How long to set valves?

[Anonymous]

Clymer says 24 hours, Suzuki says to wait until the bike is cold. How about 12 hours, is that okay? I developed a really nasty ticking under hard acceleration so I have to fix it ASAP but having the bike down for 24 hours is unnacceptable. 8)

Thanks in advance, Steve

[Billy Ricks]

Three or four hours should be plenty, especially in cooler weather. Pull the valve cover and if the valve components feel cool to the touch that's good enough.

[Anonymous]

Hi Billy,
You were right. 3 hours was more than enough time with a 10C ambient temperature. 6 of my 8 valves were out of adjustment so I'm hoping I've solved my clanging.

Steve

[mcconnell]

Glad you took care of the valve adjustment but if it was only 'ticking nastily' under hard acceleration, I doubt it was the valves. They don't know or care whether the engine is accelerating or decelerating; the clearance remains the same. I think you have some detonation going on. Try a high octane gas and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

McConnell:
I have since found out that I have a loose header on my left cylinder. One of the bolts broke off so what I'm hearing is the exhaust blowing around the header when I'm running the bike hard.

I am still surprised that so many valves could go amuck after 7000 km though. That isn't too long.

Steve

[mcconnell]

Bolt broke off? I'd rather have the detonation. Hopefully the bolt is accessible and you can get a drill to it or enough of the bolt is left to get vice-grips on. Good luck.