Valve Adjustment

[Red Rocket GS1100]

Hey guys and gals.
Firstly I just want to say that my bike seems to be running great! The only thing is that I dont know how much engine noise is acceptable or good.
I have heard about the need to occasionally adjust the valves. Would mal-adjusted valves make that noise. I expect to get some noise from the cam chain. But how much is "normal". I guess there is no real good way to tell someone how much noise but if you know what I mean can you provide some direction?
I just want to make sure that I am not neglecting any service on my bike.

[chuckycheese]

I'd do it...

If you don't know when (or if) it's been done, it would probably be a good idea to do it. It might save you a burned valve and a bunch of money in the future. There's a multitude of advice on the forum regarding this issue.:-|

[mark]

Excessive noise won't come from mal-adjusted valves, since as they wear the clearances become SMALLER. So they should be checked at regular intervals.

There's a certain amount of clatter that's very normal on these bikes.

[chef1366]

My bike makes more noise after a valve adjusment.

[SqDancerLynn1]

If the carbs are out of sync It will be noisey too.. Run the motor about 2K rpm then listen for noise

[Red Rocket GS1100]

Thanks I will do that...

I have never done a valve adjustment. I wanted to change out the cover gasket anyway. (guessing the valve clearance is checked at the top).
Not a lot of room there. Guess that means I will have to take the carbs off huh?? Not looking forward to that. It's running so darned good right now. Almost dont want to touch it. Just the noise bothers me. If it were a harley I wouldn't even hear it as the exhaust would drown out the noise. The PO kind of neglected the bike from a mechanical point of view so I am trying to cover all of the bases. When he sold it to me he did the carbs, oil change and a back tire.
Chain and sprockets were in real bad shape. (found out after trying to adjust the chain. Real tight in place really loose in another.)
So before I burn anything else out or make a bigger mess of things then they are. So I am wanting to check out everything.

[koolaid_kid]

Oh, no. Not an 1100E. I have heard they are nothing but trouble...:-D
But seriously, all you have to do is unhook the fuel tank (fuel line, vacuum line, fuel gauge wire) and remove the tank. Of course, the seat and side covers should be removed first. Then you can remove the valve cover (and replace the gasket when reassembling). You will need to remove the ignition cover on the right side so you can rotate the crank to locate TDC. Then adjust according to your manual, be it Haynes, Clymer, or factory Suzuki. If you do not have one or more of these, buy one first. It is essential, and not an option.

[koolaid_kid]

Excessive noise won't come from mal-adjusted valves, since as they wear the clearances become SMALLER. So they should be checked at regular intervals.
There's a certain amount of clatter that's very normal on these bikes.

Although this is essentially correct (clearances get tighter as the valves wear), if the PO made the clearances too loose it could make noise. Thus I would check the valve clearances first, since you have to replace the valve cover gasket anyway. I would suspect the cam chain, but would proceed through all the possible alternatives, rather than eliminating anything right off the bat. IIRCC, you may be able to adjust the cam chain at the same time as you check your valve clearances. As far as normal noise, again, it will not be as quiet as a water cooled bike, but it should not sound like your lawn mover. Never make any assumptions when starting out on a bike of suspicious origins. Once you check out all the sources, document everything. Then you have a baseline on which to start. Just an FYI.

[rphillips]

New question??? The cam chain isn't adjustable, is it???

[salty_monk]

It's not on mine... not 100% on yours.

Dan

[Nessism]

Cam chain tension is performed by an automatic tensioner - spring loaded. Sometimes the mechanism jambs thus allowing excessive slack to develop in the chain. Check the GSR home page for a link to an excellent tutorial on how to rebuild the tensioner - you can use this same info to check yours.