This old lady, I don’t know much about them fancy cars and bikes. But my grandson, he’s always tinkering with his Honda motorcycle. He talks about them “intake valves” like it’s the most important thing in the world. I heard him say “honda motorcycle intake valve dimensions” a lot. So I’m trying to figure out what that’s all about. Seems important for his bike.
That boy, he once told me, them intake valves is like the door to let the good stuff in the engine. The gasoline and air, you know. He said that the size, how big that door is, matters a lot. It’s like, if you got a tiny door, not much can get in, right? He said the size of the intake valve can make the bike go fast, or not so fast. That boy loves his speed. God help him.
He was going on and on about “millimeters” and “diameter” one day. I think he said something about 33mm? That’s about as big as my thumb nail, I reckon. And then there’s the length, how long the valve is. I remember hearing him say that the Honda Xr400 intake valve is like 105mm. My god, that’s a big valve. That boy really wants a powerful bike.
He’s always checking those valves, making sure they’re just right. He said it’s like checking if the door is closing tight. If it ain’t closing right, the engine won’t run good. Like if you leave your door open in the winter, all the heat gets out!
He showed me these shiny metal things, said they were the valves. Some are made of steel. Some are made of some fancy metal, can’t remember the name. Starts with a T, I think. He said the good ones are strong, so they don’t break easy. Important, he said, especially when the engine is running real fast. He said that if it’s not the right size, the engine will not run properly. It is very important to buy the right one. Also, it is important that the fuel and air get into the engine in the right way. Otherwise, the engine will also not run properly.
He’s always worried about the “clearance,” he calls it. Like how much space there is around the valve. It is very important to keep the right clearance. Too much, and it’s no good. Too little, and it’s also no good. Has to be just right, like Goldilocks and the porridge! These damn valves are like those damn bears, always need something specific to be happy.
- Intake valves let the gas and air into the engine.
- Exhaust valves let the bad stuff out after the boom.
- If the valves ain’t right, the engine runs like a three-legged dog.
- The size of the intake valve is very important.
I heard him talking to his friend on the phone one day. They were talking about “tuning” and “cylinder heads” and all sorts of things that went right over my head. Sounds like a lot of work just to make a motorcycle go fast. But that boy, he loves it. He’s always saying that larger valves will make it go faster. He said that if the head is for street use, then a bigger valve will not help with the airflow. I don’t know what that boy is talking about.
My grandson told me that when he bought his Honda motorcycle, he had to choose the right valve. It seems to be a very important thing. He said that the valve size of this motorcycle is different from other motorcycles. And, if you buy the wrong one, it won’t fit your motorcycle. My grandson said that the Honda motorcycle intake valve dimensions are different from other brands. So it is important to buy the correct intake valve. You have to measure them before you buy it. Or you might end up with something that doesn’t fit.
I saw him using these little tools, “feeler gauges,” he called them. He was sticking them in the engine, measuring something. I think he mentioned .12mm. Lord, that’s small! He said it had to be within a certain range, or the engine wouldn’t be happy. He also said that the factory said it is ok to resurface the valves. He doesn’t seem to agree with that. My grandson seems to know a lot of things about motorcycles.
He also told me one day that he had to shorten the valve on his motorcycle. It was too long. He had to replace the valve stem seals. He said he has a CB450, whatever that is. He’s always working on that thing.
Well, I still don’t understand all of it. But I know it’s important to my grandson. And if it’s important to him, it’s important to me. He’s a good boy, even if he does spend too much time with that darn Honda motorcycle. But hey, at least it keeps him out of trouble, right? I guess those intake valve dimensions are a big deal after all, at least to him.
This buying guide is simple. The three main things you need to know about intake valves are what kind you need, the size, and the clearance. You see, I know a little bit about these things now.
