What you really, REALLY don't want to see when you take a plug out :(

[Timolgra]

Hasn't been running right for a while,

 

[Popeye]

I detect an undertone of blame heading this way. If you guys think I ****ed it up when setting the valve clearances just say so instead of pussy footing around.

Where there's blame, there's a claim.

I've just been out to the garage in a fit of panic to check my Wurth feeler gauges and there's no clearance on them whatsoever, and they're different thicknesses.

Poor show Maverick

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Stop being so touchy

There was NO gap in the clearences on the R/H side ....

Not touchy would just rather know that I am either doing it wrong so that I don't feck up another one or that something else has caused it basically.

Popeye did you measure the clearances on your guages with the metal side or the plastic side. It will make a reasonable difference so get it right

 

[DrFarkoff]

Maverick Don;t worry mate I've had a couple of these They go away set a neat sliding 0.15 and 0.30mm repectively and comeback 5000 miles later down to near nothing

The common factor is not boy racer but commucting and sitting in traffic they now get a loose sliding fit to be sure to be sure

I think it's the heat

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Maverick Don;t worry mate I've had a couple of these They go away set a neat sliding 0.15 and 0.30mm repectively and comeback 5000 miles later down to near nothing

The common factor is not boy racer but commucting and sitting in traffic they now get a loose sliding fit to be sure to be sure

I think it's the heat

Would it then not be safer to rather go 0.20 and 0.35mm respective and not run the risk? A healthy paranioa has set in as this is certainly not a cheap mistake to make

On my previous Africa Twin the gaps always closed down after a couple of thousand miles as you suggested. On the beemers they have always opened up after a while

 

[Wrigsby1]

My amateur experience is shims usually tighten and screw and locknut tappets usually loosen. I was always told that shims vitally need the 1st service check and the one after but once they have settled down they stay OK. The BM screw n locknut adjustment is fairly agricultural but luckily the pots stick out so making a check nice and easy.

Strange 'cos usually everyone is going on about how feckin' noisy the engines are

 

[topcat2006]

Not touchy would just rather know that I am either doing it wrong so that I don't feck up another one or that something else has caused it basically.

Popeye did you measure the clearances on your guages with the metal side or the plastic side. It will make a reasonable difference so get it right

Exactly why I asked the question about the gauges. If for some reason they aren't the best to use - well I want to do the best job I can when working on my bike and use the best tools I can afford to do the job instead of having to work with cheap monkey metal tools all the time. Also sometimes having the right tools can make the job easier, shorter and more accurate!

I did lol at Steptoe's reply though........

Tom

 

[MattW]

I bought some Wurth gauges last year and forgot where I'd put them so last them I checked the clearances on my 1100 I used my old school 'penknife' style britool set.

I then found my Wurth ones in the wrong drawer of my toolbox as I putting my tools away so I checked the clearances again using them - exactly the same (and I found them easier to use).

 

[johnnyboy]

FFS, if your not sure the gauges are right, measure them with a micrometer. It's the 'operator' that causes the mal-adjustments. Correct me if i'm wrong but I think Mr Steptoe has his tongue firmly in his cheek.

 

[chad]

master steppers ties the best flies and his cast is always sure

but to be sure i went and checked my wurth guages against my mac tools set and and they are the same

 

[MattW]

I think Mr Steptoe has his tongue firmly in his cheek.

I'm sure he has

A gauge is a gauge - FWIW I found the wurth ones easier to use due to their shape and weight. Easy to gently pinch them between thumb and finger and judge the 'slide' of the fit

 

[Wrigsby1]

FFS i have just Googles "Wurth Feeler Gauge" to see what all the fuss is about.... They look like colour coded nail files to me and I sure as hell aint using a nail file to check my clearances. Might be a bit dissapointing to my G/F as well as they don't seem to have much abrasion. augie)

 

[Stewart H]

Just been out in the garage looking at my Wurth gauges, I keep all of my gauges in a poly bag with some oil, which begs the question, what type of oil should I keep them in?

Stewart

 

[Myke Rocks]

Nail Files. Why not?

FFS i have just Googles "Wurth Feeler Gauge" to see what all the fuss is about.... They look like colour coded nail files to me and I sure as hell aint using a nail file to check my clearances. Might be a bit dissapointing to my G/F as well as they don't seem to have much abrasion. augie)

If clearance is a bit tight, don't bother adjusting, just saw it back & forth a little till clearance is correct!

Myke

 

[jmh]

Out of interest, did Steptoe find the keys an fire it up! Just wondering if it's sorted now. Or have i missed that bit!

 

[Steptoe]

Out of interest, did Steptoe find the keys an fire it up! Just wondering if it's sorted now. Or have i missed that bit!

Fired up on the button Engine a bit tinkly, but i think it was anyway

Forgot to mention, Engine oil stank.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Great news and glad it is running again, stinky engine oil

 

[DavidHale]

Engine a bit tinkly, but i think it was anyway

Bit like the owner of the bike

 

[judge]

Forgot to mention, Engine oil stank.

Not really a surprise, probably well used baby oil or waste vegetable oil from a souk food vendor in Kesh

 

[Kenny]

Instead of 'What Oil do you use' thread, we can now have a 'How does your oil smell?' thread