Valve cover removal

[pbjman]

So do you guys usually have to remove your fairings to do the valves? Mine seems to be blocking me from getting the valve cover out. Any cheats or shortcuts for that?

[motoman]

So do you guys usually have to remove your fairings to do the valves? Mine seems to be blocking me from getting the valve cover out. Any cheats or shortcuts for that?

No cheats or shortcuts. Unplug the fairing, remove the four bolts attaching it to the mount and lift it off there......10min. job at worst. The front center valve cover allen bolt may give U a few fits removing, but doable.

[pbjman]

So do you remove the fairing from the steel brackets (6 bolts) or remove the bracket from the bike (4 bolts but two of them are in the front of the steering head and will be hard to get at with the fairing in the way)? Either way looks to be kind of a bugger. Mine looks like even if I pull the fairing from the brackets, a heavy bracket will still be sticking out over the valve cover. Plus, in addition to the main plug there are several other wires running individually. UGH.

BTW...anyone know if this looks like original factory touring gear?[IMG][/IMG]

[motoman]

So do you remove the fairing from the steel brackets (6 bolts) or remove the bracket from the bike (4 bolts but two of them are in the front of the steering head and will be hard to get at with the fairing in the way)? Either way looks to be kind of a bugger. Mine looks like even if I pull the fairing from the brackets, a heavy bracket will still be sticking out over the valve cover. Plus, in addition to the main plug there are several other wires running individually. UGH.

BTW...anyone know if this looks like original factory touring gear?[IMG][/IMG]

Wasn't 'factory', but dealer added options. The only model that came dressed from factory was the 81 Venturer 1100. Your fairing/lowers are Pacifico, so the mounting bracket(s) is a bit different than the one used for Vetter designed fairings, so bracket assembly may very well interfere with clearing it and top of cams. I'm sure someone with a Pacifico mount will chime and answer any questions. BTW, nice lookin' dresser that Special was turned into(Standards were the usual models dressed out).

[natemoen]

Wasn't 'factory', but dealer added options. The only model that came dressed from factory was the 81 Venturer 1100. Your fairing/lowers are Pacifico, so the mounting bracket(s) is a bit different than the one used for Vetter designed fairings, so bracket assembly may very well interfere with clearing it and top of cams. I'm sure someone with a Pacifico mount will chime and answer any questions. BTW, nice lookin' dresser that Special was turned into(Standards were the usual models dressed out).

That is not the Yamaha offered pacifico and sure looks like a Vetter fairing to me. Unless it is some different model of pacifico.

[motoman]

That is not the Yamaha offered pacifico and sure looks like a Vetter fairing to me. Unless it is some different model of pacifico.

Definitely not a Vetter Nathan.......crowned front over headlight, straight across lower windshield configuration.......yup, Pacifico.

[skids]

I think that there are a number of different faring brackets that are possible. Get some help removing the faring because it is front-heavy. With mine (at least one of them), I need to remove the faring bracket. The ballast resistor (if you have one on non-81's) needs to be removed as well. Depending one the mounting of the horn(s) it may also need to be removed. It is a bit tough lifting the cover over the cam sprockets and removing it. Be kind of careful with the gizmo that guides the throttle cable.

[motoman]

Thinkin' your correct Nate, that not being a Pacifico, even tho very similar. Sides looked dished, and lowers are a birt different than Pacifico. Very definitely not a Vetter in any configuration though. Sidecases and chrome hardware are year correct though. Tail trunk is also Yamaha Accessories correct as is the back-rest, and front fender change.

[natemoen]

Might not be Vetter but definitly not the Yamaha pacifico that was offered for the early xs11's.

[pbjman]

update

Hi again everyone and thanks for the replies.
My fairing says 'West Wind' on one of the removable panels, if that helps with identification?

Here's an update. I have removed the fairing. It was "sandwiched" on both sides with steel brackets above and below it, with two bolts on each side. The upper bracket arms extend from a central point that bolts straight into the steering head with two bolts. I loosened those two bolts without removing them, which allowed me to pivot the upper bracket and get enough room for sliding the fairing out. The lower bracket bolts into the front of the frame tubes in two places above the crash bar, I also loosened those two bolts to allow pivoting of the lower bracket upward and got just BARELY enough room to wiggle the valve cover out to the right hand side. I did not have to remove the horn or ballast resistor but I did have to tug on the throttle cable, clutch cable, and wiring harness to get them clear as I pulled out the valve cover. I would dread having to do this every 5000 miles to check valve shims, i'll probably stretch it to 7000 or so because it's already at 17000 miles, I don't think they will be moving that much.
Your thoughts?

[pbjman]

And it has the "Yamaha Parts Distributors, Inc" metal serial number tag that the toggle switch and the wiring harness plug into.


Surprisingly few google results on 'west wind motorcycle fairing'. Maybe it's RARE and VALUABLE!! Bidding starts at $5,000!! Lol

[bikerphil]

You don't need to adjust your valves every 5000 miles, I check mine every 50,000, YMMV.

[natemoen]

Sounds a lot like the pacifico fairing mount, whis is a very good mount, just kinda of difficult to work with though.

[pbjman]

update on project bike status

So I got all the shims swapped and the valve clearances are now within spec. I used the motion pro tool that has always served me well on my XJ650, but was a bugger on my XS11 until I reamed out the holes, then it worked great.

Anyway, 6 of 8 valve clearances were off. My intakes were .11, .13, .14, and .13 when they should be .16-.20. The outer two exhaust were .20 and the inner two were at ok .24, correct spec is at 21-.25.
My compression test results were 120, 120, 120, 125.

After shimming my intakes are .18, .18, .20, .17.
My exhausts are now .23, .24, .24, .23.
My compression re-test (cold/dry) is now 130, 130, 128, 135.

Now I think I'm ready to proceed. I need to rebuild the leaky petcocks (and octy) and clean the carbs. Any thoughts on the compression numbers or suggestions on which petcock / carb kits to get?

[DGXSER]

I have always got my carb kits and petcock kits from Georgefix on ebay. Worked out really well for me.

As for your compression numbers, they look pretty good especially on a cold engine, the factory spec of 142 +/-10% is on a warmed up engine. So your in spec at least. If the bike sat for any length of time, it will only improve as you run it and the rings have a chance to re-seat.