The last post included online research on getting into the C14 to resolve an oil leak and check the valves. Inline four cylinder engines are a nightmare for valve checks with everything buried deep in the bike between the frame and lots of valves to check. Getting into this has me dreaming of a Moto Guzzi or BMW with sticky outie cylinders that make this sort of regular maintenance easy. On the upside, the C14 only needs the valves checked every 25k or so.Of course those twin options don't have anything like the performance of the 1400GTR. I had to remind myself that this is a performance machine. I enjoy being on the fastest thing in a hundred kilometers and you have to put some time in on it to keep it purring.
The Concours Owners Group is well worth connecting with if you find yourself with-Concours (I joined and got the t-shirt). You get gems like this from COG's tech pages. Corrections to the shop manual - pretty handy!
First time valve check:
"The job is not difficult but is tedious and no short cuts are advised." - indeed.
Shims: https://fortnine.ca/en/pro-x-valve-shim-refill about $15 each (!)
9.48mm diameter shims
Can't buy them at the dealer which leads many people to wonder how the dealer does valve adjustments (or if they just say they do) when a job like this can cost well over a grand with 8+ hours in it.
Valve Clearance Check Video #1 from Moto-Resto Machine & Repair on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RvQjEvCSGvI?si=L56j3YAc2c4cIye7
Keep the slider handy to dodge around how his dog is doing or when he's going to get groceries and you get the whole process.
Chattier and off topic more than I like in a video, but he does get into the thing. Valve cover comes out the right side after removing a f**ton of bits and pieces. Bag 'em and tag 'em indeed! Looks like the radiator and fuel tank don't go anywhere (you access the top of the engine from the sides).
Lots of people saying it's time consuming but not difficult. Pace yourself and stay organized seems to be the most common advice.
- do this in stages
- don't rush
- take notes and many photos so you have an outside chance of getting it back together again
- have a big sheet to put bits on
- have ziplocks and a marker handy - bag 'em and tag 'em
- first time is likely 10+ hours, second time is half that, but after the first one they seldom go out again (!)
I'm OK if this is the only time I ever do this on a C14. 😊
Other Concours 14 Engine Technical details:
Items ZG1400CA ∼ CD, ZG1400DA
Spark Plug NGK CR9EIA-9
Cylinder Numbering Method Left to right, 1-2-3-4
Firing Order 1-2-4-3
Valve Timing:
Inlet:
Open 17° (BTDC)
Close 75° (ABDC)
Duration 272°
Exhaust:
Open 52° (BBDC)
Close 22° (ATDC)
Duration 254°
Lubrication System Forced lubrication (wet sump with cooler)
Engine Oil:
Type API SG, SH, SJ, SL, or SM with JASO MA, MA1 or MA2
Viscosity SAE10W-40
Capacity 4.7 L (5.0 US qt)
Adjustment Shims
Thickness Part Number Mark
1.750 92180-1212 –25
1.775 92180-0221 –23
1.800 92180-1211 –20
1.825 92180-0222 –18
1.850 92180-1210 –15
1.875 92180-0223 –13
1.900 92180-1209 –10
1.925 92180-0224 –8
1.950 92180-1208 –5
1.975 92180-0225 –3
2.000 92025-1870 0
2.025 92180-0209 3
2.050 92025-1871 5
2.075 92180-0210 8
2.100 92025-1872 10
2.125 92180-0211 13
2.150 92025-1873 15
2.175 92180-0212 18
2.200 92025-1874 20
2.225 92180-0213 23
2.250 92025-1875 25
2.275 92180-0214 28
2.300 92025-1876 30
2.325 92025-0215 33
2.350 92025-1877 35
2.375 92025-1058 38
2.400 92025-1878 40
2.425 92025-1982 43
2.450 92025-1879 45
2.475 92025-1983 48
2.500 92025-1880 50
2.525 92025-1984 53
2.550 92025-1881 55
2.575 92025-1985 58
2.600 92025-1882 60
2.625 92180-1059 63
2.650 92025-1883 65
2.675 92180-1194 68
2.700 92025-1884 70
2.725 92180-1195 73
2.750 92025-1885 75
NOTE There are two kinds of marks [A] [B] in the shim.
