In your message dated: Sat, 28 Jul 2001 23:57:08 MDT,
The pithy ruminations from Brandon on
<Re: valve seal replacement?> were:
=> > OK, my bike has 53K+ miles, and the oil consumption is getting annoying.
=>
=> <snip>
=>
=> Hi Mark,
=>
=> A long time ago, it seems that I looked into this issue. As I recall,
=> without great clarity, it seems that there had been a remark from Yamaha
=> (engineers), that the engine was designed to use a small amount of oil
=> at mid to high rpms, 5000+. The reason was to protect the bearing
=> surfaces and the piston walls from premature wear. I don't know if that
=> is true or not, but my bike consumes oil just like yours and has done so
=> from day one.
My bike has always used oil, but the amount is increasing, and that's what I
really object to.
=>
=> I believe it to be normal and many of the listers have mentioned it
=> also. Is it the truth? I have no way of knowing. Is it a PITA? Sure. Can
=> it and should it, be corrected or fixed? Hummm....I know this isn't much
=> help, per se, but I don't really know.
Whether it's designed in or not, a little oil consumption is fine with me. I
don't consider a quart over 1000 miles of moderate/hard riding to be a
reasonably small amount. It's a pain to carry that much oil, or often be
looking for places that sell good synthetic oil, and it's a pain to add oil 2
or 3 times in a weekend of good riding, and it's not environmentally friendly.
=>
=> What if you fixed the consumption problem and then the engine were to
=> sieze? Because it was designed to operate otherwise. I donno. But I
=> would have to admit, I sure would like to NOT use oil on 'spirited'
=> rides and long distance, uh...high speed runs. Really, I would.
I don't think that putting in new (Yamaha stock) valve seals should cause the
engine to seize because of oil starvation!
=>
=> But if your shop said that they could do it, I'd be interested to see
=> the results. And how much of a difference it makes. But let us know,
=> inquiring minds want to know! :^)
I'll certainly let the list know whatever I end up doing.
Mark
=>
=> Brandon
=>
