Valve Clatter

[Commodus]

Hi all, I'm in a bit of a dilemma here. I adjusted the valves on my bike before setting out on a journey (by the way, never do this much maintenance to your bike right before a trip on it, if something goes wrong you're hooped - silly me) and I think I must have done something wrong, though I've done it lots of times before.

The feeler gauge set I used was a bit worn, and I think the wear affected its accuracy, because now that I've arrived it's very very clattery. Like, I'm a bit afraid to take the bike any further, which is a problem because I'm a long ways from home. I would happily just pay to have it readjusted, except I can't get any of the local bike shops to give me a straight answer on when they can do it. Since I have no other transportation, I'll be stranded at the bike shop for an indeterminate length of time...

Anyways, the point: it's gotten louder than it was, during the journey. If the feeler gauge was worn past the point of accuracy, wouldn't that make it too tight? In which case it would be quiet, not loud, no?

What could I have done to create this situation, and is it safe for another 500kms or so? Basically, I'm not too concerned about the valves being too loose, but the possible wear of them being too tight could be a problem, right?

Somebody help me out here. Should I just ride it home and check it out there, or could that break it?

Thanks very much in advance.

[earlfor]

What bike are you on?

If you have screw adjusters on the valves, its easy enough to either miss tightening/locking down an adjuster or not tightening one enough and having it work loose.
I would guess that if valve clatter is getting louder, clearances must be increasing. Do you have wrenches to remove the valve cover, rotate the crank and check the tappets to see if they are all about the same?

Earl

[bwringer]

What bike are you on?

If you have screw adjusters on the valves, its easy enough to either miss tightening/locking down an adjuster or not tightening one enough and having it work loose.
I would guess that if valve clatter is getting louder, clearances must be increasing. Do you have wrenches to remove the valve cover, rotate the crank and check the tappets to see if they are all about the same?

Earl

My thoughts exactly - sounds like possibly loose valve adjuster locknuts. You need to pull the valve cover and investigate muy pronto. I wouldn't ride the bike another inch if at all possible.

The tools needed are quite simple and cheap at any auto parts store. Buy a metric feeler gauge, a 10mm wrench for the valve cover bolts if you don't have one, and the smaller (Is it 7 or 8mm?) wrench needed for the locknuts. A 19mm or 3/4" wrench will suffice for turning the engine. Get a small bottle of hand cleaner and some rags, and you should be ready for surgery for under $25.

Find a nice shady spot and get to work. You'll do far better work in a parking lot with simple hand tools than the disinterested stoners inhabiting fully equipped bike shops.

[Commodus]

You're so right, guys. Thanks so much, I'll check it out ASAP.

[Commodus]

What bike are you on?

If you have screw adjusters on the valves, its easy enough to either miss tightening/locking down an adjuster or not tightening one enough and having it work loose.
I would guess that if valve clatter is getting louder, clearances must be increasing. Do you have wrenches to remove the valve cover, rotate the crank and check the tappets to see if they are all about the same?

Earl

Oh, I'm on a 1982 Kat 750, so that's completely possible.

[t3rmin]

Locknuts are either 7mm or 9mm. Can't remember which but it was a stupid in-between size my set didn't have...

[Commodus]

OK so I popped the top and it doesn't look like anything too destructive went on. I half-expected to see some stray locknuts had bounced about wreaking havoc.

I'll go buy a feeler gauge set and check 'em again, I must have done something dramatically wrong.

Could someone please post the valve clearances specs? I looked but couldn't find them. Oh, and what size the lock nuts are? I'll have to buy the tools and the previous post has me nervous about getting the wrong ones, heh.

Hmm, and what size are the square adjusters themselves? At home I have a special tool and I've never looked at it that closely, *sigh*.

Thanks in advance!

[earlfor]

The square adjusters are 3mm (three). The adjuster nuts are 9mm (nine).
Valve clearances both intake and exhaust are 0.09-0.13mm (0.004-0.005 inches)

Earl

Could someone please post the valve clearances specs? I looked but couldn't find them. Oh, and what size the lock nuts are? I'll have to buy the tools and the previous post has me nervous about getting the wrong ones, heh.

Hmm, and what size are the square adjusters themselves? At home I have a special tool and I've never looked at it that closely, *sigh*.

Thanks in advance!

[Commodus]

The square adjusters are 3mm (three). The adjuster nuts are 9mm (nine).
Valve clearances both intake and exhaust are 0.09-0.13mm (0.004-0.005 inches)

Earl

You're a prince, thank you so much.

[earlfor]

Any time a'tall y'all. :-)

E.

You're a prince, thank you so much.

[derwood]

A #2 robertson screw (deck screw)will turn the adjuster.

[earlfor]

Hey now, thats handy to know. You could run the screw into the end of a dowel and have your own little adjuster wrench for a couple cents. Thanks.

Earl

A #2 robertson screw (deck screw)will turn the adjuster.

[Commodus]

Welp, I did my valve adjustment in a friend's garage and the clatter's gone! Well mostly, you know how these old GSs sound.

The problem was #2 intake, it was way too open. I dunno how I missed it, but she's fixed now and carried me home no problem.

Thanks again guys!

[bwringer]

*sniff*

I just love a happy ending! \\/

[chef1366]

*sniff*

I just love a happy ending! \\/

Me too...............:-D