OILHEAD VALVE ADJUSTMENT

[PAULHOMAN]

Hi I have almost completed full service on 2003 1150gs I bought a few months ago.
Today had a go at valve adjustment.Got engine to TDC but valves seem to have hardly any clearance. Engine runs OK do the valve clearances decrease with use. Never done this before anyway put cover over bike will have another go in morning presumably I open up clearances to speck I was just not expecting them to be such tiny clearance .HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP
I downloaded the Dummie guide it just shows being able to put in feeler gauges straight away.

 

[Welshman]

Hi I have almost completed full service on 2003 1150gs I bought a few months ago.
Today had a go at valve adjustment.Got engine to TDC but valves seem to have hardly any clearance. Engine runs OK do the valve clearances decrease with use. Never done this before anyway put cover over bike will have another go in morning presumably I open up clearances to speck I was just not expecting them to be such tiny clearance .HEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP
I downloaded the Dummie guide it just shows being able to put in feeler gauges straight away.

Which side were you checking?

 

[Lord Snooty]

Not being sarcastic in any way but are you sure you had the pistons at TDC on the compression stroke?

 

[wildbeeste]

This may help
http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/OVADv2.2.pdf

 

[cookie]

do the valve clearances decrease with use.

yes.

heads hammer into seats, and springs stretch the stem.

it's a remarkably common misconception that rattly valve gear, means that clearances have not been adjusted recently.

 

[PAULHOMAN]

Thanks I'll be brave and adjust them in morning by the look of it I will have caught them at the right time before valves burnt out. Thebike did have a poor service history when I bought it but it's only done 11,000 miles and the engine is sweet as a nut. I managed to bleed the ABS brakes. I will just have to get a vac unit to balance carb bodies then lovely jubbly all ready for a big trip.
I have really enjoyed learning how to service the bike it's such a rewarding thing to tackle something new and do it right. And once you've got all the tool's it's easy.

 

[PAULHOMAN]

left side

 

[PAULHOMAN]

HI Mate
Thanks for you help finished job this morning took about 90 mins bit scary as first time I've done this.Rummmmmmmmmmmm engine started perfect really smooth.Just have to tune throttle bodies but that can be done after my hols as engine is sweet. It is so rewarding to do job myself