valve adjustment gurus!!!!

[nisom512]

I need your help i I got up today and am trying to adjust my valves so I grab my computer and open basscliffs document on 16v adjustments and I was good to go but one "little" problem I have a completely different set up than the bike in his document so if any body knows how to do a valve adjustment on a 81 GS550t please help.

I will try to put a picture up as soon as I can.

http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o67/hot_wax_tree/GS550/?action=view&current=P6020120.jpg

[Steve]

Hey, pictures are always nice, but you really need to go to the 8-valve adjustment page. While you are there, also check out the zip-tie supplement. Also, send me an e-mail (not a PM) with a request for my Excel spreadsheet that will help you keep track of your clearances and shim sizes.

.

[nisom512]

wait wait wait So i need to take of my cam shafts to adjust my valves? wont the timeing get off?

[tkent02]

Do not need to remove the camshafts.

[Steve]

Go to the link that I posted for 8-valve adjustment. That, along with your manual (you DO have a manual, don't you?) will get you through just fine.

.

[nisom512]

i cont figure out what a lobe or a shim is....I am so dumb
Nope no manual...

[nisom512]

also how do I measure the clearance with my feeler guages?

[Billyboy]

Reead the instructions for an 8 valve motor.
Look at your cams.
Read it again.
Look at your cams, cam lobes (the shiny metal part that touches the shims) shims (the flat round things under the cam lobes).

Understand how it works.

Follow the procedure. It's really simple once you understand it. Take your time.

[Steve]

OK, no excuses any more. :shock:

Click on ==> THIS LINK <== to download your own manual from BassCliff's website.

.

[nisom512]

what is the valve clearance needed for my 550 I looked for it in sevice manual on basscliffs web site but I cant find it.

[Billyboy]

Service limits, if it's the same as my 1000, are .02 - .08mm.

[nisom512]

Yeah I just got your email. I will try to work it but I dont know how to yet.

[Steve]

what is the valve clearance needed for my 550 I looked for it in sevice manual on basscliffs web site but I cant find it.

Look on page 80 of the pdf manual. The actual page number in the book is 75, but the pdf counts the cover and the disclaimer and all that other stuff, so look on pdf page 80.

By the way, the clearance is the same as most of the other 8-valve motors.

BE CAREFUL when measuring to make sure you are using the right numbers.
If you use METRIC feeler gauges, the clearance should be 0.03-0.08 mm.
If you use INCH feeler gauges, the clearance should be 0.001-0.003 in.

Notice how there is a "3" in both measurements? One is a maximum, the other is a minimum, so you want to be SURE to keep them straight. The spreadsheet I just sent you will help you keep track of that much easier.

.

[BassCliff]

This is a valve shim:



It is exactly 29.5mm in diameter. The notation on the above part says 3-55. This means that it is 3.55mm thick. These shims go under the cam lobes (the egg shaped parts of the cam shaft, round on one side and a little more pointed on the other). The shims rest in "buckets" under the cam lobes. To replace them you must use the tappet tool (I have no problems with it) or the "Zip Tie Method" to hold your valves open so that you can grab the shims with tweezers and pull them out. Adjust your valve clearences (the space between the bottom of the cam lobe and the top of the shim) to between .03mm and .08mm (on the looser end of the range is generally better). Use this valve adjustment pictorial as a guide but always refer to your manual. I'll update the name of the link to reflect that it's the procedure for the 8-valve GS motor. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[nisom512]

yeah I finnaly found them they are .03 and .08