How to adjust motorcycle valves -- shim style --

[@jazzmeup1]

I know it’s an old video but running across it, I appreciate you posting. So far it’s the best description on why to use a zip tie , what is the purpose for and what you are really looking for when you are using it. Thanks!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Glad to help!

[@Dude13450]

I was talking to mech about a valve adjustment on my XJ700 because of my fuel starvation at higher RPM and a rattling sound from the top end (like a valve out of proper lash). He was telling me that valve adjustments would be about a 2-3 hour job (~$160-200 + plus parts), saying the he would have to remove the whole camshafts to replace the shims. After he described the process I was turned off from doing it myself (I work on my cars 95% of the time), but after watching this, this can be easily done at home for around a $90 shim kit. The guy is usually very trustworthy and actually the best motorcycle mechanic in town (been operating for over 3 generations), but I think this one I will handle at home.

[@mrmaxstorey]

+Dude13450 I have faith in you

[@Michiganborn1969]

Holy crap! I wish I knew this procedure over a year ago. I just might have held on to my XJ-700. Just as you said lol, but even the service manuel I had made no mention of a way to hold down the valve to get the shim out (I thought they were called tappetts). You advice is huanting me. Good video.

[@josephwu3136]

Bro thank you so much. I have a xj550 and the zip tie in the valve trick worked out well!

[@DanTheFordFixer]

thats brilliant, I've been putting off doing my valve adjustment for a long time, now I don't have to take the cams out. thanks

[@budhansen6403]

Thank you so much for this video, it has made this process so easy. The trick with the zip tie, awsome!

[@DasCayman]

Where did you order your valve shims from?

[@DenMarGarage]

arg where was this yam xj550 when i was reviving mine lol. great vids. ill be using these vids when i decide to get off my butt and redo mine again.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah I got this technique from the forums, I doubt that it would be mentioned in any repair manual

[@boilup709]

Cool video, I'll never try and use a valve shim tool again after trying the zip-tie/heavy piece of insulated wire method.

[@mrmaxstorey]

No need, a $0.01 zip tie did the job just fine, no fumbling required. But thank you very much for the suggestion.

[@StrinePCs]

You could just order the Yamaha valve shim tool from like eBay or such. I paid $12 after shipping and it makes that job 10X easier instead of having to fumble with a zip tie or whatever.

[@formegolf]

Very cool Video Max...very cool. Thank you!

[@Viper6-MotoVlogger]

Excellent video as usual!

[@CraigBMM]

brilliant .. haha ,, nice video .. too bad mine has buckets over the shims kawasak

[@mrmaxstorey]

This should be done as regular maintenance, if you don't know how long it has been then its a good idea to do it. Valves should emit a very slight ticking sound when running that you can hear over the engine, quiet valves are too tight

[@fetalplutto]

Wow - you make it look easy! :) I tried this on my xj600s but got discuraged after I removed the tank.. Do you think it's equaly as easy on the xj600s as on the xj550?

[@twinbadger1]

Great video!! Just a thought what would happen in the tape came off in the cylinder. Would it mess it up or burn up.

[@mrmaxstorey]

twinbadger1 It would just burn up

[@bjr11179]

how do it find a shim guide for a 94 honda f2 i cant seem to find any and i love all your vids

[@ShaqX7]

Wow, you can't get more precise info that this. I own an 82' Xs400r seca, so everythung looks almost identical. I have a question about your technique though. Isn't it better to use set the timing plate to tdc and check left hand valves, then repeat for the right hand valves? I really want to get this right. Thanks in advance!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah, cams come out for under bucket shims. On this gaping chart it is the total gap, which is why there is that white line along the top portion of the chart. That represents acceptable gap, so no adjustment is necessary

[@mrmaxstorey]

One step ahead of you! Altho they cost a little more than $5, 2 of the ones we are getting for free, and the other 2 there is a surcharge for because he only has NOS in stock. Still, way cheaper than the dealer

[@MrGhirbo]

removed a chain guide. Your prompt answer made me sleep tonight.

[@ryanmoen5942]

Hey Mr Max Storey, I just started playing with an '81 xj550. Needing to replace some gaskets and looking at the cams while I'm there. Thank you for the video. Could you point me in the direction of the dedicated forum. Cheers, RyMo

[@mrmaxstorey]

xjbikes.com

[@tylermac8345]

do you make your own valve cover gaskets to seal this back up or do you order them? also, whats the bet way to go about scraping off the old gasket without getting debris in the engine? Thanks.

[@bc9477]

Hey man! Very informative videos, i really appreciate it. One question, i have an EX500 which started to click/tick while i ride. It can't be heard on idle, even or maybe just barely on neutral while reving. But it can be heard while i ride and it's like "tack tack tack tack tack" sound like a chain would rattle. It increases with RPMs and goes away if i pull in the clutch. Some people suggested that those are valves tapping, but then again i would expect them to tap much faster creating more "trrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr" sound, plus this started right away when i got my bike from a garage where they installed a 35kW restrictor which restricts the movement of my throttle cable. They also replaced my chain but since it increases with RPMs not wheel speed i don't think it's that... I kinda hope it's the cam chain tensioner or CCT, since it's easy to replace.... I really don't feel like tearing the engine down and replacing the coolant and syncing carbs and stripping all the fairings down since i've done that like a month ago -.- The bike is 1997 and by the dials has 13.000miles and by the looks of the chewed left engine cover screw for manual turning it had the valves adjusted at least once i guess..

[@mrmaxstorey]

Blaz Cigale Hmm I cant imagine what impact the restrictor would have on this ticking noise, but its definitely worth consulting the shop that did the work and see if they would look at the bike again, perhaps a sloppy mechanic knocked something loose. Ticking noises can be tough to diagnose, sometimes it can be spark escaping to the frame, camchain like you mentioned, or the valves ticking which can go away as you increase the rpms. Really get in there and listen, and try to pinpoint exactly where its coming from, so you can point it out to the shop and see if they can give you an explanation.

[@ericsilverman7784]

What about taking the shims out of a bike that is shim under bucket? Do you have to take the cams out or buy a special lifting tool? Also, in the gaping chart, is that the gap between the feeler gauge and factory spec?

[@robertbrandywine]

I can't imagine a way to do this without removing the cam shafts.

[@liveTwoFish]

Another great how to! I'm thinking I should perform this on my bike! Two questions, where can I get my hands on that chart and where do you order your shims/parts from? Cheers

[@mrmaxstorey]

If you want to buy some I have a bunch of shims for an XJ650 Id sell. Or you can access the shim swap on the forum. I also got that chart from the forum

[@jerryking1434]

@@mrmaxstorey Whats the name of the forum..??

[@MrGhirbo]

shim job finished today. i want to fine tune carbs by inspecting spark plugs. Should i do this before or after the carb sync job?

[@thebambinofan]

Would have appreciated the tweezer warning earlier. Otherwise, great video! -From my couch

[@mike-lv4rf]

quick question, when you are done are you suppose to put it back to Top dead center? or does that matter?

[@MrGhirbo]

There is this MOD called DIY Ignition Advance. This mod will allow you to adjust your ignition timing from 0 to 4 degrees, advance. This provides better power through mid and upper RPM band. If i do this mod will i have to re-tune and sync carbs ?

[@jibulol]

love your vids!

[@MrGhirbo]

@mrmaxstorey My cam chain is loose in some sections and good in other sections. I hear noises from there and i thought the valves were bad but 3 of them were too tight. Bike has 70.000 km. Yamaha xj 600 diversion. I made a 1 min video of me inspecting the chain. I want to replace it now or dont replace it because it is hard to pull the cover of the engine out.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Just gotta wiggle it out man, get a flashlight down in there see if one of your chain guides got dislodged or something and is binding the chain

[@mrmaxstorey]

I order them. Best way I have found is to just use a razor blade and be careful, if ts a real mess you can have a vacuum hose with you and suck up the debris as you go

[@MrGhirbo]

I'm stuck. Can i rotate the engine (using the timing plate) without the camshafts and camchain in place?

[@dixoncider7256]

Thumbs up for "wifes eyebrow tweezers"

[@mrmaxstorey]

Thats the point man... it is easy

[@LiveToRidee]

finally another video!

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah Id say so, but don't assume the clearance numbers are the same

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah I'd go ahead and replace it, and if it is an automatic tensioner replace that too.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Not for this bike. Setting it at TDC only affects the 1st cylinder, the rest are in different stages of being open/closed, so they will not be able to be measured

[@MrGhirbo]

i chose to rotate the engine using the timing plate and the cam chain got stuck down there. Yamaha xj 600 has the chain in middle of the engine.

[@aaronlee8845]

Can you plz help me identify the sound that's coming from my bike. Video's at Noise - gs550

[@xenolard]

That's dirty ... I love it.

[@rfrashid]

how does the valve gap get smaller thanks

[@mrmaxstorey]

The valves hammer into their seats over time

[@mrmaxstorey]

After. Be prepared to sync multiple times

[@mrmaxstorey]

Probably not, but Ive never done this mod before

[@altlandf]

I have a 82 XJ650 that doesn't run. Today I checked the valves once again. Cylinder 1 is exhaust .05 mm pad is Y280. Intake is .08 mm and the pad is Y285. Cylinder 2 exhaust .05 mm Pad Y275. Intake .05 mm pad Y290. Cylinder 3 exhaust is .08 mm Pad is Y275. Intake is .04 and the pad is Y295. Cylinder 4 exhaust .08 mm Pad is Y275. Intake .04 mm and the pad is Y290. If I measured the clearances right I am way off. Don't understand how I can have such good compression but the bike won't run. Do you live in California? If so I hope you're ok.

[@mrmaxstorey]

Nah we live in DC now but thanks. If your clearances are off its time to adjust those shims, but that might not be the cause of your bike not running

[@mrmaxstorey]

Thats what they are here for

[@mrmaxstorey]

Yeah but that would obviously put the bike out of time, you would have to re-time the bike

[@frankbergmanII]

19mm aka crescent wrench

[@mrmaxstorey]

lol thats the truth

[@mrmaxstorey]

try bikebandit

[@mrmaxstorey]

Bitchin

[@altlandf]

About a month ago I did. All valves are in specs. The carbs were cleaned and new float needles where installed. ALL jets were cleaned including the ones in fuel bowls. But still no start. Big Fitz is full of shit.

[@CountvonCount33]

+altlandf WTF is Big Fitz?

[@wobu5361]

Zig Zag he's a well known member of xjbikes.com. He is very knowledgeable but he hasn't been around in s while

[@altlandf]

I ordered the shims that I needed and installed them. I cleaned the carbs because there was a white paste in 1 and 2. When done ALL the slides passed the clunk test. All the jets were cleaned once again including the ones I the float bowls. Still it won't start. I have all the elements required for a engine to run but it won't start. I have 150 145 145 145. I have spark and fuel but the piece of junk won't start. I have never owned a bigger piece of junk like this bike is.

[@mrmaxstorey]

OK well thats good compression. Did you test for spark at the spark plug itself? Sometimes people test for spark at the boot, and incorrectly assume that the bike is sparking even tho the spark plugs are fouled.

[@altlandf]

I removed the two plugs one at a time to verify spark and both plugs had spark that I had checked. Another thing the plugs are brand new. The plugs have less than 5 miles on them.

[@altlandf]

Around 10:30 pm I checked for spark and had brilliant blue spark. I have about a gallon of ethanol free gas in the tank. Still no start. There's fuel in all the bowls so why doesn't the motor not pull the air fuel mixture into it as you describe in your video's? Makes no sense whats so ever.

[@mrmaxstorey]

altlandf After cranking the motor over trying to get the bike to start, do the spark plugs get wet?

[@altlandf]

No they don't. When I rebuilt the carbs I made sure the jets in the fuel bowl were clear and the fuel bowl screws can be turned. When I opened the screws on each of bowls fuel came out. So why won't this piece of junk start? Why will it not pull the air and fuel into the engine. It should do something. My Honda CM 250 Custom had a lean running condition. It wouldn't idle and it overheated. Went to a different gas station and it fixed the problem. Makes no sense what so ever. These bikes defy all logic.

[@TwinTweaking]

haha! first!

[@roynorb]

Camera.. With.. Autofocus.. Please.. Buy..