KX250 Valve Adjustment

[@throttlekids7658]

Just did my 2020 KX250 following your video plus my years valve clearances numbers. Great job, thank you.

[@highlandcycles]

Awesome

[@danielholguin2740]

What are the 2020 valve clearance numbers?

[@PostMelon.]

Why when the clearence was very off you said that he propably will need new valves?

[@Construction_Co]

Was there a gasket or O ring in the spark plug tube under the cam cap?

[@highlandcycles]

Yes

[@klx300r8]

Need video for valves ajustement klx300r last generation please

[@RegularMotoGuy]

Have you ever seen tight exhaust valves cause the decomp to get stuck in the off position on the Kawis?

[@highlandcycles]

I haven’t seen that yet.

[@easyjbarz2243]

I have a KX 2019 250F and I think is having that problem. I have to throttle it after I kick a couple of times for it to start and after that it accelerates its self. It just wont start with a normal kick. I also have the orange warning indicator light that wont turn off once I have the bike starting. The air filter was well adjusted I don’t think air when inside those valves. What do you recommend me to do?

[@highlandcycles]

Not sure man. Sounds like you might need to take it to a shop.

[@Ibetrollingallday]

Is it necessary to replace the gaskets?

[@highlandcycles]

It’s a good idea

[@delawareadventures3612]

Would these be the same specs on an 07 kx250f or would they be different?

[@highlandcycles]

Should be close

[@lukewilliams7709]

Best vid on shimming out there thanks

[@highlandcycles]

Thank you!

[@klx300r8]

Is it the same job for klx300r 2020-21-22-23 ????

[@highlandcycles]

Not exactly but close

[@NorthWestMotos]

Do you reuse valve cover gaskets as well as the bolt washers? I'm about the tear the valve cover off my KLX and not sure if I should replace the gaskets or not. Manual says yes but I think I can get at least one valve check out of it? Thoughts? Thanks for answering strangers questions on the interwebs.

[@highlandcycles]

I usually re use them once

[@NorthWestMotos]

@@highlandcycles Appreciate it my dude. Gonna tear into it this weekend. Here's to hoping my air filter maintenance has been up to par haha

[@SoCalMisfit712]

Are these the same as the new 2024 250fvalves?

[@highlandcycles]

Not sure.

[@danieldevries4828]

Is there math to determine the shim to install my 22 kx is a little tight a 3 thousandths on the intakes how do I determine what shims to get

[@nicholashodak7395]

I just adjusted the valves on my 2022 kx 250x following your video. The bike starts and idles good, I haven’t taken it for a ride yet but the orange light blinks once and only once when I shut the bike off. Did I mess something up? Thanks for putting this video up by the way.

[@highlandcycles]

Not sure.

[@christianlafaver2691]

is this the same for a 2022 klx 230?

[@highlandcycles]

Close

[@christianlafaver2691]

@@highlandcycles ok good to know I appreciate it thank you

[@ryanepperson1485]

How many cam chain pins in-between dots for the 2020 kx250f?

[@wesv4560]

I just did my valves on my 2020 Kx250 and they seem extra noisy but the bike runs ok. Is there anything I should check?

[@highlandcycles]

Maybe check them again and make sure they are good. I have seen people adjust them when there is a little pressure from the cam so it ends up being too much

[@jacobsherry941]

If you can hear valves then you still have valves. It's just a kawasaki thing

[@greengrind5089]

Thanks for the video, and just a quick question… do we shoot for the middle of the spec? For example, if my exhaust spec is .14-.18mm, should I be aiming for .16? This is one thing I haven’t heard mentioned yet, and though I figure “in spec is in spec”, it might be best to go for dead center

[@highlandcycles]

That is a great question. Real hot rod motor builders will usually shoot for the tight end because you get more lift and therefore more air/fuel in and more power. I like on the loose side because it takes longer to tighten up and I can’t possibly tell the difference in power.

[@greengrind5089]

@@highlandcycles Thanks for the response! I feel a bit silly now as I tightened the clearance of one on the loose end. Oh well though, looks like I’ll get some more practice in a bit sooner!

[@endurox1481]

Agree! A loose valve is a happy valve. @@highlandcycles

[@fitch8363]

@@endurox1481 Within limits. The cam curve is designed to take up the slack, make contact, then accelerate the valve toward open. with too much clearance the acceleration part of the cam is reached first because the cam couldn't make contact across the too large clearance. When that happens the cam slaps the valve lifter to first move the cam instead of making contact then accelerating it. The max valve lash is set at the factory with that in mind. The minimum designed lash is designed to guarantee some gap given differential thermal expansion among the components. Neither direction out of spec is good.

[@endurox1481]

@@fitch8363 I completely agree. When I say loose is happy, I mean you don't need worry about a valve hanging open and causing severe damage to the piston, cylinder, etc.

[@chasewebb3402]

what should the clearances be?

[@highlandcycles]

.004-.006” intake and .006-.008” exhaust

[@Алек-э7ж]

Почему такие маленькие, рекомендации в мануале больше?

[@chasewebb3402]

where did you get your shims

[@highlandcycles]

I am a shop. We stock them

[@husaislander4838]

So much easier owning a 2 stroke

[@troydowler3581]

better smells too

[@benselby6171]

Agreed

[@highlandcycles]

Amen

[@mason_moczy6450]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@backyardtrailbuilders]

Then someone trade me one

[@ryanepperson1485]

Man I've been looking for a video showing the 2020 kx250 because they changed from buckets to rockers and I can't find a manual anywhere online for valve specs or timing since my cams only have 1 dot instead of 2. If anyone has the specs or manual they can send me pics of I'd really appreciate it!!

[@lucijanpeharec5973]

How often should valves be adjusted?

[@highlandcycles]

Every 40 to 50 hrs

[@PABLOIZTAKEN]

The manual states 0.14 mm - 0.16 mm ex .08 - .12 mm in 2022 kx250

[@sebasteinalbee3409]

0.14-0.18 ex

[@2slowcoach]

21 2 fatty owner from Australia thx for your veedoo

[@highlandcycles]

Glad to help

[@maristrellyap5148]

2017 valve clearance

[@highlandcycles]

Should be the same

[@gameingfox9238]

So how much did all that cost to get that done my bike's need the same thing

[@bikersoncall]

They can't make adjustable valves, still? lol

[@greengrind5089]

Funny thing is, they do…. On Chinese bikes lol.. I started with an Apollo 250 and adjusted the valves with no shims or buckets. Figured my kx would be a breeze but was unprepared and find myself watching this video lol

[@bikersoncall]

@@greengrind5089 I hear ya, yeah, when I say 'they' I mean , you know they, those people out there lol,, I refer to the big manufacturers of the performance bikes. I have a YX 140cc motor, it's like the Lifan, has adjustable valves. I like the fact that it's air cooled too, like my Harely, sure they both can run a bit hot, but I don't care for boiling anti freeze on my legs either. lol ---- I'll take a shot at your spec question here, so I don't hinder a response from the CP, in your actual OP, looks like he responds to people fairly quickly. ''Spec 14-18 mm , should I shoot for middle; 16? I always go somewhere in the middle on specs. As you probably know; Tolerance , means or within a specific parameter, sometimes a mfgr or designer will just state; + - If close tolerance isn't important. If you set clearance at 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, you are technically within spec, that's kind of what tolerances are all about. I suppose temps, air pressure, humidity all play a part in effecting typical tolerance figures and settings --. Part of the following is a guess: If you are doing a certain type of riding; as in mx vs enduro, and at a certain location, it might be desirable to set valves etc, slightly tighter or looser, whereby you could go higher within the spec range or lower, and remain in 'spec' , according to the mfgr, and improve performance for the location and conditions, slightly.

[@greengrind5089]

@@bikersoncall Thanks man, I appreciate the response. And I just finished it up a bit ago and put it in the middle so glad to hear it’s the right choice. I do mainly desert trail riding so I’m sure the mid spec will work out fine, I’ll take it for a ride later but starts up and idles good. Thanks again.

[@bikersoncall]

@@greengrind5089 You bet, glad it was of some use. I desert ride too, most of what I ride is river-bed, gets very silty/sandy at times. Have fun out there! I have my bike torn down, no spark, may have solved it though seems the stator is the issue; stator, coil, cdi, on the way.

[@greengrind5089]

@@bikersoncall Hope that sorts it so you can get back on two wheels again!