Suzuki Volusia Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

C50 Valve Gap Adjustment - Done!

2 reading
Jump to Latest
10K views 10 replies 6 participants last post by  Volusia G  
V
#1 ·
Wow was that tough. Don't know if I'd have done it myself if I knew everything that would be involved. My bike was running like crap after I got back from LA. Figured it was time for the 7500 mile maintenance and I figured I could do it myself. So far so good. I took a lot of pictures while I was at work and took notes along the way. I'm trying to put a guide together for myself for future work.

I think the C50 is a little different than a Vol for this task. I had to remove the air plenum (the rubber tube that goes from the airbox to the throttle body) and the radiator to get to the front exhaust valves. It took some thinkin' but I got it done.

My rear exhaust valves were really tight. The rear intake valves were tight but probably within the thin end of the specs. I adjusted them also. The fronts were all good except for one exhaust valve that was just a little too tight.

Got the whole bike back together, including new coolant and an oil change (didn't change the filter this time but will from now on with each oil change). Bike runs much smoother now. Good idle speed and it sounds great, EXCEPT...

It is ticking really loud now. Is this normal for a C50? Maybe my valves were always so tight that the ticking was quieter or didn't exist. Anyway let me know what you think about the really loud ticking.

And all you C50 guys out there, stand warned now about the valve adjustment. I'll get my howto together soon.
 
J
#2 ·
Anxiously awaiting your guide. Way to getter done! I should be at 7500 by the end of the month after a trip. Best of all possible worlds would be someone watching me who's done it before. Next best would be to pay the service department if they would let me watch them. I'd really like to be able to do it myself, but it does look like it takes patience the first time alone. Way to go!!

As far as the ticking sound, someone will know better, but I'm under the impression it's better to hear it than not. Should sound like an angry sewing machine. Now that I have cruzers, it's harder to hear the engine. My bike's running great right now, so I'm not in a rush till it gets closer to 7500. At 5700 now, and will have 2000 more on in a week.
 
R
#3 ·
Sounds very much like my first valve adjustment. I had to get rid of the pair valve tubes in order to get to everything. Had to remove the radiator also, and wound up replacing the coolant. Now that the pair valve tubes are gone adjusting the valves is much easier.

The loud ticking is normal for properly adjusted valves.

Edit: My bike is an '03 Volusia, 20,000 miles, 3 valve adjustments to date...
 
R
#5 ·
R said:
Sounds very much like my first valve adjustment. I had to get rid of the pair valve tubes in order to get to everything. Had to remove the radiator also, and wound up replacing the coolant. Now that the pair valve tubes are gone adjusting the valves is much easier.

The loud ticking is normal for properly adjusted valves.

Edit: My bike is an '03 Volusia, 20,000 miles, 3 valve adjustments to date...
Click to expand...
Some ticking is normal. Too much ticking and the valve adjustment is too loose.

Don't remove the radiator to get to the front cover bolts. I made a wrench to get to the left front bolt, but others have used ratcheting box end wrenches.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
V
#6 ·
How do you know if the ticking is too loud?

I sat out in the garage and listened to the engine for awhile. As I reved the engine to around where I thought the rpms were at during normal driving, the ticking was drowned out by other engine noise and the exhaust noise. If the valves were too loose, would the ticking get louder as I reved?

By the way, the throttle response was good, nice and smooth and so is the idle.

Is there a recording somewhere that has what a normal engine sounds like? I'd really like to know what an angry sewing machine sounds like.
 
#8 ·
Hey Volusia G... not so sure how you can get the guide out to folks but I'm looking to tackle my first C50 valve adjustment this weekend so send me out a copy please!


Thanks!

EDIT: removed email address.
 
R
#10 ·
It's much easier to remove the throttle body than the radiator (one screw and it lifts right off) and gives plenty of clearance for the front cylinder (at least it did on my C50).

Just thought I'd throw that out there, as it will likely save some of you a little work.
 
Suzuki Volusia Forum
posts
2.6M
members
34K
Since
2002
A forum community dedicated to Suzuki Volusia and Boulevard C50 motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
General Motorcycle Discussion Custom Mods Schedule a Ride HELP! New Member Introductions