engine adjustments etc.

[DeanR]

I've been reading all the great info posted here thru the winter months after getting my 80special (first bike, 33k mi.) at the end of last summer from my brother in law.This group has been a wealth of information. My question involves all the discussion about adjustment of such things as cam chain, carbs, valves etc. It ran great all fall, he tells me he has done very little in the way of adjustments over the years because it has run so well. I'm just wondering what is a good idea for me to be paying attention to at this point to keep it treating me well. Do you ignore things like these until it acts up a little or are these adjustments, cam chain etc. preventative. Thanks everyone

[skids]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it! (I'm talking carbs). Just prior to an oil change, put some Techron fuel system cleaner in the tank. If you haven't done it yet, it would be useful to install some inline fuel filters in it prior to the treatment, preferrably now. Clean the air filter if it needs it. Find out when the valve clearances were measured and adjusted last, and if it has been a long time, like 15K miles ago, it would be a good idea to to it. Synching the carbs is a good idea from time to time, but again, if the plugs look good and it runs well, I would not bother with that.

[fxrer]

Hi laxdad,

I too have an ‘80 SG (Special) with 33 k miles. Like Skids says, “if it ain’t broke……..” I have had the valves adjusted once (at 5 k miles) and they’ve been fine since. Cam chain doesn’t need “adjustment” unless you hear noise. Other regular maintenance is basically lube and fluid change - engine oil + filter(5 k mi), middle & final gear oils (5 k), fork oil (10 k), brake fluid (10 k).

Lube cables (2.5 k), swing arm bearings (10 k), brake pedal, cutch lever, kick and center stand, (2.5k), and drive shaft joint (2.5k).

The Clymer manual (still available on E-bay and other sources) spells out all the maintenance intervals and procedures.

Other than these basic items, not much else has to be done (except wear items like tires, brakes, air filter, battery, etc). You will find that, if you attend to the specified maintenance, these bikes will last for many more thousands of miles of trouble free riding.

Happy riding!

[DeanR]

fxrer, what kind of noise could you get from that cam chain and is there anything audible for the valves or is it just the measurements you have to take? thanks

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Laxdad,

A slinking or slapping kind of noise can come from a loose cam chain, and you DO want to do an adjustment on it, cause a loose chain can cause it to jump teeth at high rpm's, not a good thing! So...for peace of mind, a cam chain adjustment can't hurt, if done correctly!

The valves can give off a tapping noise that increases with engine speed, but these engines make a modest amount of noise that is normal. I rode my bike for about 9 years, and several 10's of K miles, never did anything to the carbs, or the valves for that matter.....I plead early ignorance for my shameful ways of long ago!! These engines are almost bullet proof, you can check the valve clearance without necessarily having to do the valve shim swap, if they are within spec, then you're good to go, just put the cover back on. If they aren't then you know you'll need to get the required tool, and find a shim swapping source before you start the adjustment process.

Yeah, Techroline or Sea Foam are good for the carbs to keep the passages cleaned out. Check and clean the battery contacts, and major power connectors, fuse block. Like they've said, aside from the routine oil and tire stuff, RIDE ON!!
T.C.