KTM 390 Adventure Valve Adjustment (Motor in Bike)

[@Roadghost88]

Great vid. And in three easy steps too. 1) Disassemble bike. 2) Insert valve shims. 3) Reassemble bike.

[@advmatt]

Great to see someone tackled this job. I have been putting it off until I have more time. Dealership in California only charged me $200 for the first check, looks like it was worth it.

[@geeksonbikes]

I love your channel. Your videos have helped me out many times! Yeah they charge about $600 in florida 🙄 If it was $200 I would happily pay that lol.

[@asterix908]

Wow, you're like my distant twin .... Fellow rider here with this same combo in my garage an NC and a Husky 401. Also have the Tusk spoons :-) Getting ready to do the valves on the 401 this winter.

[@toddhjermstad6193]

This was awesome you are my inspiration PJ! Is the arrow on your drawing pretty much the headlight / front of bike? intake valves are near seat but exhaust valves are forward towards front wheel?

[@fredmalone798]

Thanks for tackling this job on video & putting size of shims needed in comments. Where did you find the service info ? Like valve clearance spec, and torque setting for putting it all back together ? BTW - I have a 21 NC750x and think the valves are old school tappet adjustable. No shims required, just wrench, screwdriver & feeler gage.

[@holgerczubka5453]

I did the valve adjustement two days ago and it was a horrible job. There is so less space and to put the camshfts in after the work is also tricky - the right mark at the exhaust camshaft is not visible because of the frame. It took me three attempts to get the right timing.

[@j.b.8767]

Man, oh man, what an ordeal... I have been preparing to sell my awesome 2004 BMW R1150RS so I could buy a KTM 390 Adventure, but now that I have seen this video, it has made me rethink my decision! My RS is a dream to adjust the valves on: it's all within easy reach, with ZERO drama to get to, and make happen, but this bike (though I do love it), was clearly not designed with the "shade tree" mechanic in mind... I don't drink, but these images have me heading towards a Deschutes Brewery IPA for relief....and I'll also have to go on a long ride on my RS now, too, just to reduce my stress level.... Any excuse to ride her, that's all I need, I suppose: the sun is shining; it's raining; I'm not sure what the weather is going to do? What's the answer? Go for a ride, of course! Thanks for the video, brother, and oh yea, my new found drinking problem, too. 🤣

[@Azfrontier]

That first start after doing engine work is always so stressful! lol

[@kaveag]

Thank you for the video, I just finished my valve adjustment on 390ADV. I got pretty same clearances as you: Intake 0.09 0.07 and exhaust 0.13 0.13, so all four are out of specs. I guess they don't check anything at the factory, moreover, motor is the same on Duke, but clearances are tighter, I guess they put same shims for Duke and Adv.

[@sandwich.entity3810]

They updated the clearances to be slightly larger on all the newer 390 engines, hence the different values on older dukes

[@sandwich.entity3810]

You can get valve cover off without removing radiator through top

[@johncaswell2648]

My Sprint ST is due for valve clearance this spring, it's not as tight getting in there as your 390 but I'm still not looking forward to it.

[@geeksonbikes]

Yeah. Valve adjustments are rarely looked forward to lol. I'm curious to see what the job will be like on the NC750X. I'm hoping it's better than mine 🤪 I wish a no adjustment needed clearance check!

[@johncaswell2648]

@@geeksonbikes does the NC need valve clearance? I think I read somewhere that it's based on the Honda Fit engine and has hydraulic lifters with no clearance check or adjustment needed. For what it's worth, the large triumph triples rarely go out of spec on the valves, but still need to be checked.

[@johncaswell2648]

And that's why we verify things before we believe them. Looks like wherever I read that, it was wrong and the NC does need valve clearance check and adjustments. Good to know since a friend of mine is considering one.

[@geeksonbikes]

Yeah I believe it's at 16,000 miles. My ktm is every other oil change 🙄 thats 9000 miles. I'm looking forward to getting my own Honda one day lol.

[@dennismacwilliams196]

Did you think all the work on this bike was worth it ? Or should you have had the dealer do it ? Also do you have a cost of the items that you bought total, And what a dealer would have charge you ?

[@geeksonbikes]

So sorry it took me a while to respond. In parts I bought a shim kit for $65 USD so I would have any shim I needed immediately available. The only special tool you need is the feeler gauge, which is less than $20 usd. The dealer wanted $600 USD to do the job at that price I think it was very worthwhile to do it myself. I've heard dealers in other states charge less. Around $250 usd but I would still do it myself because I know it was done right. But it is a pain int the butt to do.

[@bve7397]

Was thinking the same thing, im a handy guy but if its such a tedious process I might asswell get it done by a dealer. They can also turn on the engine light and since its only onea everu 15k kms

[@danieledwards695]

Which shim kit did you purchase?

[@geeksonbikes]

I bought the Pro X Shim kit from Rocky mountain atv. 10mm 1.85 to 3.20mm

[@windridermaui]

When it's all said and done how much time would you say you spent doing the valve job for your KTM 390 Adventure?

[@geeksonbikes]

Taking your time and being methodical 4 hours.

[@CTR_Dan]

Good video

[@moturcu4226]

The only downside to this motorcycle is the valve adjustment. What would happen if I don't do the valve adjustment?

[@geeksonbikes]

If it falls far enough out of spec the valve could hit the cylinder and you would need an engine rebuild. Definitely not recommend. Also, I was a little out of spec and I had trouble cold starting. After the adjustment cold starts were perfect.

[@moturcu4226]

@@geeksonbikes Thanks mate.

[@rvator7291]

The valves get tighter because they are working their way into cylinder head. The danger is burning valves, not them hitting anything. Performance would slowly deteriorate. Many engines level off after one or two adjustments.

[@terryomara9403]

How many miles for valve check

[@geeksonbikes]

9000 miles

[@tonypalermo5796]

I'm changing my oil every 1000 miles on the 390. Waiting 3000 is a bad move.

[@geeksonbikes]

Yikes. At 1000 mile intervals, I would be changing my oil at least once a month, if not every 3 weeks. How often are you changing yours?

[@procomphys99]

on my ducati hypermotard, valve clearance is the culprit of frequent stalling, i wonder ktm behaves the same way🤦‍♂️

[@geeksonbikes]

I have read that many people have had stalling and that a valve adjustment corrected it. My bike had trouble starting and the adjustment fixed that. 🤩

[@tonypalermo5796]

KTM a breeze to work on compared to over engineering of a Ducati.