Valves - to check or not to check

[12cb96vfr_imp]

welp I decided to jump in and tackle my valve check today.......and I'm VERY glad I did. Sorry for the long post haha.

I'm just shy of 8k miles, she runs great, but I noticed i'm getting poor gas mileage (like 37-40mpg,and honestly I don't ride it that hard). Even when I'm just cruising all highway, I never get better than 40mpg. I do some googling an it says that could be a symptom of tight valves.

I decide to take a look at the plugs first, they are all a gorgeous tan color - so far . I put the feeler gauge on my #1 intake - it's PERFECT. I'm even happier, I say to myself "man this is going to be CAKE I'll be riding in an hour". hahahhahahhaha then the fun part starts, oh boy..........

I check #3 per the manual.....tight, really tight. I check the next one, even worse. So tight I figure I'll try a thinner gauge just to see if maybe i'm crazy, no go. These things are so tight now I'm starting to second guess myself. I backtrack and start the whole process over, man i don't think there is any room at all between the cam and the bucket. Gulp.

After about 2 hours of messing around I finally decide to throw in the towel. At this point I'm just hoping the valves being that tight didn't hurt anything. I have an appointment Tuesday morning at the shop for them to check it out and get it fixed up.

Luckily I bought a 5 year warranty, so if anything is bad they will fix it (the shop manager is one of my best friends so I have no worries about having to fight over the warranty).

I'm just really, really, REALLY unhappy that my bike is in about 6 pieces, it's going to be a perfect 85 degrees for the next two days, and I just sold my VFR 2 weeks ago.


Moral(s) of the story - Do your maintenance, 9 out of 10 may never have to have their valves adjusted, but if you own that 10th bike you'll be sorry if you skip it!

and - more importantly -

DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER SELL YOUR 2ND BIKE!!!!!

Guess I'll just spend my long weekend shooting guns....could be worse I suppose

[redbirds_imp]

Sorry about missing some good riding weather but you mention getting poor gas mileage. Could this be the cause of poor mileage some forum members are reporting?

[12cb96vfr_imp]

not sure buddy, I don't wanna correlate that until i see 1) what the shop says and 2) how it rides after I get it back.

I'm not super mechanical -I mean I've checked valves before on my other bikes without any issues- but the mechanic could very well call me Tuesday & tell me I'm stupid and i was doing something wrong haha, lord knows it wont be the first time.

But I'll follow up for sure!

and honestly I just saw poor gas mileage comment on another forum, so who knows if that's actually legit

[Randy B]

If the valves were that tight then they weren't closing all the way and that for sure would effect mileage.

[jeffskar_imp]

Please tell me these bikes have stainless steel valves instead of titanium like the CRF's have, that most people swap to stainless because of always having to re-shim if they actually ride a lot.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Please tell me these bikes have stainless steel valves instead of titanium like the CRF's have, that most people swap to stainless because of always having to re-shim if they actually ride a lot.

I don't know the composition of the valves but evidence from forum experience would indicate that a considerable amount of riding is possible without valve clearance adjustment being required. A valve adjustment was done on my bike at 12000kms. Since then it has accumulated 57000kms without a further adjustment
being required.

In answer to your thread title: Yes, check the valve clearances in accordance with the service schedule, or if the engine exhibits any symptoms that may indicate maladjusted valve clearances. I believe you say as much in your "Morals of the story".

Cheers, and may all our valves stay in adjustment.

[silverbub_imp]

"DON'T EVER, EVER, EVER SELL YOUR 2ND BIKE!!!!! Smile"

Especially,...if it is a '96 VFR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I thought your last statement needed a little editing...

[12cb96vfr_imp]

hahahaha it sure was a 96 LOL

[silverbub_imp]

hahahaha it sure was a 96 LOL

She sure is "PURTY"!!...& I'm sure she sure could SING with that pipe!......thanks for the picture!... Your a tougher man than me...I could not have let her go!... Hope she went to a good home!

[JustPassinThru_imp]

I have left maintenence up to the dealer, who's rural and straightforward; and he tells me it's not due until 12,000 miles.

I'm getting excellent gas mileage and performance out of my ride. I agree - it would be fine to check valve clearances; but with no shop, peeling the tank off, a NEW bike...I'm not there.

I will take my chances.