Valve clearances.

[SteveM]

Hi All, I've just been checking the valve clearances for the first time (by me) on my '11 plate GSA and have a few pictures showing the procedure below. The bike was dealer serviced for the first two years whilst it was leased, and subsequently since the warranty expiration has been maintained by myself. It has covered nearly 13K miles and I change the engine oil every 2K. Currently using Motul 5100 10w-50 semi synthetic.
Nothing seemed to be out of tolerance however I noticed a couple of things that I'd like opinions on.



The first thing I noticed on removal of the left hand valve cover was a small pool of residue that looked like silt in between the webs of the casting. there wasn't much of it and it didn't feel particularly abrasive but it nevertheless seemed strange that it was there at all. As there was no residue in the right hand valve cover I'm assuming it collects there due to being on the side stand side of the bike. Anyone else seen this or could give an explanation?


Sorry, not great photos.


Anyway, after cleaning that out I lined up the corresponding marks on the cams of the left hand cylinder and proceeded to measure the valve gaps.





In the following picture you can see I have a 0.4mm feeler gauge (the maximum recommended gap) between the cam and the follower on the lower exhaust valve, but it will only fit through in the position shown, you cannot move it towards the left (front of the bike) where the gap is less about 0.3mm. I checked all the other valves on the left hand head and they were all uniformly gapped across the cam lobe, with only this one showing a tight spot. Am I worrying about nothing? Probably.....



Below is the right hand cylinder showing a similar characteristic on the upper exhaust valve. Again, loose on the inner (towards the rear of the bike) part of the cam and tighter on the outer part. The following series of pictures show the wear pattern on the cam lobes, does this look normal to everyone? I have no idea. I suppose the fact that the gaps are all within tolerance after 13K miles must mean all is well but I'd appreciate any thoughts if anyone sees anything untoward.













Steve

 

[Roymondo]

I don't like the wear/discolouration on the cam lobes shown in those last few photos (not the very last one). Wouldn't expect to see that with onlyy 13k miles on the clock (especially given the oil change regime mentioned).

 

[fuddy]

You worry to much, change you oil at 6k and save yourself some money.

 

[Bendy toy]

The dirty mark on the rocker cover is about 5ml of oil pooling after the bike is parked on the side stand. Perfectly normal and nothing to fret about.

While you have the spanners out take the alternator belt cover off and check for corrosion around the bottom bolt. On mine it spread from there to the usual area on the front of the cover. Also check the paint around the bottom two cover screws. They also corrode there regardless of whether a mudflap is fitted.

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

So much oil....

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Why do you change the oil every 2000? 6000 is absolutely fine.

 

[SteveM]

I got a really good deal on lots of Motul 10w-50 semi synth and Mahle oil filters, and I enjoy maintaining the bike the best I can (apart from too much cleaning) as I intend to keep it forever.
It costs me about £22 and half an hour to do an oil and filter change every few months, which I don't mind paying for.

 

[King Key]

You'll wear the drain plug and oil filter threads out!

 

[kwallace21]

Pointless changing oil every 2k. It's not a Formula One race car.

 

[cookie]

This^^^

And don't give me that "oil's cheap, engines are expensive" bollocks.

 

[SteveM]

Please all of you, don't lose any sleep over my oil change regime. I can afford it, I enjoy doing it, it's not harming you, and I do realise that it's not necessary.

 

[fuddy]

Please all of you, don't lose any sleep over my oil change regime. I can afford it, I enjoy doing it, it's not harming you, and I do realise that it's not necessary.

Service intervals are always on the safe side, this is just wasteful.

 

[SteveM]

Service intervals are always on the safe side, this is just wasteful.

You're quite clearly an expert in these matters. Just how far on the safe side are the service intervals? is 7000 miles between oil changes OK? Maybe 8K, or perhaps 9K. Do tell.

BTW. Haven't you heard, wastefulness makes the world go round, they call it consumerism. I didn't need to buy a BMW GS in the first place as I've got a car which is far more useful and less expensive, as have probably 90% or more of the people on this forum. For a lot of people their bike is a luxury, a hobby or an enjoyable distraction, certainly not a necessity - therefore wasteful. I dare say you're in this category too........ waster.

 

[fuddy]

You're quite clearly an expert in these matters. Just how far on the safe side are the service intervals? is 7000 miles between oil changes OK? Maybe 8K, or perhaps 9K. Do tell.

BTW. Haven't you heard, wastefulness makes the world go round, they call it consumerism. I didn't need to buy a BMW GS in the first place as I've got a car which is far more useful and less expensive, as have probably 90% or more of the people on this forum. For a lot of people their bike is a luxury, a hobby or an enjoyable distraction, certainly not a necessity - therefore wasteful. I dare say you're in this category too........ waster.

I do mine at 6k but if it goes over a bit I don't worry.

 

[JerseyNeil]

I'm with Steve.
It's his money and oil and if he enjoys doing it and it is therapeutic and enjoyable who are we to coment. Yes we are all entitled to our opinions but let's not slate the man for it. It's not like he is a serial killer or a politician. or is he...........

Many on here change their whole bikes more often than I change my oil but that's their choice.

Just don't put the old oil (some might say still new oil ) down the drain or in the local brook.

Neil

 

[SteveM]

I do mine at 6k but if it goes over a bit I don't worry.

Yeah but that's the 'edgy', 'devil may care' kind of guy you are.

As opposed to me, I'm a waster and worry too much.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

You could drain the oil out and put it right back in 3 times. Fully compliant with your therapy but saving the planets resources just that little bit ;-)

 

[birdseye]

dont worry about the slight unevenness in the clearances. The original compnents have tolerances and they inevitably wear a little bit to get to work together properly. Worry about it if your clearances go suddenly well out of tolerance.

There is a disease called "mechanical hypochondria". Causes you to worry about odd noises youhear, about odd wear patterns, odd marks etc. Cure is to go out and thrash the nuts off the bike.

 

[Wilde]

Spot on Birdseye. Second that. The topend looks all well and good. Gosh I have seen some sorry sights in CB900 motors etc in my grease monkey days. Enjoy the ride and the therapeutic oil changes.

Wilde and Insane

 

[SteveM]

You could drain the oil out and put it right back in 3 times. Fully compliant with your therapy but saving the planets resources just that little bit ;-)

Top idea Marki, never considered that. Only a Scotsman could see the obvious yet cheap solution so clearly

Cheers Birdseye, unfortunately mechanical hypochondria is a prerequisite in my kind of work, I'll try not to let it creep into home life though.