should I start it up with less then .02 intake valve clearance?

Hello all,

I have been busy working on my Xj11oo this month. I had a few bent valves and ended up replacing the piston rings and lapping in all the valves. I just got the bike together and want to start it and ride it into the backyard.
I checked the valve clearance and all valves are a bit tight and will need new shims. But one is so tight that I can't get my smallest gage to fit, 002 min is 004. I just want to know if it would be safe to run it for a short time. Like 10 min. From what I understand the only damage that can happen is the valve could burn because it may not close all the way. Is this true?

Let me know what you think
Thanks

 

I wouldn't run it until the valves are in spec'

 

sounds like good advice I pushed it

I will tackle the valve shims in the spring and break in the engine then.

Thanks

 

Bikes CAN run with some valves not in spec.....they may not run as well, but they can still run. I bet there are people on here who have done valve shim checks and found out that some of them were out of spec and didn't know it. I know I"ve come across some, I know there are quite a few that come in to the carb clinics........but sure enough--when they take the bike out for a spin after they're back in spec, they pull back in with a big grin on the face.

If it were really as simple as 'it wouldn't run til the valves are in spec', it would be really easy!!!!--ride it til it doesn't run, then you'd know the valves are out of spec, and it's time to swap shims. Except it doesn't happen that way.....we check them at regular intervals and when a shim is finally out of spec, we swap it to put it back in spec.

I digress. .02 will be dang close to .00 as soon as thermal expansion happens. I wouldn't recommend running til you know you're back in spec, considering THAT measurement--

dave

 

Try reading the posts before replying, Hog.,

 

I did. You'll see that I'm agreeing with those that recommended that it not be run until its fixed ........

 

It looks like you took my post & changed a word.

 

Better safe than sorry. If you really want to start it you don't have to wait until spring. Putting the clearance in spec is not difficult and doesn't take long to do once you know how to do it. Xj's are stout. Correctly tuned and with a battery kept on a tender it will start in the middle of winter same as summer. That's "starting" it. Riding it in the middle of winter is another animal.

Gary H.