k7 + valve clearance.

[eric1789uk]

I think the valve clearance on the k7 and younger burgers has to be adjusted by replacing the shims which must be a retrograde step. Am I right in thinking that as the engine is used the gap will become greater and so wider shims need to be introduced, rather than the gap becoming smaller which would risk damage to the engine. Anyone help with this?

[Steve_D]

I think the gap would become smaller as the valves hammer into the seats and reduce the clearance. Thinner shims would be needed.

[Dave Weller]

It will stay within tolerance on most scoots for the life of the scoot, you can take off the cam box cover to check them, but those that have, have not found that they needed adjustment. I looked on the USA site and came to that conclusion.

[pikey]

Should be OK and within spec for 50K miles

[eric1789uk]

Having looked on you tube at vids, its a hell of a job to check em, easier to take the engine out. Think I'll leave well alone.

[pikey]

Its worth checking but shouldn't need re shimming

[Data]

As pikey says, check them for sure, that's easy. You can do it without removing too much stuff. Take the spark plug out to make turning the engine over easy. It's a doddle, and get the workshop manual if you haven't got one. A Haynes will do nicely at around the £16 mark on Amazon or Ebay. It describes the whole procedure from start to finish and how to adjust them if needed. It doesn't take long and is not too challenging for the average home mech if you just read the manual first. Hopefully they won't need adjusting but if they do the cams do have to come out to change the shims, but you prolly know that. It's not hard though and Suzuki have made it pretty easy to do. Just take your time. The valve clearances normally close up, especially the exhaust side of things. So don't miss a check. Clearances can vary considerably from bike to bike. Of the 4 bikes (Burgman 400's) that I've been looking after, only one has needed adjusting at the 14.5k service and another one at 55k. You don't want your engine buggered up. Come back if you need more advice. If i get the all clear next week in hospital, and if you are not too far away, I'd be glad to show you how it's done if you like.

[Data]

Just seen where you are eric, it's a bit too far for me at the moment even if my ticker is ok. Sorry bout that. Gladly can talk you through it if you need detailed advice on the day.

[eric1789uk]

I'm o.k. at the mo, got1 a Haynes for xmas off no. 1 son and studied you tube, so when the time comes will check em myself. As for adjusting, might seek further assistance then. I've only just got 4000 on the clock so I shoud be o.k. yet for a year or so but thanks for the info and encouragement. I find it hard to believe that any but the most trustworthy garage would perform this task on the required service, giving the amount of bits to take off and re assemble, or maybe I'm a pessimist

[Data]

Eric, to check the clearances there isn't actually much you have to take off to check them, over and above a normal routine service. Although you may want to take a panel or two more off to take the cams out. It takes me about 2 hours from start to finish to check the clearances, remove some panels and actually do the adjustment eg: taking out one or more of the cams, change the shims, reassemble etc etc etc. It's very straightforward even for anyone who hasn't done it before as long as you know how to use a torque wrench and can work in a clean methodical manner. Of course, if you haven't done it before it should actually take you a bit longer than 2 hours in order to make sure you are not making mistakes. Try 3.5 - 4 hours, that seem to be the average first time job time to check the valves, take cams out and reshim, then reassemble. You really don't want to hurry any aspect of it. But once you've done it once (that is cams out and adjustment) it's so easy you'll wonder why you were ever worried about it. Probably you won't need to adjust the clearances on the first check, but make sure they are ok with doing a check anyway. One in 10 bikes from new needs some adjustment we've found on that first service and nearly always to the exhaust valves.