1994 XJ600s Valve Adjusting and Gas Octane

Hey everyone,

So when I purchased my bike, the PO told me that the valves needed to be adjusted. Just wondering if you guys could let me know if what is going on is typical of a valve adjustment needed.

When I first start the engine up, there is a constant clicking/tapping, at about a rate of about 3-4 per second. But once the engine warms up, the tapping goes away. It only takes about 5-10 minutes before the noise goes away.

The other thing, the PO told me to run Premium gas (91octane where I live). Is this an optimal octane to be running, or should I just be running low grade (85 octane w 10% ethanol...I live at 5300ft)? I've searched everywhere about my model, and can't find anywhere that says what octane to use. I can justify the high grade just because when a tank costs sub-$10, and 3 gallons are purchased, its a difference of like 50 cents.

 

Sound coming from the top end of the motor speeding up as the engine does, then yep, sounds like valves need adjustment. The good news is that it is fairly easy to check the clearances on the valves and not too hard to adjust them. I'd get a manual and the tools first!

As for the gas, I always run the high octane in mine, not sure if it makes a difference but better safe than sorry.

And about the high altitudes I am not sure. I dont have any problems with my bike when I go up to Crestline occasionally, (about 4700 feet) but I have heard of people having to re-jet their carbs one size for high altitudes. Affects the gas mileage quite noticably as I've read.

 

Well, I am already getting 55mpg (based off an average of 5 tanks so far all filled at same station, same pump, and letting the auto-shutoff click off once and then stopping filling up), so I doubt I could get any better than that by rejetting the carbs, but if its possible...it might be worth it eventually.

 

Put a new set of Plugs in the Bike.
Get 20 Hours on them and do a Plug Read.

If it looks like they're OK after some time on them ... don't do anything.
If they are a little too dark with that thin air you can back-off the Pilot Mixture Screws a couple of degrees.

At this juncture ... if the Bike is running good ... worry about the Valves and go for the fine-tuning ... later!