First Time Valve Adjustment Opinions

[Super]

Hello All,

So after purchasing a 1982 GS 750 EZ last January and getting her up and running, I have decided to take on the job of adjusting the valves. She has 15,500 miles on her now and only 14,500 on her when I bought her. I performed all the usual work one should do after getting a bike that came with no info from the previous owner.

Changed oil/filter, new air filter, rebuilt carbs, new fuel lines, inspected and new fluid for the brakes, new battery...and a few things I'm probably forgetting.

Here's my battle plan:

1) Using the tutorial I've downloaded from GS Resources, I'm going to adjust the valves.

2) After that, I'm going to use the Colortune spark plug tool to adjust the carbs.

3) Then use a Carbtune synchronizer to synch the carbs.

Presto! I should have a pretty close to perfect running engine! She runs pretty good now but I have no idea when the last time the valves were adjusted by the previous owner(s).

I am looking for any advise as to if this is the proper sequence to do this.

Also, should I do anything to clean the valves? Or should they even be cleaned?

I know to put a rag or something to keep anything from falling in when the valve cover is off.

Is there anyway to check the cam chains while the valve cover is off..or should I even do that? Besides the obvious info from the tutorial, is there anything I should know or be aware of?

Maybe I'm asking too much.....sorry.

Thanks for any help

[bellucci]

Looks like you have the order correct... you might want to read up on the cam chain tensioner inspection... It is automatic if it is stock. But sometimes they need rebuilding...
Curt

[Dogma]

...all the usual work one should do after getting a 28 year old bike that came with no info from the previous owner...

Concerning my edit there, please add rebuilding the brakes to the to-do list.

The cam chains are almost never an issue on a stock GS engine, but check the tensioner, as Curt said. They sometimes get gummed up, and often leak. It's an age thing.

[Super]

Yep..did it

Hey Dogma... yep, did that too. Just didn't mention it fully in my first posting. Thanks..

[81ZUKI75]

Colortune?

Let us know how this works out for you. After struggling with a Motion Pro manometer I went for the Colortune/Carbtune package.

Since I really can't do much with the "highest RPM" method I was looking forward to trying the Colortune on both of my 750's. I could go lean until the cylinder "blacked-out" but I quit trying to get a "rich indication" after about six turns.

Boy I like the Carbtune though.