mustering the confidence to do my valve adjustment

[Gregory]

Define "laying around" Lmao

Sorry for yet another derailment from the original topic. It seems to be too easy to pick these things out today.

LOL I just re read what I typed. It has been a long time ago but it was a plastic stick looking thing found in the trash pile out in the shop. If I run across it I will take a picture. It really did make the job easier (if you have the header off anyway).

[Steve]

Can't imagine why anyone would want to take the exhaust off just to do a valve adjustment, but glad it worked out for you, since you had it off anyway.

Curious if you slid it past the edge of the valve, pretty much like we do with the zip-tie, but from the other direction.

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[Brendan W]

So who's going to be first to send the plastic thing through the carbs?

[sachsaca]

It si not that hard, I did it so trust me. Get the valve shim tool, have to. Be patient, get good measurements for your clearences. Join the shim club here. I paid for my first set and have to send my old ones in. It is not hard at all. My bike is a GS 1000 L.

[mikerophone]

Subscribed. Just re-checked all the clearances on my 16V motor last week, piece of cake on the 16V, like has been said, they are easier, just have twice as many valves to adjust. I made a few slight adjustments after riding it nearly 4K miles since I adjusted them in the late spring.

Need to do this on my 8 valve bikes once I get them back together. Will be emailing Steve for his spreadsheet at that time…

Also, I was able to re-use my valve cover gasket both times without leaks on the 16V head, sounds like this might not be as possible on the 8V head?

[GSX1000E]

The factory shim tool works effortlessly with the factory cams.

[Steve]

Need to do this on my 8 valve bikes once I get them back together. Will be emailing Steve for his spreadsheet at that time.

No need to wait.

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[growler]

i think i can do this. gotta learn somehow, right?

i'll take some photos and start another thread when i do it. excited to dig into steve's elaborate spreadsheet!

[Big T]

i'll take some photos and start another thread when i do it. excited to dig into steve's elaborate spreadsheet!

I'm sure it's been done, say, 5 or 6 times before

[growler]

Yes, it has. If it bothers you then don't read the thread.

[Wingsconsin]

i think i can do this. gotta learn somehow, right?

i'll take some photos and start another thread when i do it. excited to dig into steve's elaborate spreadsheet!

Awesome ! Be sure to load the pictures when you've finished.
We all can learn from this - more information is good information and I am a visual learner.
You can do it !

[Steve]

i'll take some photos and start another thread when i do it. excited to dig into steve's elaborate spreadsheet!

I'm sure it's been done, say, 5 or 6 times before

Which are you thinking has been done a few times, the photos and thread or the digging into the spreadsheet?

Yeah a couple of us have done a valve adjustment a time or three, and I have sent out 886 copies of the spreadsheet, so far.

If I remember correctly (and that is happening far less, nowadays), it has gone to 47 of the 50 (or so) States, as well as 16 other countries.

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[growler]

Can this be done during winter? It's right around freezing here these days....should I wait until spring? I have the tank off and in a warm, dry place. Wanted to tackle valve adjustment with new gaskets, new spark plug wires, coils check, and some other odds and ends while I can't ride.

[Wingsconsin]

I think you can do the adjustments ; however you should also do a new carb synch when finished as well.
That would require a warm running bike...
I am waiting for Spring to do mine - because I like to be warm .

[mrbill5491]

[QUOTE=growler;2124034]i've been busy with projects and riding (instead of working on) my bike. it's time to get the valve adjustment done and stick a new valve gasket on. i've never done a valve adjustment before on any bike. i've read the tutorial on bikecliff's site, but still wish i had someone over my shoulder to make sure i don't screw it up. i have all the tools needed, now i just need the confidence to do it! hah!

am i supposed to sync the carbs again once the adjustment is done?

any last minute tips?[/QUOTE

Naw, you don't have to sync the carbs after a valve adjustment, though one thing to think of is when was the last time the carbs were sync if ever? IMO wouldn't hurt.