Good helper

[atlthrux]

It was warm out today & I had a few minutes, so I did my first solo valve adjustment. Putting everything back together, I discovered my fingers don't fit to get that one fastener on. I had to call in reinforcements.

On the right side, the ticking I'd heard was gone...for a couple of minutes. But it returned, so I'll go back in tomorrow when I have more time. I'm guessing I didn't tighten the locknut tight enough?

[Big Bamboo]

Future Airhead owner! Properly adjusted valves do tick, but also, the valve train does get louder when warm. How's your rocker end play?

[Clay Spinner]

I don't have a choice... he just grabs a wrench and starts loosening things!

[disston]

When we adjust the rocker valve lash we are thinking of the space between the rocker tip and the valve tip. This is the part we set the lash of. The rocker also has up and down movement or can slide on it's shaft up and down. This should be set as close as possible to zero.

If my valves don't make any noise I think I'm overdue for an adjustment. Another vote for they should tick.

[Beater]

Fantastic George. I had a helper ... and then she discovered the 'American Girl' doll collection.

[atlthrux]

Noob oversight. I'll check that tomorrow.
Both sides tick, but the right is definitely louder, a more 'metallic' sound.

Originally Posted by Big Bamboo

...How's your rocker end play?

[atlthrux]

Ok thanks -- I'll read up on that adjustment. I thought I read somewhere that you do want just enough space that you can see a tiny bit of oil move in&out of the gap.

Originally Posted by disston

...The rocker also has up and down movement or can slide on it's shaft up and down. This should be set as close as possible to zero.

If my valves don't make any noise I think I'm overdue for an adjustment. Another vote for they should tick.

[brittrunyon]

Originally Posted by Big Bamboo

Future Airhead owner! Properly adjusted valves do tick, but also, the valve train does get louder when warm. How's your rocker end play?

Not to hijack,,,,,,,,,but

What are you referring to "rocker end play"?

I've adjusted my valves for 10 years, so I guess it's about time I addressed the bike's "rocker end play".
Where is there instructions to do this?
Is the procedure in Clymers?

Got No Helper

[Big Bamboo]

Originally Posted by brittrunyon

Not to hijack,,,,,,,,,but

What are you referring to "rocker end play"?

I've adjusted my valves for 10 years, so I guess it's about time I addressed the bike's "rocker end play".
Where is there instructions to do this?

What year bike do you have brittrunyon ? The procedure varies depending... More info here: http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/valve/index.htm http://largiader.com/tech/rockers/

[brittrunyon]

Originally Posted by Big Bamboo

What year bike do you have brittrunyon ? The procedure varies depending... More info here: http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/valve/index.htm http://largiader.com/tech/rockers/

Thanks for the link!

My bike's a 92 so I guess I don't have to worry about end play, from Duane's write up it's for older bikes.

[Bigger Al]

Nice to see another generation of Airhead wrenches is being trained!

Two things to remember:

1.) Tappy valves are happy valves And

2.) Loud valves save lives.

Like disston, I go in and check the clearances when I don't hear as much tickety-tick.

[atlthrux]

Wait, huh? I don't see that's what he's saying. From Anton's description, on '85 and later, "..rocker endplay is set with shims...". That says (to me) you can have end play on your '92.

Originally Posted by brittrunyon

Thanks for the link!

My bike's a 92 so I guess I don't have to worry about end play, from Duane's write up it's for older bikes.

[Airhead Wrangler]

On all airheads you want zero endplay on the rockers, but not tight enough that they bind. pre '85 you just pinched the rocker blocks together as you tighten the cylinder stud nuts. Post '85 you have to eliminate end play by using the proper shims, but pinching the rocker blocks can help if they happen to be a loose fit in the head.

[Big Bamboo]

I have worked on a 1990 R100 that had a shim fail and chew up the black bushing, resulting in lots of play! It's worth a check.

[brittrunyon]

Thanks for straightening me out on "end play".............

But back on track about "Good helper"..........

I once had a cat clean out all the mice from a tank bag that had sat on a shelf all winter, sorry no photo.........