Triumphrat

ArmyBonnie · 05-19-2008

Been a while since I've last posted...been away for a while.

Anyway...2004 790cc Bonnie w/13,000 miles - Just checked the valves.

Intake: .20, .23, .23, .23 (spec is .15-.20)
Exhaust: .23, .25, .28, .25 (spec is .25-30)

Suprised that the intake ones were so out of spec on the high side??? In my experience, the space shrinks, not gets larger?

Anyway, I've always gone by the motto "slappy valves are happy valves" but I'm concerned that it's a little too much on the intake side.

How bad is this for a bike with 13K miles? And would a dealer even have enough of the different size shims on hand to even put it back into spec? I'm worried about the dealer just measuring it and saying it's good enough. I'm also thinking about asking the dealer for the old shims so that I can prove that he did the work.

Thoughts???

Thanks in advance,
Frank

u wish u could ride · 05-19-2008

thats not bad at all ! maybe button it up for a few more miles ?only one tight exhaust .your in fine shape.

CAPTDON · 05-19-2008

Being that close- I think I would let it be for a while? You are close enuff as not to not to worry for a while? Buds BA - you could hear a notable tac-tac- tac! If it sounds ok, then I would give her some more time? JMOP. Some say that the valves get tighter- not looser? I havent figured that one out yet. When things wear- they loosen up! Shims, cams, etc wear thus giving more tolerence & gap. I will check mine if they are noisy @ 12000 mi. If they are close- I will let them be. Figure when they heat up- they close the gap, thus giving a little more time? The BA had a noticable Tic on the two exhaust valves on the left bank. Never got quieter when hot. Thats a sign - "Its time"! Till then - ride on &enjoy!!
Maybe some day someone will tell me HOW valve clearances get tighter after wear??
Had MANY OHC vehicles (bikes incl) & NEVER had valves get tighter w/ wear? That incl Jags w/ shims etc!! Never had to remove shims- always had to add! Sounds OK to me? For now?

Husk01 · 05-19-2008

Don,
If the valve seats wear, it gets tighter. If the cam wears, then it gets looser.
Steve

Hematite · 05-19-2008

Looking at those clearances, I wonder if a dealer would even try to change them. I spoke to a local dealers mechanic and he said that it is rare that an adjustment needs to be made at 12K miles. He said that almost all of them are still in spec that he has checked.

When you feel that the adjustment is needed, whatever you do, if you do it yourself, don't make them too tight!