Honda CRF450L Valve Adjustment / Shim Thickness Calculation

Don't let adjusting your Honda CRF450L's valves scare you. In this video, we'll go through the steps to pull your cam, remove the old shim, calculate how thick the new shim needs to be, then re-assemble everything. All you'll need is your basic set of tools, a set of thickness gauges, a micrometer (or not), and a torque wrench.
Here's the "How to Check Your Valve Clearance" video - • How To Check Valve Cle...
FOR THE RECORD: I did not have to adjust this valve at this point. At 13,000 miles the valve was still in spec, but I had the top end open so I made a video of what a valve adjustment would look like, if it needed one.
HUGE Shout Out to my Patreon Patrons - You guys and gals keep me making videos when all I want to do is RIDE.
/ johntyoung
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12oCLock Labs Advanced Mini Gauge - bit.ly/3pf0z9V
Rowe Electronics PDM60 Power Module - bit.ly/3mo18MP
AXP Extreme Skid Plate - bit.ly/32tu5ir
Bajaworx KTM Windscreen - www.bajaworx.com/
Motoz Hybrid Xtreme Tires - bit.ly/3kfUeaF
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D.I.D. ERVT 520 Chain - bit.ly/3pkbjUP
Yoshimura RS4 Exhaust - bit.ly/3eG6IqV
Tokyo Mods Vortex ECU - bit.ly/3ndIdVf
San Diego Power House Thermostat Delete - bit.ly/3lfu09F
Skaggs Rack - bit.ly/35epEdc
Flatlands Racing Tail Tidy - bit.ly/2U6S9Dp
Scots Steering Damper - bit.ly/38ncsEV
Nomad 20L Tank - bit.ly/2JSsxZ1
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Zeta Levers, Chain Guide, Heel Plate,
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Baja Designs Squadron Pro/S2 Headlight Kit - bit.ly/3kig90S
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Acerbis CRF450RX Frame Guards - bit.ly/3eERa6V
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#crf450l #crf450lrally #valveadjustment

[@RacingWbr]

You are amazing John. Your channel is a goldmine to me. Just bought my CRF450L last week, and was afraid about this kind of maintenance. Seems doable thanks to you ! Thanks 🙏

[@JohnTYoung]

Oh wow. Well thank you and you’re very welcome!

[@ridehonda444]

I want to put out a huge thank to you! First time I’ve ever messed with valves and was scared I was gonna blow the bike. I followed your video and it was exactly what the job entailed. I just fired it up and it sounds better than ever! Thank you again for taking the time to put together such a comprehensive yet easy to follow step by step guide. Much appreciated and keep up the good work! Follow!

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks 444!

[@geoffhowse3591]

Hey John, was starting to wonder where you'd gone, you've been quiet for so long :( Great to see & hear you again, another great tutorial :) Cheers

[@JohnTYoung]

I've been growing out my beard...

[@whoscook4481]

You are the man John!

[@MatthewBrigham-1]

Glad to see you back JT! There are very few ADV-centered KZbin’ers that actually teach us how to do stuff. Heck…I don’t even have a CRF lol.

[@JohnTYoung]

That's insane. Not that there are so few, but that you watch me! But thank you. WYBDR coming up soon.

[@ebhkkc1]

100% agree !. I have a 2022 450 RL and I am watching all of his installs and it saves me a ton of money. after being ripped off by my local Honda Dealer, I will only take it in for MAJOR issues. Thanks to JOHN !!!

[@JohannesDalenMC]

Good to have you back, John!

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you. I got more up my sleave.

[@SteveInskip]

Thanks John. That was a very good practical explanation and I’ll come back to this vid when the time comes! Good to see you back! 👍

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks Steve.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

I still have to get around to check the valve clearances on my 250L once of these days. One of the benefits of it having a lower-performance engine is that the valves checks don't happen as often.

[@JohnTYoung]

True!

[@1971puffy]

Good to see you JTY!!

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks puffy!

[@jws6076]

Thanks John. I let Honda do the first one on mine. I think now I will try to tackle this next time on my own because it ain’t cheap. Thanks for sharing. Great video. 👍🏼

[@chrishaddad5362]

How much did they charge you?

[@JohnTYoung]

You can do it!

[@jws6076]

@@chrishaddad5362 I can’t remember exactly but the 3000 mile check was like $800. They did some other things but that was the main inspection.

[@andrewhindle6116]

Thanks again John for another well made and informative video. Impressively explained and shown. Another reference tool for me if/when needed.

[@JohnTYoung]

Andrew! These are, sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe sheet. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewhindle6116]

@@JohnTYoung Hmmm, I think someone is being modest. Thanks for making.

[@chrisumfress3021]

Good you have you back.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks Chris!

[@brianavison5902]

Absolutely awesome instructional “valve shim” how to.

[@JohnTYoung]

Oh gosh Brian. Thank you.

[@iteotwawkiaiff8948]

Woohoo! Welcome back!

[@JohnTYoung]

Well, I kinda cheated this one...

[@SurRon_OffRoad]

so good to see you back john... 😍👌

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks' SurRon.

[@christopherhamm1574]

Its great to see you again. Another great video.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks, tho this one was just kinda Meh.

[@jeffreystroman2811]

Ugh, this title reminds me when I did my KZ1100, after much math I was able to move many shims around and only had to order two. Years after I did this I found the paper with all my math, man was it involved. But I did it, and therefore so can you

[@JohnTYoung]

Math ouchies my brain. 😵

[@DesertVetRider]

I don't even own the 450RL, and I watched the video to the end! 😂Learned something! Haha.

[@JohnTYoung]

Certainly nothing about shimming valves... LOL!

[@vanman724]

Clear as usual John and good cautionary tips. You must be close to recommended rings/piston replacement? Think you'll be able stretch that interval out? What would be the driver for that major maintenance? Oil analysis results? Still showing fair bit of fuel in your oil?

[@JohnTYoung]

A compression leak down and then the valves start to show some signs of moving. And of course the bank account test.... I haven't done another oil analysis in a while, but I guess I ought to.

[@Disting2]

Nicely presented however made the valve shim measurement complicated. Without maths, measure shim and select the next size up or down according to requirement. Like if you have a .020 gap and you need .015 gap pick a shim .005 thicker. No maths involved. Get a digital vernier or micrometer makes reading the measurements so easy. Followed you're advice about the Athena Get ecu for my horribly restricted Thailand 450rl and along with a correct inlet manifold rubber the bike has gone from garbage to excellent. Also have a 15L TANK. Keep up the excellent videos.

[@JohnTYoung]

You lost me at maths.

[@tharden7]

Take a black marker and mark the chain and corresponding cam tooth. Make going together a little faster.

[@JohnTYoung]

That's an interesting idea. Thanks.

[@RomulusReemus]

Thank you for this

[@JohnTYoung]

My pleasure!

[@bobbyschroeder7068]

Awesome video! How many miles on your 450L? How many times have you had to make a change in valve clearance? Thank you😎

[@JohnTYoung]

17,000 miles now and I haven't HAD to adjust anything yet. I'll check again here shortly.

[@jamesstewart5146]

Hey man love the bike I got the same one, where did you get your frame guards I can’t find them anywhere thanks

[@JohnTYoung]

They're for the RX model. Just trim them up a bit.

[@joemajinska588]

Great video John! I have to ask.....how many miles did you get before shimming??????

[@JohnTYoung]

I'm at 17,000 and have not had to yet. Maybe at 20,000.

[@michaelanderson3771]

Great 👍 video John

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks 👍

[@DamonBates]

Heaping more love on you LOL; TY again !!

[@JohnTYoung]

Awwwww

[@sachac5435]

good vid john, any wonder i pay someone to do mine lol just wondering how many miles on your bike now and how many valve adjustments have u made cheers mate

[@JohnTYoung]

I'm up to 22,000 and I have yet to actually need an adjustment, but I am overdue for a check. Soon!

[@sachac5435]

Thanks

[@justinlefevre542]

dumb question....i have two strokes so this is the first before me.....any chance the cam chain could slip off the crank gear or slip a tooth while hanging with the zip tie? Another question What do you think of this bike as a light adv bike to get me about 100 miles of mixed tarmac to camp.....200 miles of gravel, dirt, double and single track and 100 miles back. I've read conflicting reports about not having a cush drive. Thanks!!

[@JohnTYoung]

The zip tie just keeps the chain from falling into the crank case. The alignment marks are on the crank and the cams. I’ve got 22,000 miles on my bike with no Kush drive and it’s still going fine…

[@jthondacrf8926]

Awesome video

[@JohnTYoung]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gabrielmarengere1192]

How many miles have you done before doing this well done procedure Sir?

[@JohnTYoung]

I try to get in there every 2000 or 3000 miles.

[@ebhkkc1]

John, Do you like Black Bear pass ? I am thinking of taking my Son while we are visiting Durango. I have 2 days to ride with him and the rest he will be fishing. Can you recommend 2 good days of riding in either Durango, Ouray, or Telluride?

[@JohnTYoung]

Alpine loop all day every day... LOL. But Black Bear down into Telluride and Imogene back out is gnarly but fun... if they're open.

[@ebhkkc1]

@@JohnTYoung thank you so much

[@BandRundown]

Yea man do the alpine loop, engineer pass or animas forks to silverton. I did Black Bear and Imogene in one day. Black bear isn’t even fun once it gets into thick stuff. Spend most of your time white knuckle and hyper focused. It’s only good just to say ya did. Animas Forks to silverton is a fun ride. Wide open trail and can open it up. Did it on a 450L as well

[@ebhkkc1]

@@BandRundown thank you. i will skip black bear pass. My Son is only 15 and on a CRF250F and Doesn't have his motorcycle license yet, so we will need to drive to the trails each time. Can't wait. also I am staying in Durango. Any good routes there ?

[@Mostviews111]

I can't believe I just watched you put suspension grease inside your motor.

[@JohnTYoung]

Is suspension grease a thing? Is that like headlight fluid?

[@ebhkkc1]

only you !! my dumb ass would ruin the motor. Another great video

[@JohnTYoung]

Piece of cake Earl.

[@johnmclaughlin4802]

👍

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks

[@robertlambert7906]

Does this bike have the stage 2 cam

[@JohnTYoung]

Not yet!

[@robertlambert7906]

@@JohnTYoung I got mine just waiting for my ecu to get back will the new cam get us close to 60 hp and is there more Maintenance

[@JohnTYoung]

@@robertlambert7906 More horses is always good. as long as it doesn't affect the longevity.

[@robertlambert7906]

@@JohnTYoung ya that’s what I’m wanting to know u think it will

[@JohnTYoung]

@@robertlambert7906 horsepower - reliability/longevity is a sliding scale. So yes, it will. But by how much is the question.

[@jackmills1274]

What’s the miles now on now 👍🏽

[@JohnTYoung]

17000!

[@jackmills1274]

@@JohnTYoung amazing

[@artiepaveglio5606]

𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚖 ✔️

[@JohnTYoung]

Right?