Valve clearances.

[Kiwifruit]

Your thoughts please...
My bike has now done close on 110k. During that time I have only ever changed oil and filter every 5k and air filter when I think it needs it. The internals of the engine have been thriving on neglect. My question is this. How often should you check the valve clearances, do I run the risk of doing damage if I put another 10k on it. Got a trip to the South Island coming up and  running out of time to get it done. Bike runs sweet. Do these engines have a habit of closing up their valve clearances. I suspect not as I've not heard it mentioned. Your views please.

[GSXKING]

Is it making it any noise Col ?
If not I wouldn't bother.
Mines done 170,000 kms + and mechanic says he won't bother checking as the tolerances at manufacturing were perfect.

[KiwiCol]

Agree, unless there's an issue I wouldn't bother.  @Hooli has done huge mileage & (from memory) his have never needed adjustment.

[Tony Nitrous]

Past experience has repeatedly shown me that big 16v Suzuki's can go out, but rarely do. I have a few here that have had a hard life and never needed adjustment.

Right or wrong I've got a bit slack and stretched out checking them. No dramas so far.

Don't trust just a noisey motor as a sign, a quiet motor can be out and bring other problems.

If I thought the bike was running fine, starting OK, not down on power (as well as not being noisey) it wouldn't be high on my to do list.

[grog]

Col, just ride on. Never seen a burnt valve issue on 14 discussion. Noisy is just noisy, annoying but doesnt damage. Most dohc clearances always go loose, that is noisy.Going tighter is pretty much old skool, bad seats, bad valve metal.Do the trip, worry more about the cost of your beers😎

[Andre]

I found a couple clearances slightly out of tolerance on a fairly low km engine. Were on the high side though (not much danger there). Clearances must have been done by a Jap on a Monday with a Saki hangover from the weekend or a mechanic apprentice practiced valve adjustment on the 24k inspection (making some € for his employer). Chances are, given the numerous reports on valve clearances for the 14, that your's are fine. Only one way to know  for sure. Pretty straight forward job imo (unless you drop something - like one of the "pins" into the engine).

I doubt that another 10k (or more) will make a difference. Offically valves should be checked every 24k to support your mechanics income.

[grog]

Double post sorry. Mid 80s i built a bevel Ducati motor. Cost lots, premium parts. Worked out perfect. Valve clearance, opening/ closing was recod every 5 th ks. Dealers even then charged $500 plus, maybe $1200 now. I found an easy way to check.In 80 th ks they never varied, thats a huge dealer rip off, superb motor just like 14 is👍

[Hooli]

They're a doddle to check, if you can use a feeler gauge you can manage it. Having said that mine have never changed from 15k miles when I first checked them & it's done slightly more than that now, not always ridden slow either. I check them occasionally for piece of mind, as a quiet tight valve is much more dangerous for the engine than loose rattly ones.

I've found the worst bit is the valve cover bolts, the cam journals they go into appear to be made of cheese & I've stripped the thread in 5 of them over the years. It's M7 so not a common size either, M7x1.0 I think. But at least being soft it's easy to put a thread insert in. Daft thing is every one has gone while winding the bolt in by hand before putting a spanner on it.

[Kiwifruit]

Thanks for your input guys. Think I'll put that job on the to do list for when we get back.
We did another 260kms today and she runs nice, so another thank you motorcycle pat on the tank day.