VALVE CHECK RESULTS 2011 R1200RT

[Steve Kolenda]

Getting ready for trip in a couple of weeks that will probably be around 6,000 miles so I thought I would check the valves on my new 2011 R1200RT which currently has 3,200. Weather here is kinda crappy right now so I thougt it would also give me a chance to get familar with the valve checking procedure. I have seen several posting where valve clearances have been very close to the mean and seldom move, so I am a little surprised at the readings that I have gotton and maybe I have done something wrong.

Right side exahaust (top) .310 (bottom) .350.

Right side intake (top) .100 goes .127 does not (bottom) .100 goes .127 does not

Left side exhaust (top) .305 goes .330 does not (bottom) .305 goes .330 does not

Left side intake (top) .15 (bottom) .102 goes .127 does not

I have repeated my check of both sides twice and get identical readings. I used the edge of a 6" rule to line up the straigt edges on the cams, thinking that would be more accurate than visualing the marks. I rotated the rear wheel (in the direction as if the bike was moving forward) to do the alignment. Bike temp was stone cold at 60 drgress. Items in red are out of spec. Any thought on all of this?

[dirtrider]

---- I have seen several posting where valve clearances have been very close to the mean and seldom move, so I am a little surprised at the readings that I have gotton and maybe I have done something wrong.

 

Afternoon Steve

 

That hasn’t been my experience. In spec yes but at the mean no.

 

See this tread below.

 

http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=689496&Searchpage=1&Main=61883&Words=valves&Search=true#Post689496

 

[Steve Kolenda]

dirtrider,

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I guess I did't pay as much attention as I thought I had. What would be your recomendation as far as adjustment? I was going to ask as to what direction wear would be but I guess from the post you referenced, that appears to be an unkown at this time.

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Steve

 

I guess I really can’t tell you the wear direction (yet). But if your cams were lined up properly then it sounds like your intakes are tightening a bit. If it were me I would CAREFULLY re-measure all of them again AFTER verifying my feeler gauges were accurate with a precision micrometer.

 

If those intakes are still showing tight I would re-shim them to about center of spec then re-check after your trip.

 

A bit loose on valves always makes (me) happier than a bit tight (especially on exhaust)

 

Now is the time to start your baseline record keeping so next check you can maybe get a wear direction.

 

I would imagine at your 3200 miles they should be settling down & staying put.

 

[Steve Kolenda]

dirtrider,

 

I have measured both sides twice. The second time after rotating back through TDC again and results are consistant. I have taken all of the shims out and recorded their size and verified their size. I will verify that feelers are good and then will sit down and figure which shims I need to bring into the mean and order them. Thanks for your help.

[dirtrider]

Afternoon Steve

 

Once you know what sizes you need maybe your dealer will trade you what you have for what you need. In fact some of those intakes are tight enough below specs at 3200 miles to maybe be a warranty thing (dealer can make some money while you do the work)

 

It looks like it’s about time to start a CamHead shim pool thread here so CamHead guys can swap needed shims. We have been doing that with KLR shims for quite a while now (actually my KLR has BMW K-bike shims as they are the same.