CHAPTER 6 - CYLINDER HEAD & VALVES

[Confucious]

Just a quickie......fairings and tank are off....took the valve caps off and had a peek inside - then i thought...where the fudge am I supposed to stick the feeler gauge ? Hmmm ! caps on again - try this weekend after finding TDC. BTW, not being too mechanically minded (as if we haven't all gathered that by now) - the exhaust valves are the two forward one's yeah ? with the tricky one being on the right side. I'm not sure yet but the previous bit about delivering the top end to a specialist is sounding better all the time

[Rubberchicken]

The exhaust side is the side where the exhaust's coming out of.

But yeah, I get the idea you're diving headfirst into the deep end of the pool, just a bit...

[Scott]

But yeah, I get the idea you're diving headfirst into the deep end of the pool, just a bit...

Without your waterwings

Get that engine head to a shop mate...before we all collapse under the strain.

[Confucious]

Had a good read through the manual last night, and had visions of the odd spring or bolt being left on the garage workbench after everything was supposedly installed again....I mean this is like a job of biblical proportions to me so I think I'm going to check/adjust the valve clearances first and see what happens (hears taunts of wimp.....) Why would I get grey smoke from the RH exhaust when I start her up, but not when she's warm. Are we into heavy sheise here .....I've been told valve guide seal...what catastrophe's await if this isn't seen to straight away ... all mockery and advice most welcome

[Rubberchicken]

(hears taunts of wimp.....)

Nah. It's good to know when you're out of your depth.

Why would I get grey smoke from the RH exhaust when I start her up, but not when she's warm. Are we into heavy sheise here .....I've been told valve guide seal...what catastrophe's await if this isn't seen to straight away ... all mockery and advice most welcome

Not a lot.

My bike's been diagnosed with iffy valve seals a couple of years ago, and since then I've put half as much miles on her again, still running peachy.

Just keep a good eye on the oil. Especially after motorway blasts, because I suspect this is the cause of my bike getting a thirst for the black stuff when it gets (too) hot.

A bit of smoke right after startup shouldn't be a big problem, especially if it goes away when it's warm. Besides, the right hand exhaust valve is the one with the automatic valve lifter, that may even be the cause of it all.

I'd say just keep an eye on the oil, unless it uses a lot of oil in everyday riding I'd leave it alone for the time being.

[Confucious]

I gotta say with the tank and fairing off it could easily lead you into a false sense confidence....as CHAD said "waving a spanner purposefully" or similar.... Anyway, a dodgy sphincter got the better of me, so I stopped after checking the valves and spark plug Every thing was as it should be and needed no intervention from me. Took the point about the hex caps, so used a one meter hollow bar as leverage - round it went without any bother...After Rc told us about smokey seals I think I'm going to live with that, and keep an eye on things.....what's more, I took the advice about semi synthetic and hold rigorous control over oil levels ! So, those of our supportive members that have been glued to their screens can now breath normally - thanks people .....now, where did I put the fairing bolts ?

[kaupo]

Hi to all fellow riders!
After hearing a somewhat scary noise coming from the top end - squeaking noise, as if a bearing's running dry - I removed the tappet cover. What was to be discoverd left me puzzled. All tappets and subrockers were (I'm no mechanic, but still) in tiptop shape, also cams, which were well above service limits according to the manual. But on the downside both camshaft bearings literally fell off the camshaft. As the bearings indicated some play, to the bearing shop I went not knowing they differ not only by the sealing on the right-hand one. Bought the left-hand one, and as I tried to fit it, the play on shaft compared to the worn bearing was the same(!?). Shaft diameter on bearing seat is 19,98mm. What to do now?
Second problem seems to be the auto-decomp. As I understand there should be a tiny spring between decomp and shaft, forcing decomp cam nearest to the camshaft axle when engine not running. Yet the decompressor has play to any direction (axial, radial), and no spring pressure is felt. I'll be pulling the cam apart tomorrow, to have a clear view of what's happened there. Comments well appreciated!