when do you know when to adjust valves

A

Alapa on Ellen Director

New member
hello, I have a question about valve adjustment. When do you know when they need adjustment. When I do a cold start it sounds like it is a little pingy but when it warms up it sounds just fine? I love the bike I am just conserned if I am going to have a winter project.:bluethum: Thanks
 
Same experience here, I believe the ping is due no hydraulic lifters on the C50T and all the parts in the valve network have not expanded to running size at normal operating temperatures yet. As long as the sound goes away after the warm up it would seem all is well or so several Suzuki mechanics have told me. Valve adjustments/clearance checks are listed in the manual at 7000 mile intervals and these mechanics tell me those intervals are way too frequent. They mention that it will be obvious "all the time" when the valves need adjustment.
 
As I type this my '07 c50 is at the shop getting its first valve adjustment. Because I bought it new last December this has been its first season of riding. Because everyone, including the dealer, said that there was no need to inspect the valves at the 600 mile break in service I decided to wait until the end of the summer. The bike now has just over 7,000 miles. The bike is with a very trustworthy independent mechanic. He will give me an honest assessment of how necessary the adjustment was. I'll report back here when I get the bike back.
 
As promised, I am now reporting back on my first valve adjustment of my '07 c50. Mileage is 7,400. The valves only needed minimum adjusting, but of course you don't know that until you go into it and look. Some adjusting was needed but it was not bad. It was agreed that I would do it again at the end of next summer, that will be a better test of how often it should be done.
 
At my first service on my 06 c50 the mechanic checked the valves and they were too tight from the factory.I always check them at the scheduled maintenance times just to be sure from now on.It is a pain just to check them,but,better safe than sorry.Enjoy your ride.
 
I have adjusted mine 3 times since I bought it in 06, Both times it was only 2-3 thousanths off which was still inside the factory spec. But I took mine to the lower end of the spec to try to keep the top end "TICK" to a minimum. All the VZ800 engines are going to have a certain amount of noise in the valve train, but you will be able to tell the difference between normal and excessive.
 
A lot of valve lash or clatter noise when you load her up trying to climb a hill (or heavy acceleration) is a pretty good indication that the valves need to be looked at.
 
Ignition timing, carby settings, fuel injection timing and duration and valve clearance imho do need to be inspected at regular intervals as per manufacturers instructions. An adjustment may not be required, But if we want these engines to operate at high speeds with full performance and reliability, then we must look after them. All engines will operate fine with the skipping of a service or going over the interval time. But if a gremlin has been in there and made an adjustment or two move then we need to have it dealt with before damage starts. I like to know that my M50 is sitting there happy and eager to take me on a 150 to 300 mile night run whenever I feel up to it.
 
The M50 was kicking the stable door and interupted my line of thought, had to take her for a quick run. Inspection? does that mean looking to see if the rim is on the ground? looking to see how big the flat spot is on the bottom? getting the tire gauge out and checking the pressure ? All three are useful practices. eg check weekly with gauge for correct pressure. check daily if flat on bottom is right check every time mounting if rim on ground. Same for the valves listen excessive clearance: clacking, watch for a drop in performance: possibility of tight valves, although remember tight valves make no noise. We all hear horror stories of things going wrong even with proper maintenance and of running fine with no maintenance. The bottom line is You paid for it and you can it service how you like, and it will treat you accordingly. (that was a general statement and is in no way directed at one person). You will develope a afinity with the bike and you will know how she is feeling.
 
well, thanks for the info. Does anybody know where I can get the instructions on how to check the clearence just for my own testing? But the ticking is not accessive so I dont think I will worry too much it will just be a winter project since I dont like to ride in the really cold conditions

Thanks everybody
 
I Have A V Star 1100 The VaLVes Were Checked At The First Service I Now Have Just Over 4000 Miles On It. And Have Been Asking Myself The Smae Questions Aobut The Valves. Should I Have Them Checked? There Doesnt Seem To Be Alot Of Noise.
 
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