Ducati Monster Forum

Long story made short:  ran across this on BARF.  A potentially neat and tidy way of keeping your valve adjustments tracked for those of you that do it yourselves.  I'm going to test it out on the FZR.  Just did the valves on the Duc not too long ago, but never have done a Japanese bike.  Should be interesting.  I'm a little nervous actually.  I'm doing it with a friend for the first time. 

http://www.jcsantilli.com/valves_adjustment.swf (http://www.jcsantilli.com/valves_adjustment.swf)

cool. I think i want to try that one day.

I think the 4 valvers are a bit more challenging, but I'm kind of curious to try it, too.

My valves need adjusting.  ;)

Does the FZR have shims?

I think the FZR has a hamster and wheel.  I honestly don't know, but I'm leaning towards a "yes."  I've got a cycling buddy/former FZR400 rider helping me with this first go 'round. 

fook off.   [cheeky]

How's the new house?  PM me with that.  Don't pollute my thread with your bacon-riddled homestead talk. 

If it's like most Japanese 4's, it should be shim and bucket. I forget if they're shim over or under the bucket. Basically it's an aspirin or nickel sized shim.

This thing is like 80 yrs. old.  It probably has some bark and horse hair shimming and holding everything together.   [laugh]

How do shim under/over bucket valves work?  I've done EX250 valves (screw and nut that adjust the clearance between the rocker arm and the valve -- they go out of spec all the time) and Desmo (of course).  I googled a bit and couldn't figure it out.

Shim under bucket, shims are #1:

(http://www.geocities.com/sl_mille/images/valves0.gif)


Shim over bucket, shims are #74:

(http://www.myisuzuparts.com/images/Trooper%2098-02/Print/0-14b.gif)

Thanks, Nick.  So the clearance for shim under bucket is measured between cam lobe and bucket?  For over bucket between shim and lobe?  How are the buckets held on?

Dare I take photos of NORMAL valves and post them up when I'm done?  Will do if folks are interested. 

Yes, clearance for shim under bucket is between cam and bucket.
Shim over bucket, between shim and lobe.

Shim under bucket; usually the shim goes in a little pocket in the bucket, sometimes in a pocket in the valve spring retainer.
Shim over bucket, it goes in a little pocket.

Neat thing about shim over bucket, if you overrev and float the valves, the cam can kick the shim out like a bullet.
Then the cam and bucket destroy themselves.  [thumbsup]

Yeah, I was thinkin' about that.  Desmo can be a mess if you screw it up because the tolerances are so tight, but there seems like there's a lot more potential slop in the shim/bucket configuration.  Make engine go boom. 

Sorry, H.  Jacked your thread.  I'd love to see pics.

No worries, mang...it's not like I was really emotionally invested in this thread.   [laugh]  Carry on.  The discussion is interesting.  [thumbsup]

So do the buckets just sit on top of the valve? And changing shims, you have to yank the cams?

What is the screw and nut type called? And why cant they all be like that?

So do the buckets just sit on top of the valve? And changing shims, you have to yank the cams?

Yep, the bucket sits on top of the valve.

If it's a shim over bucket, sometimes you can push down on the bucket with a special tool, fish the shim out and replace.

Shim under bucket, you definitely need to pull the cams.


What is the screw and nut type called?

The screw and nut type are used on rocker-arm motors, they're termed lash adjusters (at least that's what I call em).


And why cant they all be like that?

Depends how the manufacturer likes to do it, and to some extent what's required of the motor.

uh oh...I think that the FZR is shim UNDER bucket.  I've been reading online...have heard rumors about practically pulling the engine to do the valves.  That might be why.  Ugh. 

Cuz they require more frequent adjustment.

I love how everyone complains about Duc valves when doing valves on any bike is a PITA.  The only thing about a Duc is the frequency.  And once the engine on a Duc is broken in, you're more likely to be checking valves than actually changing out shims. 

*Ahem* Boxer.  ;)


Because that's not a pain in the ass? Current bike I'm in the market for has a scheduled valve adjustment every 26K. That's more like it.

That's the benefit you get from settling for a lesser machine. ;D

Tell me that again when i'm on the road while you adjust your valves  ;)

Of course that's a PITA.  I was talking about how the masses think that Ducs need valve checks and other bikes don't.  And how people talk about how difficult and involved valve checks are on a Duc when they are on most bikes. 

Jeebus, are you about to become one of those annoying BMW converts?   [roll]  Yes, BMWs are fine machines, and Ducs are ridiculous and only retards ride them.

I'm buying a 250cc yamaha, so, no.