When to adjust the valves on a track bike?

Discussion in 'Performance & Technical' started by GPC, Jul 19, 2010.

  1. GPC

    GPC n00b

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'd like to get a feel for how long people wait to adjust the valves on track / race bikes. On the street it's probably fine to wait until 15k miles, but what about a track only bike? Any recommendations for how many track miles before check/adjust of the valves? I currently have 4k track miles on my ZX6R.
     
    #1 GPC, Jul 19, 2010
  2. Jimbo

    Jimbo n00b

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2008
    Messages:
    1,832
    Likes Received:
    0
    No clue as to proper time. I have been on the track three years straight and I checked mine at twelve thousand which was also the end of second full track season
     
    #2 Jimbo, Jul 19, 2010
  3. Craig.Frantz

    Craig.Frantz Rides with no training wheels

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2008
    Messages:
    661
    Likes Received:
    0
    My 03 zx6r has 11,000 miles on it, 5000 street and 6000 track and they have not been touched. I plan on checking them this winter.
     
    #3 Craig.Frantz, Jul 19, 2010
  4. IL8APEX

    IL8APEX STT Northern *****er
    STT Staff

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2007
    Messages:
    1,056
    Likes Received:
    10
    Craig had also spent every one if those miles on the same set of tires, so take that for what it's worth!

    I would recommend once per season, but I'm a 'do as I say, not as I do' kind of guy as I just checked mine at 12,000 miles.

    Remember, it's a CHECK. You can never CHECK anything too often.

    -Tom
     
    #4 IL8APEX, Jul 19, 2010
  5. Craig.Frantz

    Craig.Frantz Rides with no training wheels

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2008
    Messages:
    661
    Likes Received:
    0
    No Tom it was 2 sets. Oh btw I'm up to 17 days now.
     
    #5 Craig.Frantz, Jul 19, 2010
  6. GPC

    GPC n00b

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2007
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Thanks for the quick feedback guys.

    Sounds like I'm being a bit on the conservative side, but hey, better safe than sorry when it comes to engine top-end self destruction.

    My 04 ZX6R valve train is a lot quieter than any other I've heard (seems like the ZX6R's are a little noisy), maybe because it got broken in on the track. I do notice some valve train or cam chain (not sure which) noise when the engine is really hot after city riding with lots of stop and go. That's what has me thinking about checking.

    Tom, I agree, better to check. Best case, they're all within spec and I don't have to do the more difficult part, pulling cams and changing shims.

    Thanks,
    Greg
     
    #6 GPC, Jul 19, 2010
  7. Nafterclifen

    Nafterclifen n00b

    Joined:
    May 12, 2009
    Messages:
    77
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have an 04 GSXR 600 and rode it on the street for 20k until I had the valves checked. Guess what, they were all still within spec. I've ridden 12+ track days since and everything is still running great. I haven't bothered to check them and probably won't.
     
    #7 Nafterclifen, Jul 19, 2010
  8. Chad.Eiring

    Chad.Eiring n00b

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2007
    Messages:
    74
    Likes Received:
    0
    I hate to be a smart ass, but you adjust them after you have checked them and they are out of spec :)

    My SV650 is easy to do, Rear valve cover is right under the airbox and tank, and you only have to get the radiator out of the way to get the front off... I check them at least once a season.

    For reference, my service manual says 15k miles or 24 months when using the SV like a reasonable person.

    Chad
     
    #8 Chad.Eiring, Jul 20, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page