Knine00

iTrader: (9)

Has anyone tried this? I am about clean my valves and want to find the best way to clean them. Would this be safe?

The_Bishop

iTrader: (10)

NOOOOOO.

Gentle wire-wheeling. If there are a lot of deposits, I have had luck with soaking the valves in Pine-Sol overnight.

Scotch-brite is abrasive, moreso than a wire wheel, and can damage the seating surface. Scotch-brite on the valve stem is bad news, too.

Decadence75

iTrader: (17)

Soak them in a concentrated degreaser overnight and if there is anything left on it after that some brake cleaner and a good rag.

Gunslinger09

Yep.

You can get carb parts cleaner in gallon paint cans that have a wire basket inside. Load the basket up with the valves and soak over night and call it done. I wouldn't risk messing up the face of the valve or the stem by doing that.

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

Valves are hard, just use a wire wheel in your bench grinder

Knine00

iTrader: (9)

Wire wheel wont hurt the angles?

Gunslinger09

Nope.

The wire is softer than the steel of the valve.

Knine00

iTrader: (9)

So I wont have to lap the valves? Also, will a brass wire wheel work?

RonSSNova

iTrader: (3)

If all you have is brass, sure. And as was said, it won't hurt the valve face. I've even looked at them with a microscope....

Light lapping is a good idea no matter what, unless it's a fresh valve job.

Ron

xRaTeD

Looks safe to me i wouldn't do the stem though lube with the red pad has got so be equal to 600 grit

JudgeGuns

iTrader: (1)

lol

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

depending on how cautious you want to be, they sell a decent sonic cleaner at Harbor Freight now for like $80. I've seen people use it to clean guns and it works well.

Pony Exp.305

iTrader: (6)

agree with Thunderstruck said..

s14kouki

iTrader: (2)

Buy new ones =D j/p man. Just leave them soak in a heavy duty degreaser overnight and clean them with a rag in the am.

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

I dial my valve cleaning like that, except I use a drill press instead...as long as you are confident enough to stay off the seat it's not a problem. Also tape the stems up with a few layers of thick masking tape so you don't mar the surface of the stem....I like to start with emery cloth or 120 grit and then work my way up to 320 or so...I would stay away from a wire wheel though, I've never tried it to disprove it but I won't be trying that anytime soon...

KCS

iTrader: (20)

I've used the wire wheel, works just fine, especially for the OEM valves. With the aftermarket stuff I'll even chuck them up in a drill and use green scotchbrite afterwards to polish them up a little bit.

It's important to clean the seat face really well and inspect for any pitting or nicks. It wouldn't hurt to take them to the machine shop to grind in a new seat and tip in the valve stem.

speer13

The method done in the video is fine. It was done on Titanium valves which come standard in those race bikes but would work for all, pro-circuit kawi is a top team won multiple championships and I can't see them doing something that would hurt performance of their bikes.... plus people remember our valves are high grade steel, stainless, inconel or titanium not a soft material likealuminum so using a soft wire wheel or scotchbrite pad is not going to hurt them if done carefully. As others have said inspect the valve seat area after it all anyway to be sure and run it..... I have seen and done far worse to valves at the track in a 1500hp racecar to make a round and end up fine...

Knine00

iTrader: (9)

Thanks guys. Wire wheel worked great. I lapped the valves just for security!

redtan

iTrader: (5)

Man what kind of gunk do you guys have on your valves that you need to do all that harsh cleaning on wire wheels? If so, you got bigger problems on your hand than how to clean the valves.

Maybe it was just me, but my valves were almost spotless when I took them off after 98k miles. A 2 minute soak in brake cleaner and a light wipe with a rag and they were shiny again.

RockinWs6

The quick cleaning method in the video was perfect, I'd do it.