When did you REALLY have your first valve adjustment done 05-06?

[crazyirv]

My 05  is closing in fast on 15000 miles but I am too broke to have this service done for a while. Bike is running great. Just wondering how many people postponed the valve adjustment, how the bike ran, and when they finally did it. Thanks in advance.

[canadianshark74]

I have 31,000 kms on my zed.   I am planning to have the valves checked before 40,000kms.

[crazyirv]

so that's about 19000 miles. thanks-apparently you're well past the recommended service schedule. No signs of any problems? Anyone else??

[billyritchie]

I'm only at 12000 miles, but will defo stick it in at the 15K mark

[monkeyhanger]

mine was on 13000 miles while having a service at  mates garage said a few shims needed doing aroung that mark so had it done better safe than sorry

[scsi]

I am just starting my first valve adjustment... at 23,000mi 

[pitbull76]

I did my first adjustment at 18K, and quite a few valves were tight and required adjustment.  I wouldn't put it off too long.

[scsi]

Just completed mine... It was actually VERY straightforward. I don't know why I was so hesitant to do it. I followed this document, with some help of the Kawi shop manual:
http://www.squidbusters.com/forums/Thread-Z750S-Z750-Valve-Clearance-Check-valve-lash

I found that all of my exhaust and all but two of my intake valves were below spec. The other two were right at spec, so I adjusted them all.

Yesterday was my test ride... I first noticed that the bike seems to start up much quicker. Before, it'd crank for a second or two, but now every time its just ON. Related? I don't know...

[canadianshark74]

That write up is great.   I might just have to check my valves this spring.

thanks for the link

[qmctech]

The problem with not doing valve adjustment are they can get too loose or too tight.
 
Too loose they get noisey and lack abit of power because cam duration is less with excessive clearance and with start to wear cam and follower because they are not using proper contact points as designed.
 
Too tight and the valves don't close completely and start to leak, not too bad at first but valves and their seats don't like high speed hot gases leaking by and start to burn. By the time you notice mis-fire due to burnt valve/seat. It is too late.
 
So if you want to see how long you can go before you really need to check clearance and adjust if incorrect I have a spare head with less then 12'000kms on it.
 
Do your preventative maintenance when due or get out your visa card. Race engines have valves lapped every 3rd race.

[canadianshark74]

I am placing my order for a shim kit next week.  80$ for a whole shim kit.  And a weekend of working on the bike.
Doesn't sound too bad.... 

I would rather do the job in the spring before riding season starts.  Because I hate to be without my bike when the weather gets nicer.

cheers
Paul

[Deepsyx]

I had my valves checked last week. Cylinder 1, 2, 3 exhaust valves were too tight and out of Kawasaki spec. I am having them shimmed now at 16,200 miles.

~D~

[canadianshark74]

my shim kit arrived today.  we are going to do the clearance check this weekend.
should be fun.  I will let you know how it goes.  I am at 32,000 kms .

[kawzee]

I`m just past 32000 km.Interested in what kind of adjustments were needed.

[canadianshark74]

We did the valve shims on my zed last weekend @ 31900 kms.

Exhaust side was all in spec except for 1 shim.

Intake side was at the lower end of spec and all had to be adjusted.

she runs nice and smooth now.