Valve Clearance???
 

Ok, I've searched internet and this forum and may not need any advice at all, I just wanted to double check that what I was doing was correct.

I am, for the first time, checking my valve clearances and am a noob to all of this so.... All of the TDC have been set correctly as far as I can tell, and my clearance measurements would indicate this. My intake valves, on both cylinders, measure at .013 mm which is JUST in spec. The rears measure at .032 mm which also fits in the range in the manual. What I am curious about is if I should get a shim kit and up the valves in the intakes to .016 mm. As far as I can tell I need a $70 kit to do this...

My second question is what direction the valve clearances usually change. I would think that if anything it would have extra clearance, not less (as seen on my intakes)... Is this incorrect thinking? Thanks for the help!

If I remember correctly, motorcycle valves tighten up over time.

They tighten up as the valve sinks into the head over time which raises the height of the stem decreasing clearance. Remove and measure the intake shims then go to your local Honda dealer and buy the next size smaller... they should sell them individually... usually back in the service dept.

#16, you just need to figure out which sizes you need

http://www.hondapartsline.com/fiche_...1998&fveh=4077

Also those $70 kits are pretty worthless as they leave out all the X.X25 & X.X75 shims.

The shims in the motor should be labeled but it is always a good idea to measure them to make sure.

Measured Clearance
+ existing shim thickness (use a micrometer )
= Total
- Target clearance (loose end of spec. or largest allowable clearance )
= Calculated ideal shim size

The aftermarket kits i believe come in increments of .05 mm as opposed to every .025 mm the OEM shims come in and you dont have to buy the whole kit . Remember to set your clearances to the loose side . For target clearance on the intake valves 0.19 mm and Exhaust 0.34 mm. If Honda does not make the exact calculated ideal shim size choose the next larger shim size . Your target clearance will not be exact but it will be close .

as said they usually tighten up. If you've gone to all this trouble you might as well set them perfectly now. It actually does make a difference to how they run. And then you're in there you can always put in manual CCT.
If you have a honda shop you use frequently often they will even take the old shims in trade for new ones. worst case you can buy individually.

8541 Hawk: What bay area Honda shop do you like to go to for stuff like the shims?

Thanks,
Roy

Personally I use Hollister Honda for all my parts needs but if you don't want to deal with them then there is also Motor Cafe in Sunnyvale (they used to be Peninsula Honda).
Also if you want to join SBR, you get a nice little discount. ;)

Is it more a case of you not liking Motor Cafe since it is closer or just you like Hollister Honda that much better?

It's more that Hollister has the best customer service of any dealership I've been in.

If you decide to use them, shoot me a PM and I'll tell you who to talk with and you can use me as a reference. They also ship UPS if you don't want to drive out there.

http://www.hollisterhonda.com/

Thank you for the heads up!

Great pricing and free shipping as well (right now) .

Thanks for all the advice! makes more sense, everything does. Glad I can do something to this besides clean it... although b/c I wanted to make sure everything was set right (I can do TDC with my eyes closed now) it took me like 4 hours for what I imagine is a 30 min job. Ended up having to buy 4 shims after shuffling around the 8 that I had. Glad i did; the honda shop I use didn't feel like trading old ones, and the new ones were 10 bucks a pop. Those little pieces of metal are hella expensive.