Got around to valve check at 39K................

[LgFJR]

Had a retired mechanic from Yamaha do it........a real perfectionist and he found 4 of the exhaust valves on the low end of the specs. They had closed down to around 6mm, so he brought them up to mid spec along with the rest. All the intakes were in the middle of spec and fine. So the 26K seems to be on the conservative side. I plan on keeping my 05 so the next check will be a long ways off.......probably at 90K and that will be years down the road. Pretty happy with Yam, they build a rock solid machine. It's a beeotch to work on tho! per the mech.......he made it clear he wasn't interested in helping with a bunch of FJR's.........lol.............

 

[John d]

I think you meant to say 0.006" instead of 6mm. Did you notice any difference afterwards?

 

[SkooterG]

I plan on keeping my 05 so the next check will be a long ways off.......probably at 90K and that will be years down the road.

That would be stupid. Why gamble with your motor? I did just did a valve check too. At 130k, and 38k since the last one. I had several exhaust valves they were VERY tight. NOT good. That's the longest I have ever gone between valve checks and I won't be doing it again.

 

[Fred W]

Feeling a difference from re-shimming a couple of valves is not very likely. Maybe if you adjusted them all, and even then it would be very subtle

Why would anyone re-shim an engine that is already "in spec?" Is he doing this pro bono? All 8 of my intakes were at .006" for the first two checks. It wasn't until the 75k mile check that I needed to re-shim.

And, more importantly, why would you think that based on a single datapoint that you can forgo the regular checks? These are one preventive maintenance item that I would never skip. Skip pumpkin juice change, or a suspension pivot lube, or even an oil change, but when the valve meets the piston you will not be a happy boy.

 

[MCRIDER007]

Why would anyone re-shim an engine that is already "in spec?" Is he doing this pro bono? All 8 of my intakes were at .006" for the first two checks. It wasn't until the 75k mile check that I needed to re-shim.

When I read the OP it appears that 4 of the the exhausts were at .006....which is not in spec.

 

[Scarbutt]

I have checked my valves every 26k and just did my 156k valve check.......I am Happy to report that I am still within factory specs with the original shims......He Ha

I pulled the cams to install a new cam chain just for the hell of it and installed a new Revised Cam chain tensioner......I highly recommend this tensioner as it has a stronger spring ......took the strange rattling noises out of the engine.

John

 

[SkooterG]

I have checked my valves every 26k and just did my 156k valve check.......I am Happy to report that I am still within factory specs with the original shims.....

Wow, that is pretty incredible. I seem to have to change them more times than not.

 

[Chuck35]

but when the valve meets the piston you will not be a happy boy.

I don't think piston intersect is the most likely risk. When a valve no longer seats fully (to tight) the hot gasses passing by it erode the sealing surface. burnt valve...

 

[Fred W]

Why would anyone re-shim an engine that is already "in spec?" Is he doing this pro bono? All 8 of my intakes were at .006" for the first two checks. It wasn't until the 75k mile check that I needed to re-shim.

When I read the OP it appears that 4 of the the exhausts were at .006....which is not in spec.

Went back and re-read. Yes,. he was talking exhaust valves, but the measurement reported was 6mm, which had to have been an error. So maybe it was some exhausts at .006" which would require shimming. Good catch. But that supports my point about checking on schedule. If the first check showed a bunch of valves worn past spec, it would encourage me want to do the next check even more so.

I have checked my valves every 26k and just did my 156k valve check.......I am Happy to report that I am still within factory specs with the original shims.....

Wow, that is pretty incredible. I seem to have to change them more times than not.

If you look at my old poll on this, you would find that your experience is an anomaly, Skooter. The odds heavily favor no adjustment being required at any valve check.

Also, Chuck, you're correct about the tight tolerances causing burnt valves, not bent ones.

 

[RossKean]

My first check wasn't until 50,000 miles! All in spec but two intake valves were at the minimum. Second check with a little less mileage interval - +36,000 miles for a total of 86,000. Four intakes were right at the minimum (a couple a "tight" fit but a fit none the less). Interesting that the OP had issues with exhaust valves - mine have been pretty much in the center of the range both checks and haven't changed. Intakes have tightened up slightly.

From now on, valves will be done each winter - lots of time to do that around here. Typically ride on the order of 25,000 miles/year. Not much point in stretching the envelope too much for this critical check.

 

[LgFJR]

(I think you meant to say 0.006" instead of 6mm. Did you notice any difference afterwards?) Now we know why I don't do the checks.........lol..................

I am thrilled the guy brought the 4 exhaust valves up to mid spec........my reasoning is if you're going to tear all that tupperware down you may as well make it count and think long range. All during my run up to 39K I was watching like a hawk for any change in idle or rough running, at the last I just couldn't deal with it mentally going past 40K and not taking a peek. At the same time I had him put in the new CCT which seems to be failure prone, and also a minor thing of replacing the dash lights with those spiffy LED"s that Ignacio posted a long time back. The dumbest thing found was my plugs were only finger tight and were on the way to working loose......I have the Iridiums and they were fine otherwise. He also did the syncro on the injectors so I now have one fine running moto. The butt dyno seems to indicate a slightly stronger pull, probably the injectors all injecting at the right time..........although he said the injectors were very close to begin with. From the looks of things and the other replies 90K-100K looks doable........

Just fwiw this long time mechanic who ended up in Yamaha headquarters with input into the design and rideability said that the valves can get down to almost closed before they start doing bad things to themselves. In other words there is quite a bit of slack before it all goes down the drain in his view. Your mileage may vary.........just quoting what the man said, and he seems to really know his stuff. No other bikes exist in his worldview, only Yamaha!