Valve Adjustment Pictorial

[RJriver]

Great pics !!!!

Thanks Steve for the pics and alt process of getting to the valve shims! Had just purchased that special tool to depress the valve guides, watched a youtube vid, looked like a piece of cake. Wrong!! Two shims out after 2 1/2 hours , just could not get the tool to stay inplace or catch the guide

had thought that a person should be able to take loose the cams, etc.
Thanks so very very much!
Its just a "81" SH, barn find, but was all there kinda Getting ready for another trip to Sturgis and then maybe on to Colorado
Thanks to all the forum for all their help!!

[motoman]

WOW, I couldn't agree more If you got something that works for you and you are good with it, cary on, if not ask questions before I just pipe up sometimes to see all the banter back and forth about "I know more then you" and "my way is the best" What ever works for your bike and you is the "best: way to do it

lol......+1

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

+1

I think you guys have cabin fever. Im amazed this thread is 6 pages long lol. When it comes down to it no matter what your skill level is everyone should know their limit and if they arnt sure about something then knowing when to stop and ask questions is just as important. If someone proceeds in the face of uncertainty then they should accept the consiquences. Accidents happen even to the experienced though... I thought the tool was helpful and found it less stressful than pulling the cam caps. I was always concerned about the timing being set correctly after reinstalling the cams...

WOW, I couldn't agree more If you got something that works for you and you are good with it, cary on, if not ask questions before I just pipe up sometimes to see all the banter back and forth about "I know more then you" and "my way is the best" What ever works for your bike and you is the "best: way to do it

[skids]

I can see Steve's point if you need to move shims around. I have a small cache of them. I have done the adjustments both ways. No big deal either way, but you do have to be careful about not stripping the studs/nuts on the cam bosses. The torque spec is pretty light.

[crazy steve]

What are you refering to in the pic?

The scored cam bearing surface.... he was hoping for 'ignorance is bliss'.... lol...

[skids]

I wish I had used the MP tool. If I had, I would not have seen this.

What are you refering to in the pic?

[WMarshy]

I think you guys have cabin fever. Im amazed this thread is 6 pages long lol. When it comes down to it no matter what your skill level is everyone should know their limit and if they arnt sure about something then knowing when to stop and ask questions is just as important. If someone proceeds in the face of uncertainty then they should accept the consiquences. Accidents happen even to the experienced though... I thought the tool was helpful and found it less stressful than pulling the cam caps. I was always concerned about the timing being set correctly after reinstalling the cams...

[jetmechmarty]

I still use two chunks of bondo spreader, and a 1/4: tipped screwdriver, and take about an hour and a half to do my valves. Showed to me by an ex Yamaha service man. Very easy.

Show me! I can't wrap my brain around how that might work.

[XS1100 Newbie]

I still use two chunks of bondo spreader, and a 1/4: tipped screwdriver, and take about an hour and a half to do my valves. Showed to me by an ex Yamaha service man. Very easy.

[DGXSER]

I don't think many, or even any of the MP tools are defective.

Au contrare mon frere, you need to rethink that. I have seen to many talented folks who have stated they needed to rework that tool from MP. IT is just a known fact at this point.

I have used such a tool, the one issued by Mommy Yammie. And as much as I appreciated the loan of the tool from a great guy, it sucked to use. It takes a lot of time and effort to get that bloody thing lined up properly. It is a one size fits all type tool, those never fit anything well.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Mp

I don't think many, or even any of the MP tools are defective. I am just now realalizing that many don't have the understanding of these motors and the skill level to use it, after all, it was made for use by a professional mechanic. It was easy for me, but the other way might be best for others, what ever works, good luck with your bikes

[jetmechmarty]

I wish I had used the MP tool. If I had, I would not have seen this.

[crazy steve]

You're forgetting that either method has it's pitfalls. First, what if you're unlucky enough to get one of the MP tools that's not cast quite right and needs to be modded for proper fit? Will a novice have that knowledge? That's one of the reasons some of us don't like the MP tool. And if you turn a cam the wrong way to remove the tool after changing a shim, you can break a chunk of the gasket rail off the head; that's not exactly an easy repair.

I like the total access to all the shims at once that removing the cams offers. If you don't have an adequate assortment of spare shims, this can save a lot of time from shuffling shims one-at-time with the MP tool (or even if you do have the shims). It also lets you inspect the cams/bearings for wear, something the MP tool doesn't do. If you can read and carefully follow directions, there's no reason this method should be any more difficult than using the MP tool... as many here have demonstrated....

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Motor work

You got that a bit twisted, cause those of us who CAN do major motor work (and DO), well, we don't get it wrong.

I am guessing I have done as much motor work as most. I owned a garage and built racing motors and restored muscle cars for a living for many years. I have done the port and pollish of heads and CC'd them, and total rebuild of raceing motors, so I guess i could adjust my valves anyway I like In fact, it would be easyer to change my spark plugs on my race cars if I pulled the motor 1st I have just been talking to the members who havent rebuilt motors and don't have the experiance you have, less is more when it comes to un-bolting cam drive parts for some of them, glad you are so skilled and i am sure it is fun for you, could cost some there motor with less skill then you, think about them please

[DAVINCI]

You got that a bit twisted, cause those of us who CAN do major motor work (and DO), well, we don't get it wrong.