valve clearance: what is it now ? 0.03-0.08 or 0.07-0.12 ???

[gert du prez]

see picture of service manual of the GS1100, found on Basscliff's site...

confusing information, let me tell you...

can someone please finally set things straight ?

[KC1908]

Metric and imperial

[gert du prez]

I understand the difference between mm and inches,
but not the difference of a Clymer (saying valve clearance between 0.03 and 0.08 mm) and a service manual (saying between 0.07 and 0.12 mm)

[KC1908]

Always used the imperial settings in the service manual. I don't use Clymer manuals. I have found them to be less then helpful in the past.

[Steve]

The clearances shown are for the 16-valve engines.

Yours is an 8-valve, so it remains at .03-.08 mm.

.

[Allie]

Ah but really they're both 'right' in a way. Ideal is probably .6-.8 mm, where .3 is really pushing it, and .12 is loose on the loose end but works fine. I was told many times that if it's below .6 just go to the next size up and let it be loose for a while. Loose is fine, it's just noisier, but tight is bad bad bad.

[Steve]

Ah but really they're both 'right' in a way. Ideal is probably .6-.8 mm, where .3 is really pushing it, and .12 is loose on the loose end but works fine. I was told many times that if it's below .6 just go to the next size up and let it be loose for a while. Loose is fine, it's just noisier, but tight is bad bad bad.

WATCH YOUR NUMBERS, Allie.

Make sure you have a ZERO to the right of the decimal point. The specified clearance is .03 mm to .08 mm.

Gert's numbers are correct, but not for the model bike he is working on.

.

[Allie]

WATCH YOUR NUMBERS, Allie.

Make sure you have a ZERO to the right of the decimal point. The specified clearance is .03 mm to .08 mm.

Gert's numbers are correct, but not for the model bike he is working on.

.

Hey they're just zeros, what do they amount to? I understand about the models, but my point is correct isn't it?

[Nessism]

I shoot for .04 - .08. If you have a bunch of shims like me, it's pretty easy to find some in between sizes to get the clearance just right. Loose is better than tight, but within spec is better yet.