Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 19, 2002 04:12 AM
 Edited By: Otis on 19 Sep 2002 05:14
Has anyone here done a valve adjustment?
Has anyone here done their own valve check and adjustment on their 12? I don't trust any dealers around here anymore for such an important task so I am going to do it myself. I have heard the the check is pretty easy but actually changing shims can be a bear. Yes, I have the manual, but any tips you could share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Chris
  
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tuusinii
Pro
Posts: 1031
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posted September 19, 2002 05:04 AM
Well it has been talked quite much and using the search engine You may find some good information, but here is the short list: Do it as it is said in the manual! Well really. First couple of times I took of the radiator but then I found it isint nessecary - only one plastic shield is little hard to get of with radiator in place but it comes out. But if You take the radiator off it's good place to change the coolant - so You remember it. If You have to change the shims it little bit more work because the cams are held there with quite many bolts and all of them have to be taken out. After that just lift the cams little so You can get the shims out. I haven't completely removed the cams so far but make sure that the timing marks are in the rigth place - when putting all back together. I'd say the first time can take little time - up to 4-6 hours - but now that I'm done it few times its closer to 2 hours - and even less if shims don't need to be changed. All so it's good time to sync the TB's and clean air filter and oil - the fairings are allready off. So just do it
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted September 19, 2002 05:10 AM
I use a little magnet for the shims, that allows me to put them in and out and not drop the dang things down into the motor... Most of the time they stay in the buckets when you pull them out.
Mad Mike
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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beansbaxter
Needs a life
Posts: 5911
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posted September 19, 2002 07:40 AM
Just yesterday I took my 12 in for the 7500 mile scheduled service, which included the valve adjustment. The dealer had to wait cause the bike has to be cold to do it correctly. It took them 2 hours alone just on the valves he said. But the 12 runs the best it ever has after that service. This is the first noticeable difference I've seen on the 12 after any scheduled service.
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted September 19, 2002 07:45 AM
Edited By: TedG on 19 Sep 2002 08:46
I, like you don't trust anyone to work on my stuff. Fortunately I was a motorcycle mechanic for over 10 years and worked on Kwaks most of that time. Checking the valves on a 12 is not that difficult, you DO NOT have to tip or remove the motor. DO NOT DO THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE AT LEAST 7500 MILES!!! You do have to spend some time removing all the junk. once you remove the Ram Air tubes, Kleen air stuff, rubber and plastic covers, stick coils, throttle cables access to the valve cover is plenty generious. Remove the timing cover, follow the instructions in the book as to where to line up the crank and check the valves indicated. Use a quality feeler guage, there is a difference, I have Snap-on go-no-go or stepped feeler guages that make it very easy. If you have to replace the shims it is a bit more difficult. ZX11 shims work but they added a few in between sizes with the 12. Once you establish the clearances (write them down) you need to remove the cams. Then remove the bucket and get the shim, there is a number stamped on it that is the thickness in metric. WRITE IT DOWN. Then go to the chart and establish what new shim you will need. repeat on all valves that need it. Use the shims out of the other valves where possible . Then you need to trade or buy new shims at the dealer. And if he is an asshole he won't trade or sell his stash and make you wait to order them. Try to make arrangements with him first for a trade. Don't have heart failure when you see the cost. With the new shims replace the ones necessary, put the cams back in (make sure you time them correctly) and torque them down properly (a cheap torque wrench is a very very bad thing) Again I use the only decent torque wrench there is ...Snap-on. Spin over the motor at least 7 seconds an recheck.. If you did everything right it will be fine, if not repeat as necessary. Try to keep the adjustment near the loose side. Having been a zx11 owner I know the value of shims, and when I bought the 12 I had them include a manual and a at least 2 of every size shim, boy were they surprised when the ordered them.
Good luck.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 19, 2002 08:05 AM
Thanks fellas.
TedG, you are the man ya know? I had two Zx-11's and used to do the valves on them myself, heck I even made up a bunch of circles on a piece of paper representing each cylinder and valve and recorded what each was at on it so I wouldn't make mistakes. I still have copies of it too to use for this time. The 11 was much easier, obviously, then the 12 will be. In fact I still have about 10 shims from the 11 and was hoping to use them, if needed. I'd imagine I'm going to need them as I'm at 19000 without a check yet. My main concern with the 12 was room to work in there and of course removing the cams which was not a necessity on the 11. I am absolutely clueless when it comes to timing and all that jazz so I plan on taking my time and going step by step from the manual. Wish you lived in the Detroit area so's I could offer some beer and prezels for a hand.
Chris
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 19, 2002 08:07 AM
Do you have any tips on cam removal and the timing?
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Ninjaman12R
Needs a job
as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted September 19, 2002 08:12 AM
Start Wrenching Ya Biatch..........
You can handle it C, quit fekkin' procrastinatin' and get yer ass to work. 
____________
What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted September 19, 2002 09:09 AM
Otis, Cam timing is not too bad. Follow the instructions in the book and count the pins like they say. Take your time, be extra careful. As you tighten down the cams make sure the marks still align and you are not a tooth off. The chain is probably stretched a little so the mark wont be perfect, but nowhere near a tooth. Removal is cake, just go slow and try to keep it even, for it is one big piece and you don't really want to warp it. Be very careful of the alignment pins and don't drop them in the engine. Use rags or paper towels to plug any holes going down into the engine. I have faith in you.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted September 19, 2002 09:15 AM
More advice. Tonight (or before you start) take the manual and read the section on valve adjustment and cam R and R and read it like you would read a novel.. Don't try to remember anything just read it all. If you dont get it keep reading. When you go to do the job your brain will start to put the pieces together and you will have an idea where to look to find answers. Believe me this works.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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Otis
Needs a job
Captain Kickstand
Posts: 3028
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posted September 19, 2002 09:21 AM
Great Ted, thanks for the info. I am prolly going to delv into it this weekend. And ninjaredneck, shit the fuck up, procrastinate? Me?
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ZHooligan
Moderator
Post Whore Extraordinaire!
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posted September 19, 2002 10:31 AM
Edited By: ZHooligan on 19 Sep 2002 11:42
And rember Otis..... if al else fails, use the force.
Seriously, along with the really good advice Ted gave above my other piece of advice is something that applies to wrenching on bike and cars about 99.9% of the time. Don't try cheating. Remove the things in the way and don't waste your time trying to work around it or them. It's like the guys that insist on putting a pipe on instead of removing three bolts and moving the radiator forward out of the way! Just a basic hint!
____________
To those who do not count their life in years, but in how life
has touched them in the past and how much it can hold in the
future; -- Youth is forever.
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted September 19, 2002 10:51 AM
quote:
And rember Otis..... if al else fails, use the force.
THE force .... not just force.
Actually the saying is if all else fails use brute force and ignorance.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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