2018 Suzuki DL650 V Strom - Valve Clearance Check

This video is a valve clearance CHECK on a Suzuki V Strom 650XT. It is NOT an adjustment. It's the exact same damn thing as a 20 year older SV650. Don't be intimidated by the clearance check.
**DISCLAIMER THAT I SHOULDN'T NEED- I'm not a goddamn mechanic. Use your brain and use the manual. I'm just bored in the middle of winter.

[@nothanks2310]

Best video on this for the sv engine, thanks so much

[@matttriestodothings]

For sure man. Glad it was useful.

[@kevinmithnick9993]

the kind of people world needs

[@matttriestodothings]

Thanks Kevin.

[@sercio994]

This video is gold.

[@matttriestodothings]

Thanks man.

[@vstrom9586]

great video Matt -- thanks for posting

[@matttriestodothings]

For sure man. I appreciate the kind words.

[@podnucmo5]

Such a useful video. Thank you again! I have the 1000xt but this is helping me grow a pair and pull the trigger on that extensive disassembly.

[@matttriestodothings]

Thanks man. The good news is that I've heard the 1000 is much easier if you do have to swap shims due to a completely different cam drive design (chain vs gear). I believe your bike has bigger shims than the ones on the 650. I'd just try to pair it with some other maintenance if/when you have the tank off. If you've gotten the tank off... that's more difficult than actually doing the clearance check itself.

[@1961Sandman]

Great video, thanks Matt from Downunder!!

[@matttriestodothings]

Sure thing, thanks Sandman!

[@long_vacation_tour]

Man, you are a hero. Thank you for this video 🤝

[@matttriestodothings]

No problem man. Glad it was useful.

[@robd754]

well thanks. have a 2019 with 13000km and i hear ticking. was concerned. but happy now. cheers

[@matttriestodothings]

Ticking is generally fine. I can listen to both my sv and dl650 tick. It's generally more alarming if they're not ticking as most valves tend to tighten up with time. Given the low miles you've got, I wouldn't be concerned yet. YMMV obviously as I'm not an expert, but i wouldn't worry about it yet.

[@Oscar240z]

That’s a really useful and well presented video. Thanks very helpful.

[@matttriestodothings]

Thanks 240, I appreciate it.

[@Mad8vCycles]

Super useful vid. Kinda thinking i shoulda made one for the sv but i can just link to yours :)

[@matttriestodothings]

You know these bikes better than almost anyone--I'm confident I'd learn a lot from watching you do one if you get the urge. I went back and found your cam chain tensioner comparison video prior to starting filming this. I actually think that I can remove the CCT spring and bolt without taking a single piece of this DL650 off; however, I've got a new rear tire on the way regardless, so I'll probably pop off the rear wheel.

[@williamfoster4268]

Nice floor, looks like it came out great.

[@matttriestodothings]

Thanks man, I'm loving it so far. It's far from a perfect job, but it came out as good as I could have expected. My mom stopped by with her dog earlier today and the dog got to the bottom of the stairs and refused to walk on it because I assume it looked like liquid to her. It was hilarious. She finally took a step on it and started walking sideways. Hah.

[@williamfoster4268]

You did what most DIY home owners don't do and that's grinding the floor, for that reason alone it'll last 10x as long. Also it's nice to see you didn't use a flake, I just dislike that fad so much. I had a german shepherd growing up, took him to a park and he thought the scum covered water was grass. That dog hated water of any kind after that. Just my Husky run through my screen door out back to get inside, running out I can understand, but inside?!

[@matttriestodothings]

@@williamfoster4268 I'm not sure why everyone defaults to flake. The full broadcast flake for a garage makes sense--especially near me in a place with snow because it'll get really gross... but I think it looks so much more interesting indoors without flake. It definitely shows imperfections a lot more readily though. I see several spots where I thought I did enough concrete repair on cracks but nope, hah.

[@Max.527]

Awesome video. I'm 53k km and still afraid to check valves lol

[@matttriestodothings]

If it's running fine... ehhh... just put it off until you change the coolant. Some people go 100k miles and never look. Other people get unlucky. It seems like these bikes fall into line most of the time or don't get seriously outside of tolerance. That's not me endorsing never checking them. Just that I'd pair it with some other maintenance during a down time. The clearance check really isn't bad. I believe in you!

[@Max.527]

@@matttriestodothings thanks man. I changed my filter today in 30 mins. I think I'll aim for the valve check next year when I get to 75km. Bike is running great so I'm not concerned. Thanks for the info.

[@Charlesray69]

Hi. I'm about to attempt a valve clearance check on my 2019 Vstrom DL1000XT. Do you have a link to where you got the print offs from please? I'm struggling to find any manuals online. Cheers Matt Merseyside, UK

[@matttriestodothings]

Just a heads up--your bike is a bit different than this (if I'm not mistaken). I believe the DL1000's are gear driven cams unlike the chain driven cams of the 650s. It should actually be an easier procedure than what's shown in this video. I was using a physical copy of the factory service manual for this.

[@Kyle-sr6jm]

Great content The headshake camera sucks.

[@matttriestodothings]

When I get an assistant maybe that'll end.

[@batuksri]

I’d like to watch but the constantly moving camera is giving me a headache.

[@matttriestodothings]

It's kind of tough not to if I need to use two hands--though maybe I can try shooting intros by holding the camera on a stick (instead of head mount), so it's not always following my eyes.

[@Mad8vCycles]

@@matttriestodothings i bought a dirt cheap tripod ive been using for all of mine

[@matttriestodothings]

@@Mad8vCycles I used the cheap tripod for part of this, but the complaint of head movement is legitimate. I probably shouldn't use the head mount unless I'm forcing myself not to look around as much. Sometimes it's the only decent way to film something tho. Idk, production value is not something this channel has nor ever will, lol. I just like making vids when I can't find another video of a process, and I can't find any others of a 2017+ DL650 which has more bits like rear ABS to fight with when reaching the rear tensioner.

[@Mad8vCycles]

@@matttriestodothings the problem with head-mounts (same in the shop as on the helmet) is that you're either the camera or the performer. the better you're at one the worse you are at the other (how many times have you ended up with shit video from doing something, or ended up trying to do something with one hand cause the other was busy... )

[@matttriestodothings]

@@Mad8vCycles hah, I suppose that's very true. I never realize how often I check blind spots while riding until I see my helmet footage. At an intersection my head must look like it's flying around on a pivot. Doesn't make for good video at all.

[@yosarian1984]

which manual are you using? im new to motorcycles and have only ever used haynes manuals for cars.

[@matttriestodothings]

This is the big boy Factory Suzuki Manual. I've always just bought the Haynes and been fine for the most part. I just figured to buy the big one since this is the only new vehicle I've ever bought in my life. I'm still getting used to it. While there's more information, it's harder to find it. I have no idea why they didn't decide to put a glossary for the final pages of the book..

[@yosarian1984]

@@matttriestodothings thank you. Where did you get it from? Straight from suzuki?

[@matttriestodothings]

@@yosarian1984 I bought it from genuinesuzukimanuals.com for $90 + 12 shipping (6/17/2018). I _think_ is associated with Suzuki America and the official place for us Colonials to buy the manual. They shipped a real one to me--I know that for a fact. I've successfully used the Haynes for a lot of work on other bikes and they've been sufficient for the most part. They're not as in-depth, but I also go to the internet to research shit before I turn a wrench which usually fills in the blanks. So it's up to you on which route you want to go. If I was doing serious engine work I wouldn't think twice about ordering the Factory manual. However, I think with what I'm planning to do.. I'd have been fine with the Haynes.

[@kevinmithnick9993]

@@yosarian1984 Or you can do a google search before buying the suzuki one. Maybe it's not the same clear quality as the original but content is the same