I have a suzuki bandit 1200 (2001) and I think it needs a valve adjustment. The engine is tapping at idle and while riding but I cant stop riding long enough to get it fixed. All the shops I checked with are booked for a week. Will I make the engine worst by riding it like this?
I own a 1998 Bandit 1200S. These bikes have inherently noisy valves. As has already been said, loose is much better than tight. You can run with loose valves for a while without any major damage resulting (unless the screw comes out of the rocker and lodges in an oil passage...very rare) If you don't hear a clicking then the valves are tight and major damage can occur. The Bandit does not have shim under/over bucket. The valves can be adjusted with a $10 tool from Suzuki (or one can be made for a couple of bucks). I adjusted my own, as a novice mechanic, and it isn't that difficult however you should synch the carbs after the service which requires a $30 - $100 set of gauges. Don't forget the feeler gauges either. Along with the Suzi tool, Guages and new gaskets from Suzuki you should have a shop manual or haines manual that will describe the process as well as appropriate tools like a torque wrench. This can also be time consuming for a beginner with many pit falls along the way and you have to measure with the engine cold, that means at least 24 hours since the last start up. The long and the short...You can ride it for a while and (most likely) will not have a problem.
Noisy valves are better than quiet ones. Quiet means the valves are not fully closing, and exhaust gases will squeeze out the intake and exhaust ports causing burning of the valve seats. Shouldn't hurt too much to ride it until it's convenient for you. Keep an ear out, if it starts to get louder or somehow changes suddenly, you'll probably want to take it in right away.
Drop off the tapping bandit at the shop. The adjustment will be made and presto back in business. Dont't be silly look around for an independent garage owner that will do it for $50 instead of the $200 the dealer will charge. What do you mean---can't stop riding long enough. Blow the tapping in to a big thump and you might end up hospitalized---cause it broke.
I have an 83 gs and have cam end play at idle.If you dont push it hard it will be fine.I would rather hear the valves than not.Too tight and it will not idle and also be hard to start.Loose is better in this case.As long as it had the first valve adjument yo should be ok.Look at your manual or call the dealer to see what the valve clearance adjustment intervals are.
