Tight valves - safe to commute while waiting for parts?

So I finally got around to checking my valves today. I've been trying to get my 82 xj650 running reliably and think I'm pretty close. It's sluggish at low RPMs and takes a while to drop back down to idle. Before syncing though, I had to check my valves.

Man, they were really out of whack. I had an exhaust valve as tight as .127mm (spec: .16 - .2) and an intake at .08 (spec .11 - .15).

My question is, I don't have the holder tool to see what shims I have installed so I have to wait for that. Then I have to order the new shims and wait for those. In the meantime, would my bike be safe to ride--gently--to work for a week or two tops? I only ride about 12 miles one way on surface streets only. I HAVE been riding it around, but it definitely wasn't running great. I don't want to burn a valve, but I also want to ride (also, riding the bus takes twice as long--ugh)!

Thanks for the advice.

 

That's not bad. I had the same situation late last fall. Did the measurements, and had an intake at .06 and .09. Then I ordered the holder tool, and by then it was too cold to ride.

Well... on the CO Front Range there's always nice days in winter, so I rode it from time to time (also 12 mile commute to work) until last week when I tore her apart for the shim removal. It's hard to stop riding and take stuff apart.

The right sizes are on order just today. Hopefully shipping tomorrow! Chacal!

 

why not use a copper wire or a zip tie to check the shims, figure out what you need and order it all at once?
i'll get smacked around for this but you don't need to set the valves before you sync, granted you will have to do it again after you set the valves, but if you do it now you'll see improvement.
you've been riding it, just take it easy

 

I hadn't thought about that--I'll check out the zip tie method. I'm just excited to go enjoy some of the great riding weather we've been having in nor cal (though I'll try to go easy).

Thanks for the tips.

 

Order the tool from here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000OO ... 6V8HX49NY4


Len is the man but this way you can get the tool shipped for free and its real cheap too. I got mine in 3 days.

Then you can get your shims from Len and all will be good!

 

If you buy it from Len you'll probably have the tool in 2-3 days. If you buy if from Amazon it might get processed and shipped in 3 days add another 3-5 in the mail... In the time it takes you to get your tool from Amazon you can buy the tool from Len, wait for it to come, use it, order your shims, wait for them to come and install them. Len is the man when it comes to speedy delivery.

 

Replacement shims are usually one of the few things for XJs you can actually find at local bike shops, maybe call around first if you're in a hurry