mustering the confidence to do my valve adjustment

[growler]

i've been busy with projects and riding (instead of working on) my bike. it's time to get the valve adjustment done and stick a new valve gasket on. i've never done a valve adjustment before on any bike. i've read the tutorial on bikecliff's site, but still wish i had someone over my shoulder to make sure i don't screw it up. i have all the tools needed, now i just need the confidence to do it! hah!

am i supposed to sync the carbs again once the adjustment is done?

any last minute tips?

 

[niclpnut]

You will find its not that bad once you get to it. Get one of steve's spreadsheets if you haven't already.

 

[jsandidge]

I was a bit hesitant as well, but it turned out to be fairly easy. I found it easier to use the bucket depression tool by getting it in place with the lobe pressing down on the shim and then rotating the crank with a wrench until the lobe came back up. It tends to slip off of the bucket if you try to use it the conventional way. It will work either way though. Use some grease or graphite anti-sieze on both sides of the gasket when putting it all back together. You'll be glad you did when it comes time for your next valve adjustment. +1 on Steve's spreadsheet. It removes all the math and guesswork for you.

 

[robertbarr]

Don't rotate the engine without a shim in each bucket. Don't rotate the engine backward. Doublecheck your clearance measurements by rotating the engine through 360 degrees and checking twice. Be careful to not drop anything down the cam chain tunnel. Use patience (you'll need it!) when cleaning the gasket surfaces -- they're soft aluminum and you don't want random metal bits floating around in the engine.

Otherwise, there's really no way to cause damage. Just follow the directions and work carefully and deliberately.

Your second (and subsequent) valve lash checks will be much faster and easier, and less nerve-wracking.

 

[bwringer]

The secret to using the shim tool successfully is to apply a bit of sideways pressure -- get it started, then add a bit of sideways pressure toward the cam lobe as you're pushing it down into place.

You might also take a close look at your shim tool -- some of them have a bit of leftover flash from the molding process on the rib that presses against the edge of the bucket. Clean this up a bit with a flat file and it'll work better.

It's pretty easy once you get in there and ponder how things work. And there might be a GS-er somewhere around Milwaukee that could supervise. I know the Chicago area is simply thick with them...

And yeah, it's a good idea to re-check carb sync afterwards, especially if you changed any shims. But don't let that keep you from riding or anything.

 

[Guest]

Didn't a GSR member post a video on doing a valve shim adjustment? I recall it being really good.

 

[Steve]

Get one of steve's spreadsheets if you haven't already.

+1 on Steve's spreadsheet. It removes all the math and guesswork for you.

Thanks guys, she got a spreadsheet four months ago. :encouragement:

Growler, get in touch with Wingsconsin, he is not too far from you.

.

 

[Redman]

Maybe to gain some experience and work up some confidence, maybe, first just say that are going to check the clearance on all of them.
(record results somewere, like Steves spreadsheet)

Then after that, go back and take out those needing adjustment one by one to see what the existing ones are (record that) and put it back.

Then figure what new ones you need, may take a while to get them.

Yah, should redoe carb sysnc after changing any shim.
But do not let that hold you up from proceeding.

.

 

[Wingsconsin]

Thanks guys, she got a spreadsheet four months ago. :encouragement:

Growler, get in touch with Wingsconsin, he is not too far from you.

.

I am HERE

And willing to come over and help -
Even though I have not done MY GS850 yet - I did have the good fortune to observe and be taught HOW by Steve himself.
I will be tackling my own in the Spring - And while I have little practical experience - I have some familiarity with the process.
Contact me via PM and maybe we can get together; and learn through this process together
I have carb synch gauges, and an AUX fuel tank to run the bike on as well...

Sign me -
Willing and mostly able

 

[growler]

Thank you for all the great advice! I'm armed with the correct tools and Steve's spreadsheet. Wingsconsin, I'll be sending you a PM soon

 

[growler]

I wish this video showed the guy inserting the tool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cwM1tYjhM8

 

[78550GS]

I wish this video showed the guy inserting the tool.

That's what she said!

Sorry.... too easy to catch that one.

I agree with everyone else. It really looks and sounds MUCH harder than it is. Just take your time.

 

[growler]

HAHA! Yeah, that was an easy one.

That's what she said!

Sorry.... too easy to catch that one.

I agree with everyone else. It really looks and sounds MUCH harder than it is. Just take your time.

 

[Gregory]

When I did the valve shims on mine it just so happened that I had the headers off. I didn't buy the tool but discovered that with a long hard stiff plastic contraption I had laying around I could get it in through the exhaust port much easier than from the top.

 

[78550GS]

with a long hard stiff plastic contraption I had laying around .

Define "laying around" Lmao

Sorry for yet another derailment from the original topic. It seems to be too easy to pick these things out today.

 

[Gregory]

Define "laying around" Lmao

Sorry for yet another derailment from the original topic. It seems to be too easy to pick these things out today.

LOL I just re read what I typed. It has been a long time ago but it was a plastic stick looking thing found in the trash pile out in the shop. If I run across it I will take a picture. It really did make the job easier (if you have the header off anyway).

 

[Steve]

Can't imagine why anyone would want to take the exhaust off just to do a valve adjustment, but glad it worked out for you, since you had it off anyway.

Curious if you slid it past the edge of the valve, pretty much like we do with the zip-tie, but from the other direction. :-k

.

 

[Brendan W]

So who's going to be first to send the plastic thing through the carbs?

 

[sachsaca]

It si not that hard, I did it so trust me. Get the valve shim tool, have to. Be patient, get good measurements for your clearences. Join the shim club here. I paid for my first set and have to send my old ones in. It is not hard at all. My bike is a GS 1000 L.

 

[mikerophone]

Subscribed. Just re-checked all the clearances on my 16V motor last week, piece of cake on the 16V, like has been said, they are easier, just have twice as many valves to adjust. I made a few slight adjustments after riding it nearly 4K miles since I adjusted them in the late spring.

Need to do this on my 8 valve bikes once I get them back together. Will be emailing Steve for his spreadsheet at that time…

Also, I was able to re-use my valve cover gasket both times without leaks on the 16V head, sounds like this might not be as possible on the 8V head?