Valve Adjustment question

[Nomad]

I'm trying to adjust my valves myself, I only got to checking one cylinder today because I'm not sure of the exact 'feel' for the feeler gauges to get the right fit, so I triple checked my measurements, if not quadruple...
Here is my problem:
On my vertical cylinder intake valve my opener measured at (I think) a little tight on the .005 and really easily on the .004.  So I'm calling that a .0045, which is close enough to not be too bad.  However, I measured my opener at roughly .0075.  That is way way waaay out of spec.  Am I missing something obvious and doing it wrong, or is it possible my valves are that out of spec?
The exhaust measured at .004 on the opener and .007 on the closer.  I guess my closers are just completely shot?  Any advice or reinforcement greatly appreciated.

[ducpainter]

How are you measuring the closer?

Typically with closers that loose your openers would also be out of spec.

Regarding the feel of the gauge, if the feeler gauge will slide back and forth with out bending that should be your number. If the gauge binds up and buckles/bends it's big.

[Buckethead]

Bookmarked.

[Nomad]

Measuring the closer by pushing down on the rocker arm with a screwdriver, putting the feeler gauge in, and subtracting by the measurement I got for the opener.  Trying my best to follow the Ducati tech videos, but I've screwed things up in the past by going quickly, so trying to take this slowly and make sure I'm doing it right.

[Slide Panda]

What method are you using to get your closer gap size BTW? Also are the belts on, or off?

Chris Kelly of ca-cycleworks put up some good videos on checking valves on 2v ducs.

[Nomad]

What method are you using to get your closer gap size BTW? Also ate the belts on, or off?

Chris Kelly of ca-cycleworks put up some good videos on checking valves on 2v ducs.

Yup, following Chris Kelly's videos, belts are on, but I will take them off before I actually take the shims themselves off to measure them.

[Slide Panda]

To really get to it, you should probably take the belts off and measure again. That way you can ensure the arms are not pressing on the cams at all - possibly giving you a mis-read.

Donnie Unger, of DucPond near-ish to me does a class on valve checks and he recommends that measurements be taken with the belts off. Since he's gotten a number of 'top-tech' awards from Ducati, it's probably sage advice.

[Nomad]

I will try that then, planning on replacing the belts anyway.  I also may have been at the 'wrong' TDC, will double check that.  But not sure how both my closers could measure .005 past the largest spec if something weird wasn't going on.

[ducpainter]

I will try that then, planning on replacing the belts anyway.  I also may have been at the 'wrong' TDC, will double check that.  But not sure how both my closers could measure .005 past the largest spec if something weird wasn't going on.

Like I said, for the closers to be that loose your openers should be almost 0 clearance.

You need to be careful when using a screwdriver to push down on the valve. It is possible to push past the assist spring and actually flex the closing rocker which will give you a larger reading.

+1 on having the belts off to measure.

[Nomad]

Like I said, for the closers to be that loose your openers should be almost 0 clearance.

You need to be careful when using a screwdriver to push down on the valve. It is possible to push past the assist spring and actually flex the closing rocker which will give you a larger reading.

+1 on having the belts off to measure.

I was pushing fairly hard... any advice now how much pressure is enough... guess that wouldn't translate well to text, but I think anything would help at this point.

[ducpainter]

I was pushing fairly hard... any advice now how much pressure is enough... guess that wouldn't translate well to text, but I think anything would help at this point.

It's hard to describe, and I don't do it that way. If when pushing you really try to feel when the valve stops moving that might help. It will also help if you use the method below to gauge how hard to push.

I was taught to use the heel of my hand to determine if there is clearance. You can't really flex the rocker with your hand, and since I'm shooting for 0 closer clearance I use that and drag on the cam when rotating to make sure I don't end up with negative closer clearance. That is a very bad thing.

Just don't get frustrated and give up. It's not that hard and just takes patience.

I strongly recommend you remove the belts. It will allow you to develop feel more easily, and check your results by the drag, or lack of it, on the cam.

[uclabiker06]

Xarlo, just as I suspected: You are pushing down too hard on the rockers (which is what I did the first time).  TAKE YOUR TIME and just take your belts off to measure the closers.  This isn't something you want to rush. Don't sweat it, your doing great.

[K3V1N]

I think this thread may have answered my question above. I think the closer that I thought was too big was me pushing too hard. it was the top front and you can get a lot of leverage on it compared to the other valves.

Here are my notes from my last service they may help.
http://620monster6kservice.blogspot.com/

[Nomad]

Thanks guys, time has been short, all i've managed to get done since I started this is take the belts off real fast then had to run again.  I'll dive back in tomorrow and see how that effects things

[Nomad]

Well I took my belts off and tried again... no real difference.
Have only gotten to my vertical intake so far because I'm getting a little frustrated.
I measure the intake opener again at .0055.
Now either my closer is right on, or extremely loose, it is impossible for me to tell because I have nothing to judge it against.  If I press lightly, I can't get any bigger feelers on top of the opener.  If I press harder, the harder I press the bigger feelers I can get in.  But there is no point at which there is a different feeling which would let me know I'm flexing the arm vs. getting the correct reading.
I can spin the closer shim with my fingers without putting pressure on the arm, it takes a little effort.  With some pressure it spins freely, if this helps at all.
Thoughts?