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3500 Mile Valve Adjustment...Wow!

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Lennstang

Lennstang

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Joined
Mar 13, 2026
Messages
60
Location
Webster NH
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2022 BMW R18B 1800 PREMIUM
Yesterday I decided to adjust my valves at 3500 miles on the clock. My bike is a 22 bagger and new to me this spring. I bought it with 2900 miles on the clock. What led me to this was the clicking and clattering I was hearing under the valve covers. Some people mentioned it could be just a fuel injectors. Believe me it wasn't. I started with the left cylinder. I watched a video real quick on how to do it and it was actually very easy. I couldn't believe how far out of adjustment the intake valves were. The spec I believe is .13mm to .21mm. I had over .45mm of valve lash. Just crazy how far of adjustment they were. The previous owner had kept a log and in his log he had brought it in for its first service where the dealership claimed they did a valve adjustment. There's no way they did a valve adjustment. Surprisingly the exhaust valves weren't too far out of spec. The right side was not as bad but still way out of spec on the intake valves. The exhaust valves were spot on and I didn't have to touch them. I took it for a short ride after and I immediately notice how much smoother the engine was. Definitely less vibration and smoother power delivery. I highly recommend if you haven't looked at your valves in a while that you do so especially if you have a low mileage bike. Most of the wear happens in the first 2000 miles. After the engine is broken in, the valve clearance should be much better.
 

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Lennstang said:
Yesterday I decided to adjust my valves at 3500 miles on the clock. My bike is a 22 bagger and new to me this spring. I bought it with 2900 miles on the clock. What led me to this was the clicking and clattering I was hearing under the valve covers. Some people mentioned it could be just a fuel injectors. Believe me it wasn't. I started with the left cylinder. I watched a video real quick on how to do it and it was actually very easy. I couldn't believe how far out of adjustment the intake valves were. The spec I believe is .13mm to .21mm. I had over .45mm of valve lash. Just crazy how far of adjustment they were. The previous owner had kept a log and in his log he had brought it in for its first service where the dealership claimed they did a valve adjustment. There's no way they did a valve adjustment. Surprisingly the exhaust valves weren't too far out of spec. The right side was not as bad but still way out of spec on the intake valves. The exhaust valves were spot on and I didn't have to touch them. I took it for a short ride after and I immediately notice how much smoother the engine was. Definitely less vibration and smoother power delivery. I highly recommend if you haven't looked at your valves in a while that you do so especially if you have a low mileage bike. Most of the wear happens in the first 2000 miles. After the engine is broken in, the valve clearance should be much better.
Click to expand...
I believe the valve gap specification is 0.2 mm - 0.3 mm; I typically shoot for 0.25mm, see below image with specification in reference to temperature. Always best to let the engine cool off over night..

Screenshot_20260625-122105.png
 
Keep in mind slightly loose valve adjustment is far better than too tight! Doing/having it correctly adjusted is the ideal. Do it yourself if you wish. But if you bring your bike to a dealer and say check valve adjustment, its likely they will.
 
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