I have a 03 636 that seems to me loud valve noise. I have only heard two kawasaki's they both sound about the same. I'm just wondering if anybody else out there wonder the same thing. I have not done any valve adjustments or anything. Matter of fact I think the owners manual states 15,000 miles before adjustment. I now have about 9,000 on the bike. I'm the only owner. The bike was broke in according to the owners manual. Any input or advice would be great. It's very agravating!!

 

I hear some valve clatter on my ZRX but I have adjusted them so its probably my goof up. 15000mi for valve checks seems high but its possible.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

At the 600 mile break in service did they do a valve cheak/adjustment if needed. They are usualy off some after break in and if it wasnt done then you should have it done now. It is pretty easy to do if you get the service manual and some feeler gauges. But you might have to wait a week or 2 for the shims you need if any are off and you have to order them from the dealer.

 

Thanks c10. I did have them checked. They told me that they were fine. Maybe I"ll get a repair manual and Check them mysef. You know how some shops are. What Manual is a good one?

 

Get the genuine Kawasakia manual. Glad I could help

 

If the valves are ticking then the valve clearance is to wide. There is also a posibility that your not useing a thick enoph oil. My self not haveing any exper with the newer bikes it might just be a normal accurance. I do know this for a fact, that the valve check/adjustment is to see if the valves have gotten any tighter. After so much normal wear and tear on the engine the vales will "seat" and make them tighter, thats why the 600 mile check up after break in. In retro spect, check the valve clearance and I bet that if any thing they will be lose, if there in tolerance then leave them be. If not, unless your prepared to pull the cam on your 03, let a machanic do the adjustments.

 

Thanks alot. I've been noticing this about the whole time I've had the bike.

 

I leave the valve adjustments to the pro's. the guy at my dealer is real cool, I hang out there and shoot the **** with him every now and then.. he has told me that the valves are kinda tricky.. and if you don't do them all the time it even harder..
I noticed my valves getting a little louder than normal (the zx6 is kinda loud) at about 13000 miles I gave it to him and he checked and swapped a few shims around.. all better and only charged me $90 he said it would have been less but the boss would have bitched at him

 

I wish we had a cool shop like that around here!!!!!!!!! It seems everybody wants to take you for a ride here.