I had a few days off, so I've been doing some bits and pieces.
Now at 30,000 miles I thought I should check the valve clearances, since I'm positive this has never been done.

Adventure Spec Bashplate off (what an arse)
Panels off
Tank off
Drain the radiator + expansion tank
Radiator off
Turn engine to TDC and begin

All the valves seemed a little tight, so I adjusted them to correct tolerances:


I used a mid-point gauge so intake (rear) was set to 0.11mm, and exhaust (front) was 0.18mm

From start to finish, took about an hour and a half as I replaced O-rings too.
Have to put the bashplate back on, since it's part of the engine mounting and I don't want it shaking around (again, what an arse!)

Start the bike up and it sounds like a lawnmower. Rattle sounds coming from the top of the cylinder head and I knew something was amiss.


So here we go again, take it all to bits AGAIN. Bashplate off (arse), Drain the coolant, remove the rad, check clearances.

They are where I left them, except I noticed that perhaps each rocker wasn't exactly even on both sides. So i made sure they were even and I did them right up to the tightest tolerance. 0.09 and 0.16

Back together again (after this time cleaning all the crud out of the radiator fins)
Again, took me about an hour.


THIS TIME - still a bit rattly (I think coming from the exhaust valves) and took it for a spin and performance is down, feeling stifled a little.

So it seems I can't win! Too loose and it rattles. Too tight and it feels restricted and STILL rattles!

Looks like I'll be doing it again tomorrow.


Any tips?

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Bike: 2013 XT660Z, TKC70 tyres

Mods:
Barkbusters, Scottoiler, DIY Tail Mod, DNA Stage 3, Power Commander V & O2 Eliminator, Exan X-Black Stainless exhaust, Tool tube, Ohlins linear front fork springs, Nitron rear shock, JT front and Supersprox rear sprockets, D.I.D. VX 520 chain, Adventure Spec bashplate, DIY USB Outlet, DIY chain guide, Kev's Throttle mod

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