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Hobby Forum Index » Motorcycles » Valve clearance check...
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| oasysco... |
 Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:14 pm |
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Guest
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So I've got my bike partially dismantled - seat is off, tank is off,
pair valve contraption unhooked, one spark plug per cyl removed,
timing cover off. All I have left to do is remove the valve covers,
set to TDC, and get to work.
So before committing to that knowing how much light I need to see
small things, I call my mechanic. Older guy, very smart about bikes;
doesn't work on them any longer himself, but does tell his mechanics
what's wrong if they get stuck. I've seen a comptent mechanic puzzle
over something only to have this guy pipe in with what's wrong; 95% of
the time he's right.
He's never worked on a VTX before for valve clearance. Can't believe
the valve lifters aren't hydraulic... yeah, I can't either. I also
can't believe Honda still uses carbs on anything less than an 1800.
It's like Honda is the Microsoft of motorcycles; do it my way or not
at all. Even Kawasaki is more like Apple with EFI on 800cc bikes.
Before I fully commit to finishing this, I ask how much to check and
adjust clearance on the valves. $150-175. Seems reasonable; I probably
should button everything up and get it down to him before I break
something. But... no, I'm too close to do that. So, off I go being so
mechanically un-inclined as to be dangerous.
Off come the valve covers. Set to TDC for the rear cyl many times to
make sure I have it right. Decided to do the rear first since it is
the hardest to get to. Used the screwdriver method in the spark plug
hole to feel the upward push of the compression cycle. Jiggle the
intake/ehaust rocker arms to make sure they move a little and that I'm
truly at TDC. Make sure the hash marks are correct on the timing
mechanism.
Create a little jig for the 4mm open ended wrench that is small enough
to drop inside the engine. Popsicle stick with tape acts as a good
enough extender and holder that I won't lose the wrench in a bad
place.
Fiddle with the adjusting nut and lock nut... make it loose, tight to
get a feel for the feeler gauge sliding in loose or snug.
Yea! I've got the rear cycl exhaust valve clearance set via lamp
light. Tomorrow with sunlight, I'll attempt the 2 harder to get to
intake valves. And then do the front which should be cake compared to
the rear cylinder.
Maybe after I'm done, I'll feel a sense of accomplishment. Right now,
I'm halfway between dread and accomplishment. In any case, I've pretty
much decided that next time, it'll be cheaper time-wise to let someone
else do this  -
Greg |
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| oasysco... |
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 7:07 pm |
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On Jun 22, 12:45 am, "David T. Ashley" <d... at (no spam) e3ft.com> wrote:
Quote: "oasysco" <wilderkom... at (no spam) yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:042b338d-a4b3-40b2-90fb-c001c00faf3f at (no spam) 56g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
He's never worked on a VTX before for valve clearance. Can't believe
the valve lifters aren't hydraulic... yeah, I can't either. I also
can't believe Honda still uses carbs on anything less than an 1800.
It's like Honda is the Microsoft of motorcycles; do it my way or not
at all. Even Kawasaki is more like Apple with EFI on 800cc bikes.
I think the equation is more complicated than a company being backwards or
not. Honda has price targets to meet, and they want to bring a bike with
certain appeal to market at a certain price.
I'm very happy with my Honda Shadow 600, which is carb'd. The bike is
decidedly low-tech, but in exchange:
a)Honda could put a little chrome and nice paint on it.
b)Honda could retail it for $5,500.
I've never had a problem with the carb'd engine. It always starts. It
does, however, require being choked when cold and does need time to warm up.
I miss the EFI and auto-choke I had on my VTX1800. Most cruisers in
the 800cc class from other makers have EIFI/autochoke. You have to get
an 1800cc Honda before you enjoy that feature.
Quote:
Manufacturers have to decide what to include so they can sell for a certain
price. They can't put in every desirable feature.
Yeah, but most others do at the 800cc level and up, including belt
drive *and* hydraulic valve lifters.
Quote:
They have to hit price targets. I'm guessing the an EFI system is going to
cost Honda $200 and increase the cost of the bike by $500 (just a guess,
probably somewhat off).
I'm sure you are right.
Quote:
Maybe after I'm done, I'll feel a sense of accomplishment. Right now,
I'm halfway between dread and accomplishment. In any case, I've pretty
much decided that next time, it'll be cheaper time-wise to let someone
else do this -
Why? You spent all this effort training yourself ... : )
I'll be happy to being able to remove the tank so I can flush the
coolant system in about another 11000 miles -
amd you wou;dn't believe the ffort I put into training myself. From
the manual to 2 other web-based procedures, I tried filling in every
hole in the procedure before taking off the first screw.
Greg |
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| David T. Ashley... |
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:45 pm |
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Guest
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"oasysco" <wilderkommen at (no spam) yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:042b338d-a4b3-40b2-90fb-c001c00faf3f at (no spam) 56g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
Quote:
He's never worked on a VTX before for valve clearance. Can't believe
the valve lifters aren't hydraulic... yeah, I can't either. I also
can't believe Honda still uses carbs on anything less than an 1800.
It's like Honda is the Microsoft of motorcycles; do it my way or not
at all. Even Kawasaki is more like Apple with EFI on 800cc bikes.
I think the equation is more complicated than a company being backwards or
not. Honda has price targets to meet, and they want to bring a bike with
certain appeal to market at a certain price.
I'm very happy with my Honda Shadow 600, which is carb'd. The bike is
decidedly low-tech, but in exchange:
a)Honda could put a little chrome and nice paint on it.
b)Honda could retail it for $5,500.
I've never had a problem with the carb'd engine. It always starts. It
does, however, require being choked when cold and does need time to warm up.
Manufacturers have to decide what to include so they can sell for a certain
price. They can't put in every desirable feature.
They have to hit price targets. I'm guessing the an EFI system is going to
cost Honda $200 and increase the cost of the bike by $500 (just a guess,
probably somewhat off).
Quote: Maybe after I'm done, I'll feel a sense of accomplishment. Right now,
I'm halfway between dread and accomplishment. In any case, I've pretty
much decided that next time, it'll be cheaper time-wise to let someone
else do this -
Why? You spent all this effort training yourself ... : ) |
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| David T. Ashley... |
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 1:21 am |
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Guest
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"oasysco" <wilderkommen at (no spam) yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3fe2de79-3aa4-4a30-868d-9da083f7a6a3 at (no spam) j22g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 22, 12:45 am, "David T. Ashley" <d... at (no spam) e3ft.com> wrote:
Quote: "oasysco" <wilderkom... at (no spam) yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:042b338d-a4b3-40b2-90fb-c001c00faf3f at (no spam) 56g2000hsm.googlegroups.com...
He's never worked on a VTX before for valve clearance. Can't believe
the valve lifters aren't hydraulic... yeah, I can't either. I also
can't believe Honda still uses carbs on anything less than an 1800.
It's like Honda is the Microsoft of motorcycles; do it my way or not
at all. Even Kawasaki is more like Apple with EFI on 800cc bikes.
I think the equation is more complicated than a company being backwards or
not. Honda has price targets to meet, and they want to bring a bike with
certain appeal to market at a certain price.
I'm very happy with my Honda Shadow 600, which is carb'd. The bike is
decidedly low-tech, but in exchange:
a)Honda could put a little chrome and nice paint on it.
b)Honda could retail it for $5,500.
I've never had a problem with the carb'd engine. It always starts. It
does, however, require being choked when cold and does need time to warm
up.
I miss the EFI and auto-choke I had on my VTX1800. Most cruisers in
the 800cc class from other makers have EIFI/autochoke. You have to get
an 1800cc Honda before you enjoy that feature.
What I was trying to say is that for an undemanding rider like me, Honda
guessed right. I'm happy with it. It is a big lawnmower engine, but it
gets me on the 2-lane highways around here and will tolerate the interstate.
For an entry-level lawnmower like the Shadow 600, carb'd seems fine.
I do agree with you that the dividing line should be sooner than 1800cc's.
That decision by Honda seems odd. Very odd.
Just for grins and giggles, off the Honda website, the Aero is $6,799 and
the Suzuki C50 is also $6,799. Odd, as I would expect the C50 to be a few
hundred more. Maybe EFI doesn't cost that much. Or maybe the cost of the
EFI system is partly offset by no carbs. |
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