recovered a14 update

[The Mule]

Thank you to Walt, Mark St. H., Devon, and others (you know who you are!) for your offers, support, and suggestions concerning my recently recovered A14. Mad props out to Tumu Rock; Although it's not news to any of you who know him, I've gotta say this guy(manbro) is one good soul. He brought his pick-up to the precinct to pick the bike up with me, only to find out they wouldn't release the bike without an OK from the officer on the case, who couldn't be found. So we're gonna try back later in the week. Apparantly, preliminary reports are that Mule #1 is in pretty good shape. We'll see when we get it. The Mule [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[john W]

I just got in from adjusting my klr250 valved for the 3rd time in about 3 weeks. I had a thread going a few weeks ago named 'crappy idle', which turned out to be very tight valves. I can blame that one on the PO...I then went out scouting for off-road placed to ride w/my son on the back. We were out for about 80 miles or so going 60-70mph (I just put in a 17t front sprocket). On the way home, it almost died and idled poorly. I tore the covers off, checked the valves and WTF, the intake valves were tight. Adjusted it and it ran fine. Now I'm going more on the highway to work (20 miles each way) and after only one tank (50mpg btw) the frikkin thing almost died on me while getting off the highway. I just loosened the intake valves which were tight -again-. I can understand them being tight the first time I checked (po) , but for the life of me don't know how it happened 2x times. could be: 1) I didn't tighten the nut enought (but if that were the case, whouldn't they go looser rather than tighter?) 2) Maybe there's crap on the valve seats that's being 'cleaned' away since I'm riding much more frequently. And because of this, the valves are raising more and more. Not sure about this one (I made it up) I'm not sure what else could cause this. I check and doube-checked after each time I adjusted by turning the crank a few times, then checking the clearance again. Any thoughts ? Am I missing something here ? It isn't too bad adjusting the valves since I don't have to mess with shims, but I don't want to have to do this every tank ! I need to get off my butt and get my '650... __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Calendar - Free online calendar with sync to Outlook(TM). http://calendar.yahoo.com

[Guy B. Young II - COG Tech. Ed.]

John, 1. It's a crap shoot which way a thing that rotates will respond from the vibration of a reciprocating engine. Don't think the Coriolis Effect can come into play here, so they can rotate CW or CCW. 2. Possible, but check to see just how much adjustment is left on the screw adjusters. If you're running out of adjuster, then I suspect that the valves are tuliping, meaning that they are soft and sinking into the heads. Kaw had a problem with this on early model '86 Concours. They came out with harder (intake) valves as the result, but owners of those models who had no initial indication there was a problem until the mileage had built up were faced with an expensive repair bill to get the seats re-cut and the valves replaced. Mine eventually showed up around 75K; red-line riders bikes showed up much earlier. If you are having to make major adjustments, which it sounds like you are, then I suspect tuliping valves and they should be replaced. Guy At 08:06 AM 5/31/03 -0700, john w wrote:

>1) I didn't tighten the nut enought (but if that were >the case, whouldn't they go looser rather than >tighter?) > >2) Maybe there's crap on the valve seats that's being >'cleaned' away since I'm riding much more frequently. >And >because of this, the valves are raising more and more. >Not sure about this one (I made it up)

[john W]

Thanks ! I was looking for "room" in the remaining threads but not counting the threads before. However, each time i go to adjust them the nut IS tight, which supports your cupping theory. I haven't screwed anything down yet (cover,etc) so I'll count my threads today. BTW it is an '86 model ! thanks again --- "Guy B. Young II - COG Tech. Ed." wrote:

> John, > > 2. Possible, but check to see just how much > adjustment is left on > the screw adjusters. If you're running out of > adjuster, then > I suspect that the valves are tuliping, meaning > that they are > soft and sinking into the heads. > > Kaw had a problem with this on early model '86 > Concours. They > came out with harder (intake) valves as the

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