Torque specs question.
 

I'm going to look at the valves tomarrow and was wondering if someone could post the torque specs I may need. Planet KLX used to have a touque section in their tech-tips but its gone now. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Valve clearance :
Intake: 0.10-0.19 mm
exhaust: 0.15-0.24mm

cylinder head cover bolts:
7.8Nm (0.8kg-m, 69 in/lbs)

if you adjust them, the camshaft cap bolt torque is : 12n-m (1.2kg-m, 8.5 in/lbs)

I think thats all you would need.

(just happen to have the service manual right here):D

RE: Torque specs question.
 

You're awsome EMS. Exactly what was looking for :D

RE: Torque specs question.
 

I know... i know...:D Your welcome ;)

RE: Torque specs question.
 

A while back I copied down most of the commonly used torque values that I use and printed them out using a tiny font, then laminated it into a little card that I keep in my tool bag. All the torque values are in the service manuals, but they are a lot more handy on that little laminated card.

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/119261716-L.jpg

http://nobrakes.smugmug.com/photos/130097181-L.jpg

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Yeah the shops over here round-up the cover bolt torque to 1kg, but warn against going anywhere above that. REAL easy pull the threads in that soft aluminum head.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

So you carry a troque wrench in your tool bag too... ??? :D

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Sooo, my bike is in pieces in my friends shop. All the valves were at the tight endof the specs. I have the new shims that should put me right in the middle and will be installing them in the morning. I hope all goes well. Any advice would be appreciated.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

"Installation is the reverse of removal." - Kawasaki Service Manual

:D:D:D

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Yup, and keep an eye on that chain ;). I remembered your chain story as I had it in my hand. lol

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Well its back together and running.

Intake is now .15mm with a 3.00 mm shim.
Exhaust is now .20mm with a 3.00mm shim.

I did this at a little over 3800 miles. I wonder if they would have made it to 7200 miles as Kawasaki suggests. I believe this is a service that should be done sooner than the book says.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

I've been a little nervous about doing this particular bit of service myself. I've got a good shop that I could go to(non dealer), but I would rather tackle it myself for the educational benefit if nothing else. While I make my decision, I have a few questions:

1. Is this a job that I could tackle without a service manual? (read: is this finally going to give me an excuse to buy the manuals?)
2. Are any special tools required?
3. Are any gaskets required to reassemble?
4. If all go smoothly, how long should this job take?

Thanks

RE: Torque specs question.
 

chris, all you really need is a tube of rtv sealant around the valve cover, and those torque specs, im sure there is links to check valve clearances... its easy, i checked mine. You do need feeler guages, i got a set from advanced auto, checking them is maybe an hour job, but i didnt have to changed mine, so im sure that takes longer, as you have to be careful with the timing chain.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

I had some help but it wasn't that bad. EMS is right on, you won't need anything special, just a torque wrench, some tie wraps for the chain, and of course the shims. Planetklx had a GREAT writeup that I just printed out and EMS's torque specs and I was good to go. It will be MUCH easier next time. You wont believe how much crap you have to remove to get to into the valve cover. Maybe I'm new (I am) but I had to remove my Muzzyhead pipe to get the timing chain tensioner out.It took me about six hours in total, not including the parts run and other previous engagements. I did install a Garmin 60CSx and a RAM mount while I was doing the valves so that distracted me a bit here and there.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

You shouldnt have to remove the headpipe to take the tensioner out.... i have taken mine out with the exhaust all together... must be that big gun quality right there ( thats a joke) :D

RE: Torque specs question.
 

DUMB QUESTION ALERT: Are the shims sold in kits or do you buy them one at a time? If they are sold by the kit (as I suspect), then are they bike specific or is it a generic kit? If bike specific, does anyone have the part number? I don't remember seeing anything in the Common Part #s thread about a shim kit.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Ok, I dont know too much but what I did was pulled the old shims, measured them, figured out what sizes I needed. Then Icalled every shop in town, I found them and they told me they would be $12 a piece, yikes, but I needed them so ok. When I got there they were sorry but could only find 2, crap, he tells me to hold on and comes back with a large handfull and some calipers. I measured until I found 2 more, yea, he ended up charging me $5 a piece because of the hassle. You could buy a Hot Shims kit but I think they are kinda spendy. I dont know if this even answered your question but it was the route I took. I'm pretty sure that the 300R would use the same shims.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

There is shim kits..... but there is 2 different diameters.. ours takes the smaller diameter..... i think one is 7.**mm and the other is 9.**mm...... check out hot cams, shim kit... around 70-80$

RE: Torque specs question.
 

https://www.kawasakiforums.com/m_30635/tm.htm

good link for you guys.....

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Yeah, both you guys answered my questions. Thanks.

I hate the idea of dropping $70-$80 on a kit when I will only end up using a few of the shims. I know that I can keep them for future work, but it still is a bitter pill to swallow. I guess I will just have to plan for it and do it. Dagnabbit!

Ginsu4u, I would do what you did but I drive me bike as a commuter, so I can not take the chance that I will have problems finding the shims locally when I get her torn down. I need to have the shims in hand when I start the job.

Thanks again, Chris

RE: Torque specs question.
 

Chris you can buy only the shims you need.... like he said they are like 11-12$ a piece.... or the kit, so you know you will have everything you need.

RE: Torque specs question.
 

I didnt know what sizes I needed until I pulled and measured the ones that were already installed.

Thanks

Fyi, 12n-m = 106in-lb not 8.5.

Good catch!

12 n-m is about 8-1/2 ft-lb., too low for any ft-lb torque wrench to be accurate. So an inch-lb wrench is a must for motorcycle engine work.