probably dumb newbie question.....

[doubledeuce]

on my 'new' 81 450t, what is the function of the four chrome caps on the head cover? i'm in the process of replacing the head cover gasket to stop an oil leak, but now i'm suspicious of the left front cap. all help is greatly appreciated.

[Steve]

Purely decorative.

When you remove the valve cover, they will lift off with the cover, no need to try to take them off ahead of time.

When you change your valve cover gasket, you should also change the "half-moons" that are hiding behind those chrome caps.

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[doubledeuce]

Purely decorative.

When you remove the valve cover, they will lift off with the cover, no need to try to take them off ahead of time.

When you change your valve cover gasket, you should also change the "half-moons" that are hiding behind those chrome caps.

.

i wondered about those little biscuits. how are they held on? one actually bailed on me when i pulled the cover.

[Steve]

i wondered about those little biscuits. how are they held on?

Gravity and friction.

If you don't have new ones, you can apply a VERY LIGHT coat of sealer on the curved portion only, set them in place, then put the gasket and cover back on.

.

[doubledeuce]

steve, i thank you muchly.

[Steve]

While you have the cover off, you going to check your valve clearances?

You really should. Then read my sig.

.

[doubledeuce]

i'm honestly terrified to start messing with tolerances. i don't have that much confidence in my mechanical aptitude. my goal is just to keep the oil on the inside of the engine. at least most of it.

[pete]

i'm honestly terrified to start messing with tolerances. i don't have that much confidence in my mechanical aptitude. my goal is just to keep the oil on the inside of the engine. at least most of it.

If you haven't seen it yet, click here:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=196338 and read through things like valve clearance checks.

Take your time, be careful, measure twice, and you seriously can't screw up with just measuring the clearances.

The real golden rule with changing shims if you need to is *do not rotate the engine with any shims removed*.

I rebuilt my 450 from the ground up with assistance from this forum, the Clymer, Haynes, and factory manuals.

Prior to doing that, I had changed oil, gapped spark plugs, and set the mixture screws on the carbs. That's it. No mechanical experience... and I'm an IT geek to boot...

And yes, definitely get Steve's spreadsheet! It will help you immensely...

[Steve]

i'm honestly terrified to start messing with tolerances. i don't have that much confidence in my mechanical aptitude. my goal is just to keep the oil on the inside of the engine. at least most of it.

Checking tolerances is so easy, even a doubledeuce can do it.

Personally, I would be more terrified of what can happen to the engine when valve clearances are neglected.

You are allready THERE, just stick the feeler gauge in and see what you have. Most guys put it off until they can scrape up the cash for a valve cover gasket, then find the time to tackle the project, but you are THERE, it's only a few more minutes to check the clearances. Even if you don't do anything else about them, you will KNOW whether they are good or not. If they need to be adjusted, no problem, just ask the next set of questions.

And, ... if you're not that confident in your mechanical aptitude, why did you get a 31-year-old motorcycle?

.

[cowboyup3371]

Doubledeuce, where are you located? It would be a good idea to put your location in your profile so if one of us is close by we can possibly lend a hand.

[doubledeuce]

if you're not that confident in your mechanical aptitude, why did you get a 31-year-old motorcycle?

.

because i paid 250 bucks for it, and taught myself how to ride it. i figured; if i stuff it, i'm out a total of $300. and possibly deceased.
so far, it only left me walking once when a fuel line disintegrated. otherwise, all good for about 700 miles so far. i'll borrow the feeler gauges from work tomorrow, and give it a whirl. but if it spontaneously combusts while i'm checking clearance, i'm going to be totally pist at you guys.

[pete]

because i paid 250 bucks for it, and taught myself how to ride it. i figured; if i stuff it, i'm out a total of $300. and possibly deceased.
so far, it only left me walking once when a fuel line disintegrated. otherwise, all good for about 700 miles so far. i'll borrow the feeler gauges from work tomorrow, and give it a whirl. but if it spontaneously combusts while i'm checking clearance, i'm going to be totally pist at you guys.

Hahahahaaha just no naked flames near the carbs or fuel tank ok?

Just don't rush it and make sure you get the cam lobes oriented correctly as instructed in the manuals and guides...

[7981GS]

Checking tolerances is so easy, even a doubledeuce can do it.

You are allready THERE, just stick the feeler gauge in and see what you have. Most guys put it off until they can scrape up the cash for a valve cover gasket, then find the time to tackle the project, but you are THERE, it's only a few more minutes to check the clearances. Even if you don't do anything else about them, you will KNOW whether they are good or not. If they need to be adjusted, no problem, just ask the next set of questions.
.

When Tim Tom and his brother were here and we were changing the leaking gasket,
I said that we were going to check the valve lash as we were there anyway.
Tim said that he had adjusted them before he left New Jersey just 2700 miles ago.
I insisted that we check them and found 6 that could use adjustments!
His bike is much happier now for the 4000 or so miles before he gets back to Jersey.

Eric

[Steve]

Some manuals specify a check every 3000, I have seen others that say 4000.

2700 is right close to the 3000 mark, so GOOD CALL.

.

[Doldrums]

And, ... if you're not that confident in your mechanical aptitude, why did you get a 31-year-old motorcycle?

Everyone has to start somewhere.