CRF's Only Forums

So because of my previous post dealing with my small shims its time to start thinken of complete top end rebuild. Now I know that many of you run Stainless Valves. But my question is (and this may have already been asked) Are you giving anything when you switch to stainless. I would think that maybe the seats would be subject to wear instead of the valve itself??? I would rather replace valves (which i can do myself with time and guidance) instead of having to have head work done. Anybody really no the pros and cons of this decision??? again if this has been asked elsewhere just point my dumb#$% in that direction.

That's not dumb at all bud.
From what I've read and heard, folks that have stainles valves can't feel any difference at all, so I sure wouldn't hesitate to use them.
I've never heard of anyone starting out with new or properly cut seats along with new valves,stainless or stock, later reporting they needed seats.
I think the key thing is new valves AND new or re-cut seats. Doug

I think you will be very happy switching over the SS valves. I ran Ti's in 02 and 03, I shimmed my valves (had to) 4 times a season. Then in 04 I installed the kibblewhite black diamond kit... I couldn't feel any difference in performance at all, and the thing is that year I didn't have to shim my valves once!!! But its up to you!

Well really im not concerned at all about power loss this bike wears me out as it is with the performance mods I have on it now. I actually probably wouldnt mind if it did tame it a little. Really what I am concerned the most about is that, yes i may not have to shim the valve but i may have to do some other sort of maintenance instead of shimming the valves, which would be cheaper than any of the alternatives that i can think of. BUT in light of what i have been reading it sounds like stainless for me. Anyway still if anyone has experienced any sort of drawback aside from the debated power issue id love to hear about it.

-Evan

There is no real drawback for us amateurs. Stainless or titanium, you may need to cut the seats regardless. It all depends on how you stay on top of the shimming. With the titanium stuff, my seats were damaged.

I went through the OEM ti valves in a season and a half. I had to shim about 4 times before complete replacement was necessary. All 4 seats needed to be cut, the exhausts being a "touch-up". The stainless stuff has lasted me one full season and they are exactly as I set them after the one-ride recheck. (After install of any valvetrain parts, a re-check should be performed after one ride. They settle in and may need shimming a little.)

Go stainless. You won't notice a difference in performance. You will get many times over in durability. Take it from me, I run the snot out of this thing!

Take it from me, I run the snot out of this thing!

I'll be going the stainless route Wolverine ,you obviously have this valve train thing down and I'll be following your lead.
Who'd you have cut your seats ? Doug

There is a local shop here in Waterford, MI. "Upstairs" is Dave Bowman's Small Engine Displacement and "downstairs" is Tech-Care Suspension. Dave, for the most part, is a stand-up guy and is willing to personally help with things. His shop has done all my suspension work and there engine guys know these things inside/out. I like being able to drop my stuff off to the guy doing the work and ask 'how did it go?'...

They also sponsor a lot of the "local fast guys" and race events here in D-14. Dave is still a +40 fast guy.

www.tech-care.com

Thanks, I'll get ahold of those guys when it's time ! Doug

SOLD!