valve clearance issues!

brads83 · New Member Joined: Mar 31, 2009 Posts: 5

Hi guys, checking in for a tip or two from raleigh NC! I have an 83 that I need to do some tune up on so I went ahead and changed the oil, spark plugs, new air filters, adjusted the tensioner but when i went to look up the valve clearances I have found at least 4 different settings from 4 different places! I know you adjust the side that is TDC then go to the other side, set it TDC and adjust them. I have found the following for my year on 4 different sites:

Intake exhaust
1.).003 .006
2).006 .012
3).0024 .006
4).005 .010

so what is the right clearance for an 83 SH???? everyone has something different and even a couple of manuals has different settings Rolling Eyes

how in the world do you know which one to trust???? does anyone have the CORRECT settings for this engine cold?

yamaman · Posted: August 15, 2009, 12:22 pm Post subject: Re: valve clearance issues!

Welcome along brads83, check out this thread.
Also have a bit of a read through the vault, contains plenty of good info there to get you started! Cheers

650rider.com/index.php...6297#66297

Joseph · Full Member Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 767 Location: NY

General concencius for our bike I hav an 80 and your 83 is .0025 to .003 on intake and .006 on exhaust.
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nj1639 · Posted: August 15, 2009, 6:15 pm Post subject: Re: valve clearance issues!

'83 sk Heritage Special here. .004 snug intake and .006 exhaust, both set cold works for me.

Jack · Full Member Joined: Mar 15, 2005 Posts: 411

Yamaha had just two camshafts for the XS,the 256 and 447 , as to why they've listed several valve settings is anyone's guess but these camshafts require moderate lash settings to provide a lube film between the adjuster,rocker face and cam lube to prevent galling and to allow the valves to fully seat themselves. The norm is .004 intake and .006 exhaust.

xsleo · Posted: August 16, 2009, 10:47 am Post subject: Re: valve clearance issues!

Maybe they tried different settings to try quieting the valve noise. A tighter gap make less noise.

yamaman · Posted: August 16, 2009, 10:50 am Post subject: Re: valve clearance issues!

Yep, sounds feasible, then when they found it was destroying the valves while still under warranty, they bought it back out!

brads83 · New Member Joined: Mar 31, 2009 Posts: 5

I think mine is still wrong....it sounds like a HUGE ALARM CLOCK! gonna try again tommorrow! Isn't it something I changed and checked everything on the bike (including finding why it wasn't charging...regulator..bought a fleabay special for 15.00 go figure) and can't do valve clearances? Rolling Eyes

Joseph · Full Member Joined: May 22, 2007 Posts: 767 Location: NY

Ive heard some real sewing machine sounding 650's on utube. I think that is just how some of em sound. Mine isn't bad I use .003 on the intakes. It is actually a loose .0024 because I cant find my .003, but I cant get 4 under it. I might actually try a snug .004 because mine doesn't sound bad now. You cant hurt anything I know of by going as low as .0025 and it might quiet it down. I think the intakes make more nois from what I've read, doesnt make alot of sence because the exhaust is .006 but I don't realy here people having trouble with .006 on exhaust.

brads83 · New Member Joined: Mar 31, 2009 Posts: 5

Ok! good to go! thanks for the info. It was much appreciated. I adjusted them wrong (read the guide wrong) but went back next day with guide in hand and man they were WAY off! no alarm clock sound now....they were REALLY LOSE!

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