KLR riders out there

[Woodman]

In a very high revving modern 4 stroke ( 250 - 450 Mx engines ) this is also very dependant on the material the valve is manufactured from with the preference by some manufacturers to use titainium.
This is due to the lower weight of the valve requiring a valve spring with less tension therefore requiring less horsepower to open .Titainium valves do wear faster in these applications which is why many aftermarket parts companies offer replacemant valve kits with valves made from stainless steel


From a Suzuki rider lurking in this thread

Also lighter valves reduce float. Think we mentioned this prior? When you consider the abuse they get its amazing they last as long as they do. A bit like klr riders really.

[Padmei]

Reading the clymer manual now about valve setting etc. Once it starts talking about procedures my eyes start glazing over & I head for the afghans. That's why I need you guys to drip feed info to me

[Woodman]

Padmei I took some pics to get you visually prepared.
Wish I knew how to post them pics that get bigger with the whirly thing when you click on it.

[marks]

Once it starts talking about procedures my eyes start glazing over & I head for the afghans.

I'll call the SPCA

[JATZ]

You could try http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/Valve_Shim_Check_FAQ.htm

I used it when doing the shims on the F650's for the first time.Not sure what your setup looks like but the measuring section should be the same

[Howie]

Reading the clymer manual now about valve setting etc. Once it starts talking about procedures my eyes start glazing over & I head for the afghans. That's why I need you guys to drip feed info to me

This is a fairly good write up of the procedure for pre 08 KLR's not sure how different it is on the new shape ones. http://www.klr650.marknet.us/valves.html

[warewolf]

If you need a hand I am happy to help and there is some good step by step info online.

Google "how to set KLR650 valve clearance" and see how many step-by-step documents pop up... that's how I found you have the shim arrangement.

Funny tho - we take our bikes apart cos we want to, not because we have to

You wanted your footpeg to fall off?

How come they tighten as opposed to loosen. The design obviously defies most other parts that loosen over time.

Parts loosen because they wear. The valves effectively loosen wrt the piston, if that helps your grey matter. Part of the reason there is a clearance at the top of the valve is to create space for the parts at the bottom of the valve to wear in to. Part of it is to allow space for heat expansion (hence doing them cold, so that factor is neutralised/constant).

I have old valves in the shed you can have a look at to see the wear. I also have an old crankshaft, conrods, pistons, camshafts...

As the bike is still under warantee I don't really want to waltz into the kawa shop & ask for shims as they may not like anyone opening the top.

So go to a different shop, or tell them it's for a different bike.

Technically/legally - and there are threads here about this - anyone can work on your bike, including yourself, and that in itself does not void the warranty despite any written or verbal assurances to the contrary from a dealer/manufacturer. A service log & receipts is good enough proof that the work has been done, dealer stamp not required. Shall we talk about this on Thurs?

[pete376403]

This is a fairly good write up of the procedure for pre 08 KLR's not sure how different it is on the new shape ones. http://www.klr650.marknet.us/valves.html

Not sure if its all '08s or just mine, but - there is a tube that bleeds fresh air into the exhaust port (to help clean up emissions). Tube is fastened to the cam cover, and the boss that the fastener screws into is placed exactly right to hit the frame and prevent lifting the cover up far enough to clear the cam sprockets.
A few minutes with the Dremel (note; because I am a cheap-ass KLRista, the $39.95 SuperCheap equivalent) removed enough of the boss to allow cover removal.

I had the Suzuki tools that allow pushing down the buckets without removing the cams (hooked under the cams and pushed the edge of the bucket down enough to lift the shim out with a magnet or tweezers, made for the old two valve GS series 4 cylinder motors). I should ask for them back and see if they work on the KLR.

[Woodman]

ran my klr with the rocker cover off the other day cos i like to watch, and besides getting oil all over me fairing the thing that was really apparent was how quiet the engine was. The cover must resonate all the mechanical noises something shocking.

[Woodman]

Went to Filco this arvo and got a couple of .002' thinner shims, whacked em in and shes all go, cept had to wait to get enough charge in the battery b4 she started.

The numbers on the back of the shims relate to the thickness in mm.e.g. Mine had 265's and to get .05mm (.002" in proper language) thinner I got
260's.
The 265 is 2.65 mm total thickness and so on.

[warewolf]

there is a tube that bleeds fresh air into the exhaust port (to help clean up emissions).

It also helps to disguise the emissions... adding fresh air dilutes the bad stuff so the bike gets a better tailpipe measurement without doing diddly-squat for the environment.

It is conceivable that the weight and complexity of the system could measurably increase fuel consumption and negate any gains from helping to burn off the noxious stuff.

Bureaucracy gone mad...

[marks]

Not sure if its all '08s or just mine, but - there is a tube that bleeds fresh air into the exhaust port (to help clean up emissions). Tube is fastened to the cam cover, and the boss that the fastener screws into is placed exactly right to hit the frame and prevent lifting the cover up far enough to clear the cam sprockets.
A few minutes with the Dremel (note; because I am a cheap-ass KLRista, the $39.95 SuperCheap equivalent) removed enough of the boss to allow cover removal.

I thought it was just one of the standard things that you 'just remove' when you get a klr?

[Woodman]

I thought it was just one of the standard things that you 'just remove' when you get a klr?

Mine (2005) does not have it, but the rockercover is still a bit fiddly to remove.

[pete376403]

I thought it was just one of the standard things that you 'just remove' when you get a klr?

Well you can, but then you have to plug the hole properly (so the plug doesn't blow out on the way to the SCAR...)

[marks]

Well you can, but then you have to plug the hole properly (so the plug doesn't blow out on the way to the SCAR...)

some things I'd rather not be reminded of