Intake valves normally wear into the seat which reduces the gap over time so best setting at max gap 0.13, Exhaust valves coke up over time which increases the gap over time so best setting at min gap 0.07. KTM shims come in 0.05 increments which really swing you from min to max but if you use Harley Vrod shims they come in 0.025 increments so you can set them more accurately. Great video , well done.
I successfully managed my first valve clearance check on my 2018 KTM 690 Enduro R. I found you video THE best. Excellent Part 1 and 2. Keep the great How To videos coming. Thanks.
I rode a KTM 690 from Portland to Ushuaia Argentina and my engine failed in Antofagasta Chile. I ended up tearing into the bike in a hotel parking lot and found the exhaust rocker bearing failed. I hear these top ends were weak and luckily had a spare rocker with me. I had it fixed the next day. Thanks for the vid! Oh, I’m on a Husqvarna 701 now.
Great video. Clear explanation & video. Lyndon Poskitt, who is quite famous for riding his 690 around the world, advises to use tighter valve clearances 0.04-0.09mm. His reasoning comes after lots of dyno testing but more importantly, he says that tighter clearances reduces the hammering effect on the cam follower bearing. This bearing failing and its pin falling out are the causes for so many rocker arm failures. If you check your valve clearances regularly, then running tighter clearances shouldn't be a problem.
Good day, could you pls give me the link to the Lyndon's article or video where he advices this, It's very interesting, would like to see it from the original source.
Glad you followed up the valve clearances. It was well worth it. Your explanation, the way you wrote up your actuals and where you needed change was done very well. Great job! 👍😁
@@Shadower75 Like Robert, Y told you in a previous video to do the valve clearance after changing the rocker arm ... it's done ! ... very good explanations, perfect job like I do! :)
Great Video. I'd be confident to give it a go myself now. Only question I have is why did you check the clearance before tightening the rocker arms down. I would have thought this would reduce your clearances? Any how, thanks for making the effort and having a go. I must investigate getting the rocker arms and replacing mine. Did you use kTM shims or did you get a harley kit. I hear the Harley kits have inbetween sizes.
Hey Andy, cheers for the comment mate. Now to try and answer your questions. Those rocker arm bolts tighten down onto the cylinder head and are independent to the rocker arms. The bolts are more to locate the rocker arm shafts. Having them nipped up tight is what I believe is enough (what i did). When you pull your bike apart you will see that the bolts run down through the rocker arm shafts and tighten on the head. I did check the clearance again after torquing the bolts and it was exactly the same as when I checked it before doing that. That's my take on it anyway. lol I used the 'Hotcam' shims, increments of 0.05. Did the job however I do believe those Harley ones have even less of a increment (0.025) so if you want to get super accurate you could I reckon. Anyway, hope this helps and again thanks for the comment dude, appreciate it.
@@Shadower75 Cheers for that. I'm at that stage where I think it's time to replace the rocker arms. I have a 2010 model with around 18000Km done so better now than letting it destroy the top end. Thanks for the effort of posting a good clear and easy to understand video. I'm out for a ride with a couple of guys who also have 690s on Sunday. they are great bikes, can't see myself getting rid of this one for a long time. It does everything I want it to.
@@valleygxl I agree with you mate. Better safe than sorry. I replaced mine at 16500 and the old felt pretty good still. Oh well I have some spares now. 690's are very cool. I've owned a few bikes now, big and small and this one certainly can do it all. Enjoy your Sunday ride mate and stay upright. Cheers
I remove the shims to measure them with a micrometer or vernier calipers, but before doing that you need to check your value clearances so you know if you need to alter your shims etc. Cheers mate.
If you have excel on your computer this is a useful calculator for shims and it also provides Harley Vrod shim part numbers. www.dropbox.com/s/kpylr0p31jzt3xu/shim_calculator_DHM.xls?dl=0
Good video, thanks! Mines done 55000km and the timing chain tensioner has failed, started to make a rattle so I found it just in time before it slipped timing
Hey Trevor, Thanks for the comment mate and info re the timing chain. I'll keep a close eye on it and will consider changing it soon. Thanks again mate.
The gaps that were 7 I don't understand why you adjusted them if anything they're going to wear down and the gaps are going to get bigger at 7 your engine was running at maximum performance
This might be a dumb question, but why did you change the gap from minimum to maximum? Wouldn't the shims/rockers/valves wear out over time increasing the gap anyway?
I actually got the answer from my local bike shop. The reason is that as the valve wears out the spring pulls it deeper into the seat, this make the valve stem lift higher, pushing the other side of the rocker lower, and that is why shims have to decrease in size over time. @@Shadower75
Thanks Crivo152, I bought a shim kit for my bike which has plenty of options however if you wanted to pull out the ones in the bike, measure them up and work out what size you need to replace them with you could only buy individual ones. The ones in the link below are the ones I bought however I didnt pay that price for them. Cheers www.ebay.com.au/itm/283984851958?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=283984851958&targetid=920055040453&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071856&poi=&campaignid=10101785192&mkgroupid=102311926980&rlsatarget=aud-786643581286:pla-920055040453&abcId=9300368&merchantid=137596996&gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxecG_Qj3KkyAKdW91ak7fToaJ_m8Rs7dfYI5Oh7qJYjbaKs0T-E1SBoCafcQAvD_BwE
Great video. Many thanks. It’s given me the confidence to have a go. Question. Where did you get that magnet? And when you put the rocker cover back on did you grease the lip?
Cheers Rob. Its not a super hard job really. Just take your time and you'll be sweet. I think I got the magnet from ebay just search Telescopic Magnetic. I didn't grease the cover rather just clean and re oil the rubber gasket that is on there. There was no grease when it was taken off. Cheers again mate and good luck.
Im not too sure Rob. I didn't have oil pour out from mine. Maybe there was oil sitting in a little pocket or something. Thanks for watching and I hope the vid helped you out a little. Cheers
Intake valves normally wear into the seat which reduces the gap over time so best setting at max gap 0.13, Exhaust valves coke up over time which increases the gap over time so best setting at min gap 0.07. KTM shims come in 0.05 increments which really swing you from min to max but if you use Harley Vrod shims they come in 0.025 increments so you can set them more accurately. Great video , well done.
Cheers Andrew, nice tip and makes sense.
thanks for the shims tip!
I successfully managed my first valve clearance check on my 2018 KTM 690 Enduro R. I found you video THE best. Excellent Part 1 and 2. Keep the great How To videos coming. Thanks.
I'm glad the vid helped you mate. Well done and thanks for the feedback. Cheers
I rode a KTM 690 from Portland to Ushuaia Argentina and my engine failed in Antofagasta Chile. I ended up tearing into the bike in a hotel parking lot and found the exhaust rocker bearing failed. I hear these top ends were weak and luckily had a spare rocker with me. I had it fixed the next day. Thanks for the vid! Oh, I’m on a Husqvarna 701 now.
Wow, what a adventure you have had there. Lucky you had a spare rocker with you. Great planning. Thanks for watching the vid.
Thanks for the good quality tutorial! Definitely feel comfortable with doing that! Not paying 600+ for dealer to do this!!!
Cheers Aleksander. Glad it will help. Have a good one.
Just replaced my rocker arms and valve/shim clearances thanks to this video- absolute legend!!
Cheers Ari.
Can I ask did my video help? Give you the confidence to do the job after seeing my video?
Great video!
Cheers Nerb, see you soon mate.
Great video. Clear explanation & video. Lyndon Poskitt, who is quite famous for riding his 690 around the world, advises to use tighter valve clearances 0.04-0.09mm. His reasoning comes after lots of dyno testing but more importantly, he says that tighter clearances reduces the hammering effect on the cam follower bearing. This bearing failing and its pin falling out are the causes for so many rocker arm failures. If you check your valve clearances regularly, then running tighter clearances shouldn't be a problem.
Hi Phil, cheers for the comment and feedback mate. Lyndon certainly knows the in's and out's of a 690. Have a good one mate.
Good day, could you pls give me the link to the Lyndon's article or video where he advices this, It's very interesting, would like to see it from the original source.
I learnt something today, thanks very much, I was dreading this job but you made it look much easier.
Good to hear Steve. Im stoked my video has helped fellow bikers. It's really not that hard.
Hopefully it works out well for you mate. Cheers
Glad you followed up the valve clearances. It was well worth it. Your explanation, the way you wrote up your actuals and where you needed change was done very well. Great job! 👍😁
Cheers Robert, glad you liked it and you understood my explanation. Always get nervous no one would understand what I mean. :)
Now you done it once, removing it again was nothing.
@@Shadower75 Like Robert, Y told you in a previous video to do the valve clearance after changing the rocker arm ... it's done ! ... very good explanations, perfect job like I do! :)
Very good professor KTM sounds like there's is a lot of traffic on the Simpson
Thanks Rockbiter, Professor KTM hey. Wish I was one..lol
I do believe the Simpson will be busy. Can't wait.
Vert useful video! Thanks for Sharing your knowledge
Cheers Gabriel, glad it helps mate.
So easy to say “she’ll be right” when you realised you forgot to check the clearances.
Nice you don’t have to move the cams to get at the shims.
ahahah that's the Aussie way to say "she'll be right mate".
Yes, well designed the 690, makes the job straight forward I think.
Great Video. I'd be confident to give it a go myself now. Only question I have is why did you check the clearance before tightening the rocker arms down. I would have thought this would reduce your clearances? Any how, thanks for making the effort and having a go. I must investigate getting the rocker arms and replacing mine. Did you use kTM shims or did you get a harley kit. I hear the Harley kits have inbetween sizes.
Hey Andy, cheers for the comment mate.
Now to try and answer your questions. Those rocker arm bolts tighten down onto the cylinder head and are independent to the rocker arms. The bolts are more to locate the rocker arm shafts. Having them nipped up tight is what I believe is enough (what i did). When you pull your bike apart you will see that the bolts run down through the rocker arm shafts and tighten on the head. I did check the clearance again after torquing the bolts and it was exactly the same as when I checked it before doing that. That's my take on it anyway. lol
I used the 'Hotcam' shims, increments of 0.05. Did the job however I do believe those Harley ones have even less of a increment (0.025) so if you want to get super accurate you could I reckon.
Anyway, hope this helps and again thanks for the comment dude, appreciate it.
@@Shadower75 Cheers for that. I'm at that stage where I think it's time to replace the rocker arms. I have a 2010 model with around 18000Km done so better now than letting it destroy the top end. Thanks for the effort of posting a good clear and easy to understand video. I'm out for a ride with a couple of guys who also have 690s on Sunday. they are great bikes, can't see myself getting rid of this one for a long time. It does everything I want it to.
@@valleygxl I agree with you mate. Better safe than sorry. I replaced mine at 16500 and the old felt pretty good still. Oh well I have some spares now.
690's are very cool. I've owned a few bikes now, big and small and this one certainly can do it all.
Enjoy your Sunday ride mate and stay upright. Cheers
great video!!! thanks bro
No probs LOGAR en el mundo, glad you liked it mate.
Are you really checking your gaps in a GAP hoodie? Priceless.
Finally someone picked up on hoodie matching my job... Nice work Dave. Cheers mate
@@Shadower75 unbelievable. Just watched the video tonight at work. It only took 2 years huh?
Quality video chap 👍🏻
Cheers Peter.
My shims sit so deep in the cup that I cannot get the measurement tool to fit properly. Does this mean my valves need to be replaced?
I remove the shims to measure them with a micrometer or vernier calipers, but before doing that you need to check your value clearances so you know if you need to alter your shims etc. Cheers mate.
Thank you! Great great information. SUBSCRIBED! CHEERS!
Cheers for the sub mate. Hope the vid helped somewhat.
Might be a good idea to add the year of bikes. New bike are totally diff.
Just got to read the description on the video, says it there. Cheers
great video Shadower ! ;)
Thanks Jerome, hopefully it helped mate. Cheers
What year is your bike?
my bike is a 2015
Wish I had the ability to do this on my 2021 690 but I simply don't trust myself to attempt this. Id never get it back together.
Im not sure how different your 2021 beast would be to the my old girl but Im sure if you took your time you could do it. Cheers mate.
If you have excel on your computer this is a useful calculator for shims and it also provides Harley Vrod shim part numbers. www.dropbox.com/s/kpylr0p31jzt3xu/shim_calculator_DHM.xls?dl=0
cheers Andrew, that's a great link mate. Thanks
Good video, thanks!
Mines done 55000km and the timing chain tensioner has failed, started to make a rattle so I found it just in time before it slipped timing
Hey Trevor, Thanks for the comment mate and info re the timing chain. I'll keep a close eye on it and will consider changing it soon. Thanks again mate.
Very nicely explained Craig. I’d still rather service my CR125 though!
Cheers Steve, that CR125 must be easy mate.
The gaps that were 7 I don't understand why you adjusted them if anything they're going to wear down and the gaps are going to get bigger at 7 your engine was running at maximum performance
Thanks for watching Trev.
Good vid mate. And your engine sounds quiet!
Thanks Track Stumper, sounds quiet hey? I will have to compare it to my cousins 690. Cheers again.
This might be a dumb question, but why did you change the gap from minimum to maximum? Wouldn't the shims/rockers/valves wear out over time increasing the gap anyway?
Too tell the truth mate, i'm not sure but I think I would rather closer to maximum then minimum. Thanks for watching though. Cheers
I actually got the answer from my local bike shop. The reason is that as the valve wears out the spring pulls it deeper into the seat, this make the valve stem lift higher, pushing the other side of the rocker lower, and that is why shims have to decrease in size over time. @@Shadower75
Great work sir...
Cheers Toby.
mate thanks for this video, really did put it all together for us hobby mechanics
Hey James, glad it has helped mate. I always like working on my own bike. Cheers mate
Great video. One question... Do you have to buy the shims in the specific thickness you need, or do they come in a variety pack? Ciao, Marco.
Thanks Crivo152, I bought a shim kit for my bike which has plenty of options however if you wanted to pull out the ones in the bike, measure them up and work out what size you need to replace them with you could only buy individual ones.
The ones in the link below are the ones I bought however I didnt pay that price for them. Cheers
www.ebay.com.au/itm/283984851958?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=283984851958&targetid=920055040453&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9071856&poi=&campaignid=10101785192&mkgroupid=102311926980&rlsatarget=aud-786643581286:pla-920055040453&abcId=9300368&merchantid=137596996&gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxecG_Qj3KkyAKdW91ak7fToaJ_m8Rs7dfYI5Oh7qJYjbaKs0T-E1SBoCafcQAvD_BwE
@@Shadower75 👍🏻👍🏻
Great video. Many thanks. It’s given me the confidence to have a go. Question. Where did you get that magnet? And when you put the rocker cover back on did you grease the lip?
Cheers Rob. Its not a super hard job really. Just take your time and you'll be sweet.
I think I got the magnet from ebay just search Telescopic Magnetic.
I didn't grease the cover rather just clean and re oil the rubber gasket that is on there. There was no grease when it was taken off.
Cheers again mate and good luck.
Compared to my Desmo shim system that I’ve just done on my Ducati 1098 my ktm 690 looks easy thanks for doing the vid 👍
Cheers mate and thanks for watching. I hope this vid helped somewhat and the Desmo isn't too tricky.
Thanks great video. When I removed the plastic cover to reveal the crankshaft bolt oil poured out, is that normal?
Im not too sure Rob. I didn't have oil pour out from mine. Maybe there was oil sitting in a little pocket or something.
Thanks for watching and I hope the vid helped you out a little. Cheers
I like how you explained which shim to use to get the gap you want. It made a lot more sense than just a math formula to a dummy like me.
Cheers Mark. Im stoked it helped you mate. I'm guessing you like to keep it as simple as possible like myself. Have a good one now mate.
LOL! I see what you did, nice choice of jumper....GAP
hahahaha finally someone picked up on that... nice work Wasca.
what happens if you don't remove the plugs to rotate the crank?
I think it's harder to turn with spark plugs in but don't quote me on that. Cheers
Great video and helpful as I need to do the Rally Raid very soon. Thank you
No problem Michael. I'm glad it has helped. Cheers mate.