[MMRanch]

I was surprised to find how tight the valves were when I took the cover off them today.

The intakes (all 4 of them) had "NO" movement with the engine stone cold and the exaust (all 4 of them) only had a barely feel able play.     This is the first time I've had the valve cover off .

The two Meteors (350+650) I have now are the second and third "New" bikes I've ever had .    The first was a Guzzi ... but ... that was a totally different animal ya might say .

Could it be that the valves seated deeper into the valve seats as the engine broke-in  and  in doing so loss all the free play they had ?   
Or
The factory just didn't leave enough gap to begin with ?   
The 650 is close to a thousand miles now.

Did you other fellers find the valve gaps to be too tight ?

I put them at .10mm and .20mm  instead of  .08 and .18mm  ,   there isn't any valve noise  and the bike seems to idle in 1st gear a little stronger now (no more lugging/jerking - on flat ground).

[zimmemr]

I was surprised to find how tight the valves were when I took the cover off them today.

The intakes (all 4 of them) had "NO" movement with the engine stone cold and the exaust (all 4 of them) only had a barely feel able play.     This is the first time I've had the valve cover off .

The two Meteors (350+650) I have now are the second and third "New" bikes I've ever had .    The first was a Guzzi ... but ... that was a totally different animal ya might say .

Could it be that the valves seated deeper into the valve seats as the engine broke-in  and  in doing so loss all the free play they had ?   
Or
The factory just didn't leave enough gap to begin with ?   
The 650 is close to a thousand miles now.

Did you other fellers find the valve gaps to be too tight ?

I put them at .10mm and .20mm  instead of  .08 and .18mm  ,   there isn't any valve noise  and the bike seems to idle in 1st gear a little stronger now (no more lugging/jerking - on flat ground).

Your clearances or lack thereof is normal, and jibes with what the majority of owners have found. Once the valves have bedded in they should stabilize. I checked mine at 300 miles and all were snug. When I checked them again 6,000 only one needed any adjustment and at 12.000 miles they were right on the money. I'll peek under the cover at 18,000 and I expect they'll all still be damn close if not on spec.

[Lammy1000]

I was surprised to find how tight the valves were when I took the cover off them today.

The intakes (all 4 of them) had "NO" movement with the engine stone cold and the exaust (all 4 of them) only had a barely feel able play.     This is the first time I've had the valve cover off .

The two Meteors (350+650) I have now are the second and third "New" bikes I've ever had .    The first was a Guzzi ... but ... that was a totally different animal ya might say .

Could it be that the valves seated deeper into the valve seats as the engine broke-in  and  in doing so loss all the free play they had ?   
Or
The factory just didn't leave enough gap to begin with ?   
The 650 is close to a thousand miles now.

Did you other fellers find the valve gaps to be too tight ?

I put them at .10mm and .20mm  instead of  .08 and .18mm  ,   there isn't any valve noise  and the bike seems to idle in 1st gear a little stronger now (no more lugging/jerking - on flat ground).

Royal Enfield first valve adjust is 300 miles.  Glad to hear your 1000mile adjustment frequency did no damage.  My 1st adjust at about 280 miles showed 1 exhaust valve that would not accept a 0.002" feeler gage (the thinnest available to me).  The remaining valves were tight.  Super Met runs great with only 950 miles as it should.  The AEW pipes sound better than a harley and encourage throttle increase out of the corners just to hear the motor.

[MMRanch]

Thanks for the replies guys
...................

Lammy - are those pipes only a little Louder ?     
When I put the de-cat pipe and the performance cam on my 350 Meteor the stock muffler  note got Really Sweet !
So
I'm guessing your new pipes are De-cat ? 


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqG-tPYK5ho
.........................

zimmemr

Seeing your close to 3k post ... it seems you been here a while ! 

The Super Meteor hasn't been available more than a little while ?    That makes me wonder what other RE's you've had ? 

[Lammy1000]

Thanks for the replies guys
...................

Lammy - are those pipes only a little Louder ?     
When I put the de-cat pipe and the performance cam on my 350 Meteor the stock muffler  note got Really Sweet !
So
I'm guessing your new pipes are De-cat ? 

Yes, the aftermarket mufflers are open (no cat) and sound amazing without the baffle.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqG-tPYK5ho
.........................

zimmemr

Seeing your close to 3k post ... it seems you been here a while ! 

The Super Meteor hasn't been available more than a little while ?    That makes me wonder what other RE's you've had ?

[zimmemr]

.........................

zimmemr

Seeing your close to 3k post ... it seems you been here a while ! 

The Super Meteor hasn't been available more than a little while ?    That makes me wonder what other RE's you've had ?
[/quote]

I don't own a Super Meteor; I've got a 2020 Interceptor and a 2018 Himalayan. My first RE was a 1963 Constellation.

[Milemar]

Royal Enfield first valve adjust is 300 miles.  Glad to hear your 1000mile adjustment frequency did no damage.  My 1st adjust at about 280 miles showed 1 exhaust valve that would not accept a 0.002" feeler gage (the thinnest available to me).  The remaining valves were tight.  Super Met runs great with only 950 miles as it should.  The AEW pipes sound better than a harley and encourage throttle increase out of the corners just to hear the motor.

This is no longer in place.
Just both SM650 and spoke to them regarding first service and they are not adjusting valves at first (300 miles) service.

[AzKev]

This is no longer in place.
Just both SM650 and spoke to them regarding first service and they are not adjusting valves at first (300 miles) service.

Can confirm. When I got my Shotgun back in May, they told me that RE had just released a service memo stating that they are no longer recommending/requiring valve check and adjustment at 300 miles. I know there are a lot of strong thoughts about this, but I have decided to follow the new standard and not adjust them yet. I'm sure I will get flamed and everyone will say I really should, that they are always way too tight, it could harm the engine, etc. But if the manufacturer said that, it's good enough for me. The bike is running and sounding PERFECT now, and I'm firmly in the "if it ain't broke.." camp.

I did change the oil and filter, adjusted throttle and brake cables, inspected chain, tires, etc at 34 miles - basically did the first service myself. Again, I'm sure a lot of folks will have their opinions to offer, but, in the words of Eric Cartman: "I do whateva I want!" 😂😂😂

[MMRanch]

 

That Blue with the Yellow high-lights ... sure is a nice looking bike !   

[AzKev]

That Blue with the Yellow high-lights ... sure is a nice looking bike !   

Thank you! I thought it looked nice in reviews on YouTube, and when I saw and rode it at a demo event, I fell completely in love   I've always loved fighter jets too, so the fact that it kind of reminds me of the Blue Angels didn't hurt either lol.

[MMRanch]

AzKev

If I ever get to ride out to AZ, I'd like to look you up for a day ride of your area ! 

[AzKev]

AzKev

If I ever get to ride out to AZ, I'd like to look you up for a day ride of your area ! 

Hey MM, that would be awesome! My only advice - do NOT come during the summertime lol 😂🔥

[AbueloBill]

AzKev

If I ever get to ride out to AZ, I'd like to look you up for a day ride of your area ! 

When you do check in prior.  There are many great day and overnight rides in Arizona along with a few not-so-great ones. 

[Lammy1000]

For the 650 engine: will the valve clearance loosen or tighten with wear?

[MMRanch]

Hi Lammy1000

In my experience the valves sink into the head and close-up the valve lash.   
I know this might be called "LAZY" on my part but , I put mine on .10mm intake and .20mm exaust ... so I can skip the next adjustment cycle ... just call me guilty ! 
I'm approaching 7k-miles now and the valves still sound loose and happy ! 
..............

If the valves get tight then fuel millage will drop off a bit.  Fifty Six years of ridding and maintaining  air cool bikes . I'm averaging 64.5 mpg-usa gallons , so I know it's all "OK"