Something different about my bike?!

[dazzler24]

Hadn't been for a ride in a little while but went out today for a shortish jaunt.  After a while musing about life, the Universe and the bigger picture, I got to thinking that something felt different about the bike but couldn't put my finger on it.  What was it?  It felt different... smoother!

It was then that I realised/remembered that I'd done a throttle body sync while I had the tank off fitting my cruise control a couple of weeks ago.  The readings at the bodies while close, did call for some adjustment and that seems to have made all the difference.  It's been about 5000kms (~3000 miles) since I did the last one and they had evidently changed subtly and unnoticed over that time but had introduced just a tiny bit of vibration into the pegs and handlebar for me to notice it - when it was gone!

Moral of the story is: - If you've never done or had done a throttle body sync, do yourself a favour and either get it done at your shop or buy one of the many (cheap) tools available  You'll save yourself a few bucks by doing it yourself and you'll be rewarded with a 'new' bike feeling if those bodies were out of sync.  The tool I have is the Irish made Morgan CarbTune device. Simple but effective.

[Buggy Nate]

Awesome! I always went out of my way to clean and sync throttle bodies when I was spannering. All but the gumbies noticed a smoother engine, especially when combined with the correct valve clearances and fresh plugs. Very worthwhile!

[betoney]

5 hours ago, Buggy Nate said:

All but the gumbies noticed a smoother engine, especially when combined with the correct valve clearances and fresh plugs. Very worthwhile!

My bike is scheduled for all of the above next week.

[dazzler24]

Correct Valve clearances eh?   Hmmm.  I've done a lot of mechanical jobs on the bike but haven't thought to venture into that area.  Is it something that is routine and relatively easily doable by me - Joe amateur?  Or a shop job.

[Buggy Nate]

3 hours ago, dazzler24 said:

Correct Valve clearances eh?   Hmmm.  I've done a lot of mechanical jobs on the bike but haven't thought to venture into that area.  Is it something that is routine and relatively easily doable by me - Joe amateur?  Or a shop job.

I always laughed when people asked me that question at the shop. I find it easy! 😜
But I’ve had training. Depends entirely how mechanically minded you are. 

Some people are naturally heavy handed and don’t have the required attention to detail. There are some specialised tools needed, some can be made though. The process itself is basic enough but you need to be methodical. Workshop manual is a must. What sort of tasks have you been comfortable doing up until now mate?

Edited November 14, 2019 by Buggy Nate

[koth442]

4 hours ago, dazzler24 said:

Correct Valve clearances eh?   Hmmm.  I've done a lot of mechanical jobs on the bike but haven't thought to venture into that area.  Is it something that is routine and relatively easily doable by me - Joe amateur?  Or a shop job.

It's not too bad. Checking the valves is pretty straight forward. Adjusting the valves can be tedious because you've got to pull the cam shaft. 

[skipperT]

23 hours ago, betoney said:

My bike is scheduled for all of the above next week.

Is this your first check Betoney?

-Skip

[betoney]

7 minutes ago, skipperT said:

Is this your first check Betoney?

-Skip

No, this will be the 2nd check.  1st time was at a little over a year ago @ 23K, all exhaust valves were tight, plugs looked fantastic and TB sync just needed the very slightest tweak.  At that time, my mechanic suggested the 2nd valve check should be closer to 20K interval just to be safe.

Based on the results next week, we will determine the next interval, +/-.

[skipperT]

7 hours ago, dazzler24 said:

Correct Valve clearances eh?   Hmmm.  I've done a lot of mechanical jobs on the bike but haven't thought to venture into that area.  Is it something that is routine and relatively easily doable by me - Joe amateur?  Or a shop job.

As Buggy and Koth have mentioned, it’s doable for anyone with mechanical patience and ability. There are quite a few threads on here which get into some detail that you might find helpful to sift through. 

I must have missed it, how many miles/km on your bike? Yamaha recommends 26.6k/43k miles/km. Many of us have checked them early and found the exhaust valves tight, so I would certainly recommend sooner rather than later. 

you could also say: hey I’d like to try checking them myself, and if they’re off then I’ll take it to a shop to have them measured, cam shafts removed, and new shims installed. 

-Skip

[skipperT]

15 minutes ago, betoney said:

No, this will be the 2nd check.  1st time was at a little over a year ago @ 23K, all exhaust valves were tight, plugs looked fantastic and TB sync just needed the very slightest tweak.  At that time, my mechanic suggested the 2nd valve check should be closer to 20K interval just to be safe.

Based on the results next week, we will determine the next interval, +/-.

Roger. I’m curious what you find. I loosened mine around 21-22k as well, and checked them again last week at 30k: all the exhaust have tightened up enough to need loosening again. 
didn’t have enough time to pull the cam, so now that’s on my list to do ASAP. 

-Skip

[betoney]

22 minutes ago, skipperT said:

Roger. I’m curious what you find. I loosened mine around 21-22k as well, and checked them again last week at 30k: all the exhaust have tightened up enough to need loosening again. 
didn’t have enough time to pull the cam, so now that’s on my list to do ASAP. 

-Skip

Yes, the service manager at my local shop is curious as well.  He said most of their customers don't ride as much as I do so they haven't done a 2nd valve check on a CP3 yet.

I will be sure to post my results.

[skipperT]

2 hours ago, betoney said:

Yes, the service manager at my local shop is curious as well.  He said most of their customers don't ride as much as I do so they haven't done a 2nd valve check on a CP3 yet.

I will be sure to post my results.

Cool. I’ll get specific numbers on mine when I’m near my notes and post them as well. 
We should probably start a new thread?

-S

[Buggy Nate]

Good point on the check vs adjust Skip, easy as to do a check and then if you need to take it to a shop for the adjust.

Otherwise slap the cam cover back on and ride for another 20-40k km.

[dazzler24]

12 hours ago, Buggy Nate said:

I always laughed when people asked me that question at the shop. I find it easy! 😜
But I’ve had training. Depends entirely how mechanically minded you are. 

Some people are naturally heavy handed and don’t have the required attention to detail. There are some specialised tools needed, some can be made though. The process itself is basic enough but you need to be methodical. Workshop manual is a must. What sort of tasks have you been comfortable doing up until now mate?

@Buggy Nate - Removing all ego out of the equation I guess I'd consider myself as reasonably handy with a spanner.  My most recent mechanical jobs on the bike was to fit a slipper clutch kit, rear shock, brake bleed, new sintered pads for front brakes - Nothing startling but FWIW.  I'm the sort of person who investigates a job to the 'n'th degree before attempting it as long as I have the tools to do it and of course feel confident that I'm capable.  On that score (tools) I've got a 'reasonable' arsenal.  Thanks for your advice.

Also, a neighbour is a retired race engine builder & racer (cars) and knows his vehicle engines inside out so I'm confident he would assist if/when necessary.  BTW right now he's putting the finishing touches on his 1963 - (I think) silver Corvette Stingray.  Very nice.  Steering wheel is on the 'wrong' side though! 😉

A bit off topic but here's some car porn for your enjoyment....

Edited November 14, 2019 by dazzler24

[dazzler24]

8 hours ago, skipperT said:

As Buggy and Koth have mentioned, it’s doable for anyone with mechanical patience and ability. There are quite a few threads on here which get into some detail that you might find helpful to sift through. 

I must have missed it, how many miles/km on your bike? Yamaha recommends 26.6k/43k miles/km. Many of us have checked them early and found the exhaust valves tight, so I would certainly recommend sooner rather than later. 

you could also say: hey I’d like to try checking them myself, and if they’re off then I’ll take it to a shop to have them measured, cam shafts removed, and new shims installed. 

-Skip

@skipperT - Thanks skip for the advice.  My bike is still 'young' in miles for it's vintage (a bit like me!) but I did see those comments elsewhere about valves being tight.  Your final comment above is probably me I'm thinking.  Sage advice.  Thanks again.