how to adjust the valves on my 03 gz- 250 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

fossilman1973 · 08-22-2007, 03:46 PM

have all the tools in the world just need some knowledge. and how to know if your clutch is adjusted correctly. do i just have to feel it or what.

mtalicarox · 08-22-2007, 04:07 PM

from your other post and this one my suggestion would be bring it to your mechanic.. if you dont have the knowledge you shouldn't try to do stuff that could hurt your bike more.. either that or study up for a few weeks then try the stuff yourself, if you don't know how to do it.. don't hurt your bike more.

fossilman1973 · 08-22-2007, 04:36 PM

i didnt know whether it was hard to do or not. i know on a 4 cycle mower engine not to hard but that is why i asked first, cause this is not a mower we are talkin bout.

appreciate it.

Easy Rider · 08-22-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossilman1973

have all the tools in the world just need some knowledge. and how to know if your clutch is adjusted correctly. do i just have to feel it or what.

Get a shop manual before you jump in adjusting the valves. A slight ticking sound is probably normal and certainly can wait until you get the book so you can do it right.

Start the clutch cable adjustment with NO free play at all; that is, if you apply light pressure to the lever, it doesn't move at all. Then back off the adjustment until it does move slightly with light pressure. Either the owners or shop manual will tell you the recommended slack; I look for 1-2 mm where the lever "breaks", near the pivot point.

fossilman1973 · 08-22-2007, 04:49 PM

do you think that is what is causing the slight catching of the gears during shifting or something more . the clutch adjustment that is.

thanx

mtalicarox · 08-22-2007, 04:51 PM

are you shifting softly? a motorcycle is meant to be rough and tough man, you really gotta kick it into gear.. with authority.. if you're sissy shifting it, that could cause them to catch slowly.. you really need to describe your problem better to get a better answer, could be a number of things

fossilman1973 · 08-22-2007, 05:02 PM

it feels like it is hard to get it to go from gear to gear, no matter whether i shift hard or softly. but it could just be nothing, you gotta remember i have never rode any other bike to compare it to. it just feels like it is grabby going it to gear, not shifting smoothly, seems to be worse than it was when i got it. maybe not. like the gears are touching while you are shifting maybe i dont know. i am trying to explain it, no big deal if i dont get an answer i am going to take it by the shop and have the valves adjusted so i can ask them i just thought maybe someone would know what it was.

**Clint** · 08-22-2007, 05:12 PM

Adjusting valves isn't tough. It usually involves removing enough of the bike to pull the valve covers, then using a screw adjuster to set lash. I agree with ER that you need a manual. I'm experienced with car and bike work and I still don't go without one. There are too many ways to break things otherwise. Unfortunately, I don't see a Clymer available for that bike. You may have to pony up for a factory service manual ($50-60).

fossilman1973 · 08-22-2007, 05:37 PM

the valve cover is easy already had it off just to take a peek, in there to see what i could see.

but i will wait and have someone take a look.

but you think that could be my ticking problem, maybe???

Easy Rider · 08-22-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossilman1973

do you think that is what is causing the slight catching of the gears during shifting or something more . the clutch adjustment that is.

Well, yes. That is why I mentioned it.

Did anybody mention "Check the oil level"?
Low or old oil can cause hard shifting.

Easy Rider · 08-22-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fossilman1973

but you think that could be my ticking problem, maybe???

Yes. But it may not be a problem. On a small, quiet bike like that you WILL hear some valve noise........and probably a little transmission whine too, at certain speeds. I hear both on mine (2006).

fossilman1973 · 08-23-2007, 08:13 AM

thanks for all the help you guys.

mtalicarox · 08-23-2007, 12:01 PM

i think the main point you can learn from this post on this forum right here is - don't freak out over your bike, they're machines, they make noises. if you have performance issues, or hear a noise you really shouldn't.. you'll know it... cause your bike will stop working.

08-22-2007, 03:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	how to adjust the valves on my 03 gz- 250 have all the tools in the world just need some knowledge. and how to know if your clutch is adjusted correctly. do i just have to feel it or what.

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08-22-2007, 04:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
mtalicarox Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 (Blue/White) Location: Hopkinton MA Posts: 647	from your other post and this one my suggestion would be bring it to your mechanic.. if you dont have the knowledge you shouldn't try to do stuff that could hurt your bike more.. either that or study up for a few weeks then try the stuff yourself, if you don't know how to do it.. don't hurt your bike more.

08-22-2007, 04:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	i didnt know whether it was hard to do or not. i know on a 4 cycle mower engine not to hard but that is why i asked first, cause this is not a mower we are talkin bout. appreciate it.

08-22-2007, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	do you think that is what is causing the slight catching of the gears during shifting or something more . the clutch adjustment that is. thanx

08-22-2007, 04:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
mtalicarox Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 (Blue/White) Location: Hopkinton MA Posts: 647	are you shifting softly? a motorcycle is meant to be rough and tough man, you really gotta kick it into gear.. with authority.. if you're sissy shifting it, that could cause them to catch slowly.. you really need to describe your problem better to get a better answer, could be a number of things

08-22-2007, 05:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	it feels like it is hard to get it to go from gear to gear, no matter whether i shift hard or softly. but it could just be nothing, you gotta remember i have never rode any other bike to compare it to. it just feels like it is grabby going it to gear, not shifting smoothly, seems to be worse than it was when i got it. maybe not. like the gears are touching while you are shifting maybe i dont know. i am trying to explain it, no big deal if i dont get an answer i am going to take it by the shop and have the valves adjusted so i can ask them i just thought maybe someone would know what it was.

08-22-2007, 05:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	the valve cover is easy already had it off just to take a peek, in there to see what i could see. but i will wait and have someone take a look. but you think that could be my ticking problem, maybe???

08-23-2007, 08:13 AM	#12 (permalink)
fossilman1973 Newbie Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 suzuki gz-250 Location: hot springs ar Posts: 24	thanks for all the help you guys.

08-23-2007, 12:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
mtalicarox Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 (Blue/White) Location: Hopkinton MA Posts: 647	i think the main point you can learn from this post on this forum right here is - don't freak out over your bike, they're machines, they make noises. if you have performance issues, or hear a noise you really shouldn't.. you'll know it... cause your bike will stop working.

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