the response from motion pro

[Dan Timberlake]

motion pro valve shim tool

I borrowed a tool to use on my XS-850. I don't know who made it. I had no success until I did 2 things.
(1) - the tool would not open a valve. It would only hold it open. I had to rotate the engine (using the ignition rotor bolt) until the cam lobe was pointing down parallel to the valve stem axis (max lift). Then when after the tool was aligned and tightened I'd rotate the engine until the cam lobe was 180 but again parallel to the valve CL.
(2) - the alignment of the tool to head to lifter bucket had to be just right. With the lobe in max lift position the bucket is out of the way, and I could press the tongue of the tool against the lifter bore, and then tighten the bolts that hold it to the head.

[xjguy]

Hey, I'm sure the factory tool is far superior and if you got one- You are a lucky guy!
glad it worked out.

xjguy and "gone with the wind"

[Shuriken]

Motion Pro Tool - I guess not ...

Well, I just ordered a 2-bucket Travelcade seat kit for my XS from Dennis Kirk - I hope it works.

I also replaced the fork seals with Dennis Kirk replacements. Man what a difference that made in handling and braking, not to mention cosmetics!

And I was just about to go buy a motion pro tool to do some valve adjusting - but I don't want to fuss with it - especially after the comment made that "this is the only one that makes me sweat" regarding vehicles and valve adjustments. I don't want to screw something up on my bike after coming this far.

Is there any other tool out there for our cause or is the consensus that the motion pro tool can really work?

Ben

[grshantz]

someone mentioned the Kawasaki tool at one time as a better optiopn but they never came back with the specifics. i.e. which Kawasaki tool and how it is used. Hopefull they will come back with the information.


Glenn

[Stray Bullet]

i think it was wayne ilfry who used the kawa tool. i believe it was for the KZ1000. i checked it out at the local high-dollar MC parts store. it's a much different looking tool, which made me uncomfortable. i decided to modify the motion-pro, but that didnt work either (cos i screwed it up). as of now, i'm planning on pulling the cams.

[Mr Jake]

The tool works...sometimes

"Is there any other tool out there for our cause or is the consensus that the motion pro tool can really work?"

I have gotten it to work and I have heard other guys say that they got it to work. Other guys say it only works on some cylinders and is very tricky. And then other guys say that it absolutely would not work for them no matter how much they tried. So there seems to be variability in the length of the tool. I think the best bet for everybody who still needs a tool is to buy it from a source that accepts returns (your dealer perhaps) or see if you can get one on loan from your dealer or local XS rider group.

Mr. Jake

[Mike F]

Is everyone using the tool in the same way? You have to turn the camshaft to open the valve then use the tool to keep the valve open.