Adjusting Valves

[greggo2208]

Once again I find myself begging for information from the mechanical wizards on this ever so helpful website.[-o<

I'm about to try to adjust the valves on my GS750ES. Is this going to require any specialized tools or are there any helpful hints anyone can give me.. Like a how to do it hint... I always have the option to put it in the shop, but I'd like to learn about it too rather than just pay someone to take care of it for me and I figure with the harsh Texas winter coming up I'll have all of about 3 weeks that it'll be too cold to ride so that will be the perfect time to try it.. My bike seems to tick,tick tick,tick, when running and also makes a popping noise when I let off the throttle. The guy at the shop I go to said maybe a stretched exhaust valve?

Thanks for you help and input.

[UncleMike]

Once again I find myself begging for information from the mechanical wizards on this ever so helpful website.[-o<

I'm about to try to adjust the valves on my GS750ES. Is this going to require any specialized tools or are there any helpful hints anyone can give me.. Like a how to do it hint... I always have the option to put it in the shop, but I'd like to learn about it too rather than just pay someone to take care of it for me and I figure with the harsh Texas winter coming up I'll have all of about 3 weeks that it'll be too cold to ride so that will be the perfect time to try it.. My bike seems to tick,tick tick,tick, when running and also makes a popping noise when I let off the throttle. The guy at the shop I go to said maybe a stretched exhaust valve?

Thanks for you help and input.

That sounds to me like you're running a lean. What do your plugs look like?

[greggo2208]

I'll check plugs this weekend when I have a chance to tear into it. I believe I've read some of your previous reply's or posts. The plugs should
be a grayish color right?

[UncleMike]

I'll check plugs this weekend when I have a chance to tear into it. I believe I've read some of your previous reply's or posts. The plugs should
be a grayish color right?

If they are grayish you're running too lean. You want tan or brown.

[bwringer]

A stretched exhaust valve? Where did he get that?

My first hint would be to not let that guy touch your bike...

My second hint would be to get the repair manual for your bike. If more than one is available, get them all. At least, that's what I did.

http://repairmanual.com/

Therein, you will find complete and fairly clear instructions for checking valve clearances. With pictures and everything.

I find it much less confusing to use a metric feeler gauge, available at any auto parts store for cheap, but you're welcome to use one marked in inches as long as you promise to never get confused as to which units you're using.

[earlfor]

Hmmm, cant say as I've ever seen a "stretched" exhaust valve. :-)
I wouldnt go back to that place. ehehehe

E.

[QUOTE=greggo2208;542373]
The guy at the shop I go to said maybe a stretched exhaust valve?

[UncleMike]

I wasn't going to comment on that particular example of verbal diarrehea,...funny stuff though.

Of course, it could be swollen,...or maybe just strained.

[greggo2208]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll start with a manual or two and see where it goes from there. Maybe my bank account will stretch next?

[bwringer]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll start with a manual or two and see where it goes from there. Maybe my bank account will stretch next?

Yes, tortured screaming from a stretched credit card/savings account is a sure sign of a GS owner...

Let the winter spend/rebuild season BEGIN!

[UncleMike]

Yes, tortured screaming from a stretched credit card/savings account is a sure sign of a GS owner...

Let the winter spend/rebuild season BEGIN!

Wait!? WTF!?!

You mean you're not SUPPOSED to do it all over the summer and finish just as the cold weather sets in?

F*ck me!

[tconroy]

Yes, tortured screaming from a stretched credit card/savings account is a sure sign of a GS owner...

Let the winter spend/rebuild season BEGIN!

What he means is he will "stretch" the work out all winter so he can put his kid in college!!!!

[chef1366]

I stretched my valve a couple of hundred times:shock:

[txironhead]

I'm about to adjust my valves, as well. I was told by a salesperson (like he knew anything) at the local Suzuki shop (absolute dung heap of a place, I wouldn't take a bicycle there and have never returned) that to adjust the valves I would need a special tool that ran $80-120 and was only available from 'Zuki. I assumed he was full of crap and ignored him. I know that Motion Pro and others make specialty tools for specific motorcycles. Is there a special tool (yes, I'm trying to get a manual) and if so, anyone got a link to a reasonably priced one?

[UncleMike]

I'm about to adjust my valves, as well. I was told by a salesperson (like he knew anything) at the local Suzuki shop (absolute dung heap of a place, I wouldn't take a bicycle there and have never returned) that to adjust the valves I would need a special tool that ran $80-120 and was only available from 'Zuki. I assumed he was full of crap and ignored him. I know that Motion Pro and others make specialty tools for specific motorcycles. Is there a special tool (yes, I'm trying to get a manual) and if so, anyone got a link to a reasonably priced one?

Ridiculous. I've heard the tool can help, but it ain't $80-120. Try closer to $15.

Plus, I just adjusted my valves and the only special tool I needed was a feeler guage. Other than that I used a pair of needle-nosed pliers and a small wrench. Easy-peasy-japaneasy.

[Road_Clam]

I'm about to adjust my valves, as well. I was told by a salesperson (like he knew anything) at the local Suzuki shop (absolute dung heap of a place, I wouldn't take a bicycle there and have never returned) that to adjust the valves I would need a special tool that ran $80-120 and was only available from 'Zuki. I assumed he was full of crap and ignored him. I know that Motion Pro and others make specialty tools for specific motorcycles. Is there a special tool (yes, I'm trying to get a manual) and if so, anyone got a link to a reasonably priced one?

Well there is some truth to his statement. The special tool is a very small 3mm square drive socket with a handle. It does make a valve adjustment go WAY easier, but you can use a small pair of needlenose vice grips (just be EASY with the vice grips). It takes way longer, but can be done.