Valve Adjustment Pictorial

[Schming]

Almost the same...

...as our Elevens, but IMHO some good info and pics for those that have never done the job yet. Actually I did both my XS11 and XJ750 at the same time and swapped shims around on both engines as they are the same diameter

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29209.html

HTH

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Special

WOW, not only is my bike "Special" but I must be "Special" too. Am I the only one who can use this tool right out of the box on all 8 valves with no mods or problems

[crazy steve]

XSsiveone valve adjust

Yep, there's another one of those ground-on-to-make-fit MP tools....

[bikerphil]

my 5-year-old saw that pic and laughed his butt off

The kid's got a good sense of humor...

[DGXSER]

I have used the tool, it works. And it is a good choice if your changing one or two shims. IMO, if your changing out more than that, then for time purposes, I would use one method or another of the cam methods.

Not against the tool, just my experiences.

[xssiveone]

So.... who's going to post the picture tutorial with the MP tool?

Actually, I did one about 12 years ago. Haven't been active here for a long time but have been dropping in lately to have a peek around. Glad to see this forum is still going strong.

The web page I did needs updating, but I'm not sure I remember the password. Everything is there, but it's a bit of a mess.

XSsiveone valve adjust

[JasonRedbeard]

Beautiful write-up, Steve. The only thing I'd change is to add a note on the CCT adjustment to the end of it. I haven't done the shims on my bike yet, but it seems like that will be a critical step of the reassembly.

And Phil....my 5-year-old saw that pic and laughed his butt off.

[bikerphil]

Sorry, I couldn't help it, seeing how many people despise using that tool. Actually I use it myself.

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Prude

Hey, not being a prude, but, this is a family site, someone could be teaching their 5 year old how to do a valve adjustment

[bikerphil]

who's going to post the picture tutorial with the MP tool

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Cs

Hey CS, you know I have said you have been a huge help to me and many others on here But, you are very skilled and know these bikes inside and out. What seems easy to you can be scary to some who aren't, even dangerious to others who don't know all you do about don't skipping a tooth or setting a cct back right Your pic's and tutor's are great Just if some not so skilled tried them and For the pro's no problem, great stuff

[BA80]

Not having a bunch of shims on-hand

Pm me next time. I have quite a few.

So.... who's going to post the picture tutorial with the MP tool?

Probably someone who needs to adjust and can operate the tool.

[crazy steve]

..just sayin' that all that work to change 2-5 shims (which is about all that's needed usually) seems a bit counter productive.

To tell the truth, if I only had to change 1-2 shims, I'd 'fix' my MP tool and use it. I only did this one this way to get a look at the cam and cam journals (not knowing any 'history' on this motor) and to do this tutorial

But when I did my SG motor (again, no history), only one valve was within spec; all the rest were too tight. Not having a bunch of shims on-hand, and not wishing to have to remove/reinstall the other seven at least twice (once to find out the size, and again to put in the right size), I pulled both cams. As it turned out, I only needed to buy two shims, but with the cams out it was easy to swap the others around in one operation.

So.... who's going to post the picture tutorial with the MP tool?

[BA80]

Not knocking it Steve, just sayin' that all that work to change 2-5 shims (which is about all that's needed usually) seems a bit counter productive. Paticularly if you miscalculate the shim size and have to go back and correct yourself. Not to mention the other various things that could transpire during the process.

But, to each his own. I'll stick with the tool.

[crazy steve]

First, thanks to those who posted kind words.

Now, I'm not 'recommending' this method to anyone; I simply posted this to show how it's done if that's how you choose to do an adjustment.

Nice pictoral Steve. However, I have to say that, IMHO, that method is a bit complicated and there are a LOT of ways to screw up. Such as, bolts that could come loose, loosing cam timing, not to mention time consuming..

Greg, any valve adjustment method has it's pitfalls. I like this method for several reasons. One, it's a straight-through process; no multiple steps of moving the tool and rotating the motor back-and-forth to remove shims, with multiple chances for mistakes. Two, I like being able to see all the parts, making it easy to check for any problems. Particularly on a motor that I got in a non-running bike with an unknown history; sometimes a little 'extra' work early-on can save you problems later. I'm not known for my good luck (they called me 'Mr Lucky' at the last place I worked, 'cause I ain't...), so being very meticulous is my defense against that. Three, you don't need to have the 'special' tool or a on-hand supply of shims with this method; not everybody wants to spend the $12 for the tool or $100+ for a 'starter' set of extra shims. I do it this way, I can make one trip to get whatever shims I need (although I'm starting to get a small stock). No small thing when it's a 30 mile trip to the PO or 80 miles to a dealer...

Different people are comfortable with different methods, so pick the one that works for you...