Valve clearances time vs miles?

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dern
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Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by dern »

My assumption is that valve clearances don’t change over time, just miles. Is that correct? The bike I just bought has the valve clearances and rocker arms changed 2000 miles ago but 5 years ago. Leaving this and checking when it’s warmer but riding it in the meantime doesn’t seem like a high risk strategy… agreed?

Thanks

Mark
Last edited by dern on Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by weeksy »

Wouldn't worry me in truth.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by Yorick »

Mechanical things only wear through use.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by dern »

That’s what I thought. I’ll change the oil and get using it. Cheers.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

The valve clearances tighten up because the valve springs stretch the valve stems, that doesn't happen when the engine isn't running, the the clearances get wider either the cams or the followers are wearing, again this only happens when the engine is running.

Wide clearances won't hurt the engine but you'll loose a small amount of power, tight valves will wreck an engine eventually.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by porter_jamie »

Well and the seats recess too
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by porter_jamie »

Me being me I'd check them anyway as I'm sure it's not a tricky job. But they shouldn't have gone anywhere. Be good to have a look see what state the cam is in and see if there's any gravel and shit about
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by JackyJoll »

Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by dern »

I’ve got the receipts.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by Demannu »

It's a KTM FFS.
The pixies will have been in there and changed EVERYTHING!
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by porter_jamie »

Lol
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by JackyJoll »

dern wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:59 pm I’ve got the receipts.
That certainly proves that they got some money.


If they did it at all, they probably did it wrong.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by Horse »

JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:51 pm Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
Even bland can be a type of character :wave:
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by dern »

JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 3:32 pm
dern wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:59 pm I’ve got the receipts.
That certainly proves that they got some money.


If they did it at all, they probably did it wrong.
Your optimism is an inspiration.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by David »

Horse wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:16 pm
JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:51 pm Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
Yes, but they dry out when you use them.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by Horse »

David wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:24 pm
Horse wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:16 pm
JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:51 pm Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
Yes, but they dry out when you use them.
I tried an Italian tune up to try and get rid of the condensation muck in the crankcases. Didn't work.
Even bland can be a type of character :wave:
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by JackyJoll »

Horse wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:16 pm
JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:51 pm Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
I hope they don’t taste as bad as brake fluid.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by David »

JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:41 pm
Horse wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:16 pm
JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 1:51 pm Do you believe this yarn about what was fixed five years ago?
Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
I hope they don’t taste as bad as brake fluid.
No, the heat drives the nasty off, they taste like a virgins bum.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by JackyJoll »

David wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 7:35 pm
JackyJoll wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 5:41 pm
Horse wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 4:16 pm

Are valve clearances like brake fluid, absorbing moisture over time? :)
I hope they don’t taste as bad as brake fluid.
No, the heat drives the nasty off, they taste like a virgins bum.
Female yeah?

I wouldn’t want to get caught out again.
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Re: Valve clearances time vs miles?

Post by David »

Definitely. I have no experience of other types .