Motorcycle Valve Job
Text and Pictures by Vintage Vinny
Proper valve seating is crucial to a strong-running engine.
Engine valves have three functions:
- Supply air/fuel mixture to the combustion chamber.
- Remove unwanted fumes from the combustion chamber.
- Remove unwanted heat through the seats and guides.
To do all these things effectively, valves must properly seal every time they open and close.
Disassembly And Inspection
With the head(s) removed from the motor, disassembly is straightforward. Removing the valves releases the valve springs and retainers.
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Read: Clean Carbon Off Cylinder Heads
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A valve spring compressor is necessary to remove valves. Once removed, the valves, guides, springs, and valve seats can be checked for wear and/or damage.
Check/Replace Valves
Used valves should be checked for wear, pitting, burning, and cracks. Any signs of these and you'll want to replace the valve. Look for pitting on the face, margin, and stem.
Carbon build-up is common on engine valves, but be careful when removing, you don't want to scratch the face of the valve.
Since exhaust valves run much hotter than intakes, many engine builders will replace exhaust valves automatically. This is cheap insurance against possible failure.
A magnifying lens with a large viewing area will help you check for small hairline cracks.
Check/Replace Valve Springs
Valve height affects valve train geometry and guide wear. Old valve springs can be tested and/or measured to make sure they are capable of maintaining proper pressure.
Most factory service manuals list a minimum valve spring height for re-use. A good rule of thumb is, replace old spring if there's any more than an 1/8" of difference.
Valve Spring Shims
In a non-performance motor, slightly worn valve springs may be shimmed to restore proper valve height. This is sometimes necessary when valves and seats are machined.
Check/Replace Valve Seats
If the head in question has had several valve jobs in the past, the valve seat may be "sunk" into the head. This means the top of the valve will stick out taller than the others, which alters valve train geometry.
For either of these scenarios, seat replacement is the only option.
If the valve seats are only worn slightly, they can often be be cut or ground to restore the sealing surface. This is done only after the valve guides are checked and/or replaced.
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Check/Replace Valve Guides
Valve guides need to be checked for wear. If they are worn and out of spec, they should be replaced. A cheaper option is to renew them by knurling.
Read: How To Install Valve Guides/Knurling vs Replacing
Can't I Just Lap My Valves?
Many weekend mechanics, faced with old and worn valve seats, decide to just lap the valves and reassemble the cylinder. Obviously, this is done because of time and money constraints.
Remember that valves help transfer heat out of the engine. If you decide to just lap the valves and the seat is too narrow, excess heat builds up inside the head. We all know the dangers of running hot, especially an air-cooled engine.
If the seat is too wide, you're robbing the engine of power.
At best, valve lapping will clean up very light wear on a low-mileage head. Anything more than that, lapping is not effective.
Proper Valve Seat Width
Many factory shop manuals specify an optimum seat width of .050". Some engine builders will cut them a little thinner than factory settings. This gives slightly better performance but slightly shorter life.
Reassembly
Before the old valve spring retainers and keepers are installed they should be inspected for any unusual wear. If anything looks questionable, replace it.
Note: Some cylinder heads are designed to have valve stem seals, others aren't.
The use of three-angle seats in cylinder heads has been an industry standard for decades. This is done by cutting relief angles above and below a 45 degree center contact surface.
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Aluminum Cylinder Heads
Granted, they're lighter and easier to repair than cast-iron heads, but they're also more fragile. Before rebuilding, aluminum cylinder heads need to be checked for cracks and warpage. Additional steps will then be required.
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