Valve Adjust Worksheet

[mostrobelle]

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. 

[Desmostro]

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

[mostrobelle]

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

[Popeye the Sailor]

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

My valves need adjusting. 

[Spidey]

I'm going to test it out on the FZR. 

Does the FZR have shims?

[mostrobelle]

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. 

[mostrobelle]

My valves need adjusting. 

fook off.   

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

[duckwrench13]

Does the FZR have shims?

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.

[mostrobelle]

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.   

[Spidey]

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.

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.

[Speeddog]

Shim under bucket, shims are #1:




Shim over bucket, shims are #74:

[Spidey]

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?

[mostrobelle]

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

[Speeddog]

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?

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. 

[Spidey]

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. 

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.