »
What would be tell tale signs that your valves need to be adjusted??

If you have a LIKE 200i, please do not be afraid to check your valves. Set aside a few hours, so you don't feel rushed, though it will likely take you 1 1/2 hours the first time.
Take off the seat, and the battery cover, cover the battery with a rag, take off the center plastic panel - the hardest part of the procedure~!, but it's not so hard once you wiggle and unclip it.
Then follow the video - and, Bob's You're Uncle ~! ...you've adjusted your valves!

How to tell if they need adjustment? Well, they'd pretty much have to be way out of adjustment to notice much of anything. Too loose and they click like crazy --- too tight and they make no sound difference that could be heard over the engine noises. A little too loose is OK: too tight is dangerous for your engine.
Watch several videos on youtube (some are in German -but easy to follow) then take a shot at it!
The big thing is to take your time - because you're learning as you go along. We all had to.....
Ride Safe!
« Last Edit: June 08, 2013, 12:37:32 AM by Stig »
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MotoRandy123

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Re: Valve clearance
« Reply #14 on: June 08, 2013, 12:22:23 PM »
I did an inspection on my new scoot and while at it I opened the valve cover
and jiggled the rockers. If they move your OK. (0.01 isn't much!)
2012 Yager GT 200I - Southern NH

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