Which infuence does the rocker end float have on engine run?

[jogo]

Hi,
my bike was due for service so I did oil change, valves and some other stuff the other day.
As it was a while ago that I had adjusted the valves and to refresh my memory, I took a look at the "how to..." written by Steptoe and available in the wisdom secton. This doc helped me also greatly when doing the task for the first time.

Steptoe recommends to keep the rocker end float at the lower end of the allowed range (0,05 - 0,4 mm) as this would help surging problems and make the engine run better.

Mine were all in the area of 0,1, so I left them as they were.

I have no hesitation to follow the advice of someone who knows much more about these engine than I ever will, however, I have to admit that I do not really understand (but I'd very much much like to ) how the rocker end float can have such great influence (beside for noise) on the engine run.

If someone would take the time to enlighten me, I would be grateful.

Joerg

 

[Steptoe]

Simplified.

1) Cams push the push rods.
2) Push rods push the rocker arms.
3)Rocker arms push open the valves.

If there's lots of end float, between 2 and 3 you can add another movement cycle - 2a) Rocker arms get pushed up the rocker shaft.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Makes a nasty clicking sound sometimes too

oops thats more for an airhead but you get the idea

 

[jogo]

Thanks a lot, now I understand.
Joerg