750T--Valve Cover Adjustment with Pics

[GSXR7ED]

Okay,

I talked about doing this valve adjustment since July...here are the preliminary pics...I had to stop for the moment...read on to find out what happened.









Yes, I did straighten out the points on the end...I removed the plugs to make it easier to turn.












Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

More Pics--I had to stop because the gasket I ordered was the wrong size. I'll call BoulevardSuzuki on Monday for help.








Ed

 

[wedoo2]

I need to find a good video of the whole process. Gotta do it soon.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Just do it

Just do it

I need to find a good video of the whole process. Gotta do it soon.

I was unsure of myself doing this job but a friend encouraged me then left me to do it myself. I took at least 3 hrs to remove everything and gap the valves only to find out I had the wrong gasket.

Removing the tank and then all the bolts from the cover and you will see what I have pictured. Good luck with your's.

Ed

 

[Guest]

ED, you should have called me. I've had done this to my bike several times and I have all the tools for it including the special feeler gauges. I can usually do it in about an hour now lol. Dang wrong gasket eh, no wonder you haven't called me lol. Well, I hope you get the gasket soon, the Las Cruces Toy run is this coming weekend. They are expecting 2,000+ as usual for it.

I took another look at your pics, I do believe my spare new valve cover gasket is the same as yours.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Sorry Bud

Sorry Bud

ED, you should have called me. I've had done this to my bike several times and I have all the tools for it including the special feeler gauges. I can usually do it in about an hour now lol. Dang wrong gasket eh, no wonder you haven't called me lol. Well, I hope you get the gasket soon, the Las Cruces Toy run is this coming weekend. They are expecting 2,000+ as usual for it.

I took another look at your pics, I do believe my spare new valve cover gasket is the same as yours.

I took my bike to a friend's house...he helped me a little but pretty much left it to me to gap those darn valves. I was so frustrated because I kept moving the tappet tool and every time I went to measure, I was getting mad at myself. Nevermind.

Anyway, I needed some mirrors for my "T" and Boulevard Suzuki reissued me the correct gasket, no charge. They even refunded the shipping which was cool on their part.

Here's a pic of the two different gaskets:


My bike is still in his garage but he went hiking this weekend so I didn't get a chance to work on it.

I thought you said the Toy Run was on the 30th? I'll be in LA for Thanksgiving and I don't know if I'll be ready just in case the run is this weekend.


Ed

 

[Guest]

My bike is still in his garage but he went hiking this weekend so I didn't get a chance to work on it.

I thought you said the Toy Run was on the 30th? I'll be in LA for Thanksgiving and I don't know if I'll be ready just in case the run is this weekend.


Ed[/QUOTE]

Nope, this weekend, the 24th. Thing is weather isn't looking to promising for out of towners caming in, maybe from El Paso. Guess we'll see if it changes by Sat. I know we have one nasty day for a run, was windy, raining, small hail, was about 28 degrees and still had over 500 show up for it. Thank god we haven't had anymore days like that. The last several years it just way too nice.

 

[GSXR7ED]

My bike is still in his garage but he went hiking this weekend so I didn't get a chance to work on it.

Nope, this weekend, the 24th. Thing is weather isn't looking to promising for out of towners caming in, maybe from El Paso. Guess we'll see if it changes by Sat. I know we have one nasty day for a run, was windy, raining, small hail, was about 28 degrees and still had over 500 show up for it. Thank god we haven't had anymore days like that. The last several years it just way too nice.

My bike may not be ready for this weekend...plus, I've got some plans with my daughter on Saturday so I'm out; sorry.

Well, I installed the gasket, got everything put together with no oil leaks. The engine turned over but there are a couple of valves that need to be tweeked. I'll be taking everything apart again. (At least I'm getting familiar with my bike)

I need to get a vacuum line from the petcock to the carbs (#2) and also a fuel filter...the one I had was installed incorrectly.

Anyway, I've also noticed an exhaust leak..so maybe I'll get with you to fix that? I'll take a look at the fiche and see what kinda parts are needed.


Ed

 

[gustovh]

You might be interested to know that, it is faster and easier to do both valves at the same time. When you do them one at a time, the second valve adjustment changes the first.

Use 2 shims, adjust both tappets, then lock the nuts and check the shim feel. When I adjust the tappet, the nut is barely loose, that way there should be a little resistance when turning the tappet. That removes most of the slack in the screw.
V

 

[Crankthat]

You might be interested to know that, it is faster and easier to do both valves at the same time. When you do them one at a time, the second valve adjustment changes the first.

Use 2 shims, adjust both tappets, then lock the nuts and check the shim feel. When I adjust the tappet, the nut is barely loose, that way there should be a little resistance when turning the tappet. That removes most of the slack in the screw.
V

That is what I experienced.

 

[GSXR7ED]

Hmmm...

Hmmm...

You might be interested to know that, it is faster and easier to do both valves at the same time. When you do them one at a time, the second valve adjustment changes the first.

Use 2 shims, adjust both tappets, then lock the nuts and check the shim feel. When I adjust the tappet, the nut is barely loose, that way there should be a little resistance when turning the tappet. That removes most of the slack in the screw.
V

I'm thinking I don't have shims. I did adjust the tappets individually between .003-.005. Make the .003 feeler fit snug and the .005 should not go in.

I used this as my guide: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/16valve_adjustment.pdf

Back to the drawing board with my technique. If at first I don't succeed...


Ed

 

[Steve]

I need to find a good video of the whole process. Gotta do it soon.

That would be good, but don't expect it to look anything like the pictures you just saw. :-k

Your bike has shims, takes a TOTALLY different procedure and tools.

I did adjust the tappets individually between .003-.005. Make the .003 feeler fit snug and the .005 should not go in.

That is OK, but the bike will run better and go longer between adjustments if you set the valves for the top end of the range.

.

 

[GSXR7ED]

That is OK, but the bike will run better and go longer between adjustments if you set the valves for the top end of the range.

.

Thanks Steve,

I also noticed that during idle, I can really hear lots of tapping of the valves...is it suppose to be somewhat quiet or is it normal to hear the tapping? (When everything is put back together)

It does get quieter when I increase the RPMs...smooth!


Ed

 

[Guest]

Anytime I've adjusted my valves, I always end up with one or two ticking just a bit, never fails. Though this last adjustment, really don't have a ticking for once, then again I didn't have to adjust many of them, I believe 4 or 5. The rest were spot on at around .004. Rather have then a bit loose then to tight. Seems like the older the bike gets the valve adjustments don't change much.

 

[srg]

I imagine the metal eventually gets "used to" the heat and the expansion/contraction, thus required a smaller adjustment as it ages. The shims still wear from the cam lobes, of course.

Thanks for the pictures and story! It will be helpful.

 

[Crankthat]

I'm thinking I don't have shims. I did adjust the tappets individually between .003-.005. Make the .003 feeler fit snug and the .005 should not go in.

I used this as my guide: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/16valve_adjustment.pdf

Back to the drawing board with my technique. If at first I don't succeed...


Ed

I think he was using shims as word in place of feeler gauges. Shimming one side with a feeler gauge while tightening the other side with another gauge.
When you tighten the tappet on one side it see saws the other side.
The shim bikes do not have the tappet to tighten or loosen.

 

[gustovh]

I'm thinking I don't have shims. I did adjust the tappets individually between .003-.005. Make the .003 feeler fit snug and the .005 should not go in.

I used this as my guide: http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/16valve_adjustment.pdf

Back to the drawing board with my technique. If at first I don't succeed...


Ed

By shims, I meant the .004 feelers for setting the tappets.
V

 

[GSXR7ED]

Almost Done

Almost Done

Spent my Friday evening re-accomplishing my "T's" valve adjustment. Here's a couple of pics...I got lost in my dis-assembly so I didn't take many pics. These new mirrors from Boulevard Suzuki are great!



I clamped the fuel line and removed the tank. Then...



Made sure I didn't lose all the bolts. Gasket is in great shape too.



I did as was suggested about the rocker arms (adjust the bolts at the same time). Loosened both bolts, then slightly tightened the tappet until it made contact (both sides0, then opened it enough to start the shim/feeler gauge process.

This time I went to .005 gap...doing each pair individually. I made sure the teardrop cam lobe (pointed section) was at the top and perpendicular to the rocker arm. I didn't do as was suggested in the instructions from before...this seemed to work better.

So today I will put everything back together and re-install a new fuel filter, vacuum line, and replace the fuel hose I cut. I like how I becoming familiar with removing the tank and cover. I'll probably forget how the next time I do this.



Ed

 

[GSXR7ED]

Replies

Replies

Anytime I've adjusted my valves, I always end up with one or two ticking just a bit, never fails. Though this last adjustment, really don't have a ticking for once, then again I didn't have to adjust many of them, I believe 4 or 5. The rest were spot on at around .004. Rather have then a bit loose then to tight. Seems like the older the bike gets the valve adjustments don't change much.

I'll find out today just how much of a difference going from .003 to .005 will do for my bike.

I imagine the metal eventually gets "used to" the heat and the expansion/contraction, thus required a smaller adjustment as it ages. The shims still wear from the cam lobes, of course.

Thanks for the pictures and story! It will be helpful.

Thanks for viewing and for your helpful feedback!

I think he was using shims as word in place of feeler gauges. Shimming one side with a feeler gauge while tightening the other side with another gauge.
When you tighten the tappet on one side it see saws the other side.
The shim bikes do not have the tappet to tighten or loosen.

Now I understand. Thanks.

By shims, I meant the .004 feelers for setting the tappets.
V

I definitely understand now. I appreciate the explanation.


Ed

 

[850 Combat]

I have an old car with screw tappet adjustment. It is designed and built with an interference fit in the screw and rocker arm thread. There is no lock nut or wobbly loose screw that changes when you tighten the lock nut. All my old English bikes (except some of the singles that had eccentrics) had the screw and lock nut, as does my Lotus 7, as did my air cooled VWs, and stock Cortinas. It isn't that hard to get the screw and nut ones right by setting them off a little and anticipating where they will be when they are tightened, but not having the locknut and having the screw stay where you initially set it is nice.