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ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 2:19 pm
by rotarynerdette
Well guys and gals, wish me luck. I figure if I can build a rotary I should be able to check valve clearances and if needed adjust. Going to be my first real experience working on a bike. I have the service manual for the bike and know that if the valves need adjustment I will have to get shims. I called Kawasaki just for shits and giggles and they quoted me $700-$800. I figure what better way to get acquainted with my bike with something that could end very badly. :-) Should be able to get to it on Monday/Tuesday when I am off work. I have spark plugs and valve cover gasket to install too. I will change coolant when I am kind of there. Suggestions on type of coolant to use?

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:12 pm
by fixxervi6
I use engine ice - it DOES make a big difference in this Texas heat.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:22 pm
by rotarynerdette
fixxervi6 wrote:I use engine ice - it DOES make a big difference in this Texas heat.
Thanks! It shows safe for aluminum and most metals so I will try it out.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:24 pm
by DarcShadow
Engine Ice has the added advantage of being track friendly. It's a non ethylene glycol based product so it's easier to clean up after an incident.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 3:27 pm
by rotarynerdette
DarcShadow wrote:Engine Ice has the added advantage of being track friendly. It's a non ethylene glycol based product so it's easier to clean up after an incident.
Awesome! We use water wetter in the race cars so not a bad deal at all. I was looking at the MotoCool from Motul but if Engine Ice is what is suggested I will listen. Also, I will probably end up on the track one of these days. Just not anytime soon, probably the next time I need to change the coolant.

I just ordered some should be getting it before Monday/Tuesday.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:11 pm
by milesmiles
Yep I concur

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2016 11:35 pm
by shilka99
I did a few ZX6 valve adjusts last year and have a shim kit if you need to swap some shims. No charge.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 6:24 am
by rotarynerdette
RC30rdr wrote:I did a few ZX6 valve adjusts last year and have a shim kit if you need to swap some shims. No charge.
Thank you so much :-) I will PM you once I get to that point.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:56 am
by rotarynerdette
Well I am finding more and more things that are missing or just need to be changed out due to age. Almost to checking valve checking.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 8:59 am
by rotarynerdette
More pictures

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:01 am
by fixxervi6
Those plugs look gnarly

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:58 am
by rotarynerdette
Valves have been checked! Everything is within spec! Time to go find the parts I need to get everything back together.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 9:59 am
by rotarynerdette
fixxervi6 wrote:Those plugs look gnarly
Yeah :-/

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2016 11:57 am
by shilka99
Its interesting to see your bike has the same - or similar - oil leak that a 2013 ZX-6 has that I worked on recently.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 7:44 am
by rotarynerdette
Parts arrived yesterday, when I got off work I put it all back together. Bike started and ran last night! I was going to ride to work this morning but woke up later than I expected so didn't take the time to get the bike out of the house. Tomorrow though :)

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 8:02 am
by LonestarCBR
RC30rdr wrote:Its interesting to see your bike has the same - or similar - oil leak that a 2013 ZX-6 has that I worked on recently.
I've been doing some track bike shopping, and found one that said something very similar as well that would need to be addressed on that particular bike.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 8:56 pm
by shilka99
The one i worked on had that leak before it had done 5,000 miles. The owner didnt care enough to swap out the gasket so its still leaking.
Its amazing that this issue crosses multiple generations of that model and Kawasaki still chooses to do nothing to fix it.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:09 pm
by rotarynerdette
RC30rdr wrote:The one i worked on had that leak before it had done 5,000 miles. The owner didnt care enough to swap out the gasket so its still leaking.
Its amazing that this issue crosses multiple generations of that model and Kawasaki still chooses to do nothing to fix it.
I replaced every gasket I came in contact with. I know it will probably still leak in a very short time but I did what I could.

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:29 pm
by shilka99
I'll be interested to hear how it goes. Do you use RTV on both sides of the gaskets?

Re: ZX6R valve adjustment/checking

Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2016 6:42 am
by rotarynerdette
RC30rdr wrote:I'll be interested to hear how it goes. Do you use RTV on both sides of the gaskets?
I used the gray RTV that I use for the cars. I used it one the sharp edges where it goes down around the cam so that it would seal a little better in that area. I did not RTV the whole gasket.

Bike is running a lot better now. Still needs some more TLC but I will slowly get it there. I rode to work today even though it was a brisk ride I was glad to be back out with it.