That all makes sense, I am sure your integrity is now saved! I turned my first
valve checking into a real nightmare. WARNING extreme stupidity ahead. When I
took the covers off I was careful to count two as this is what the manual said
and there was no good picture. I counted the ring and the side cover not
realizing this was not what the book was talking about. I identified the real
crank bolt cover as the crank bolt itself, it looks like a bolt, is anyone
following this? Turn it left and it comes off, try and turn the crank with it
and it breaks! On a saturday, JB Weld wont do it, and nobody has a part. I ended
up driving 60 miles to a salvage yard to pick one up. I finished the job in one
day as no self respecting Virago owner would take more than 24 hours to adjust
his valves, even if he is an idiot. Don't try this at home. Breaking the bolt
cover that is, as valve adjustments are easy, if your bike is in pieces or you
have tiny hands! Even with big hands and an assembled bike, if I did it anyone
can.
George
82 XV750
imagineero wrote:
> >"I've checked them 3 times in the last 15,000 miles, probably took me all of
> >30 minutes all put together." -Shaun in South Korea
> >
> >Takes you 10 minutes to check the valves? I only tried it once, following
> >the manual; it probably took me close to half a day, including
> >head-scratching time, by the time I got everything back together. Even
> >allowing for the fact that I didn't know what I was doing and am somewhat of
> >a klutz to boot, I think (hope?) you're exaggerating just a tad. Or is there
> >a secret you could share? Someone told me later that you don't really have
> >to take the tank off, but that's what the manual says.
> >
> >Lee in Kentucky
> >XV1100
>
> Perhaps I was exaggerating just a tad ;-)
> This is something that can be done much faster though, especially if you
> combine it with something else. I did mine when my carbs were out (first
> cleaning them when I bought the bike, second adjusting them and third
> installing the Dial-a-jet). It is a lot easier to do when you have some
> space to work, however there are a few tricks that can help. First the
> gauge; I bought a cheap set and cut the ones I need off the set. I then
> bent them to make them easier to use. This increases accuracy considerably
> and makes the whole job easier. Note that I did not need to adjust my
> valves.... I do not remove the tank, simply lift it. I use T handle and
> ball head allen keys that make removal faster (by a tad). I think the most
> important thing is the feel, not just when measuring, but also in aligning
> the cylinders which is where most people seem to come into trouble. I've
> seen a lot of first time valve checkers turn those cylinders around for
> hours on end...... never quite sure that they reached TDC.
>
> Shaun
> South Korea
>
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