Camshaft lifter tool?

I had a 84/86 hybrid VF 500 about 15 years ago and ran into the issue with adjusting the valves with the "camshaft lifter tool".

Sadly, my 500 died an unfortunately death a few months later, and i never really got information about this mystery tool or service bulletin #SL13 from June 13, 1985. I have kept my factory service manual in hopes of someday getting another, but i would like to obtain info on this issue while someone still remembers it ( if some remembers it NOW ).

I DO know that it's impossible to adjust the valves properly on the 84-85 without it. I went through this with the dealer who said it wasn't necessary, yet the TONS of valve noise from my bike told me otherwise, and once they used it at my insistence, the noise went away.

Kinda spooky how the cams move around on those 84-85 bikes!

But what a sweet little streetbike those 500's were...

Anyway, searching didn't turn up anything, so if someone could enlighten me, i would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

There's a thread that has the info somewhere, I'll see if I can figure out which it is.

 

Thanks.
I searched myself, but could not find this specific subject.

 

Here it is:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/1st-2nd-generation-1983-1989/30834-valve-clearances.html

 

One of the few motorcycle mechanics i trust also said it wasn't needed, but mine rattled badly until it was used. It was quite an ordeal i went through with this...and it ultimately led to the demise of my poor 'ceptor. It's a long story I'll share when i have time....
Perhaps mine was on the loose end of tolerances for the cam caps......i dunno....
But firing the thing up and watching those cames move up and down with it running made it clear why the tool was needed.

Ton of Great info in those links guys...thanks again.

Did anyone find a source for the tool?

 

I'm thinking I have the need to agree that the tool is needed in some cases. I re-adjusted mine the other day and it still has a couple ticking.

 

David Silver Spares should be able to help you. They are a great source for hard to find OEM tools.

David Silver Spares - HOME

 

https://www.ronayers.com/Index.cfm
JUST PUT THE PART NUMBER IN AN IT WILL SHOW THE PART. YOU NEED TO REGISTER WITH THEM FOR YOUR DISCOUNT.

Thanks Toe the part came very greatfull!!!!:VFR1200F:
ordered mine today. Thanks for the info, I have the engine to finish when I recieve this tool..

 

Don't use the tool, two feeler gauges is the way to go. 20 years of owning VF's and I've never even seen the tool in real life - and I never plan to! I've never had an issue getting the clearances set correctly on any of my bikes.

 

I agree, two feeler gauges is the way to do it.

 

I already knew to use two feeler gauges with forked rockers. The bike still had valve train noise....but that wasn't the point of the lifter tool anyway.

Due to the design of the the cam caps on those bikes ( with an unsecured corner ), the cam would actually "ride-up" in the bores and deflect the cap ever so slightly when attempting to lift the valve. Obviously this wasn't a huge amount of movement, but it doesn't take much to throw off the lash enough to make noise, and it could actually be observed with the engine running with the cam covers off. That's why i made the comment about being "shocked" by the amount of movement in my first post. It still amazes me that these engines are as durable as they are. The tool was meant to duplicate this movement while setting the clearance.

The is supported by the fact that said mechanic said he didn't like using the tool because when used, the bike had "no clearance at all" when the lash was checked without it. It's also interesting that among most bike techs these bikes had a rep for lots of valve train noise, yet when the tool was used, mine was average...maybe on the loud end of average, so you've got to wonder how many spent their lives running too much lash...
...and then you see the TSB about valve pitting, and its rep for dropping valves ( what is one of the possible contributors to those two things? ) and using the tool, and things start to point in that direction even more.

The '86 bike had cam caps with bolts on the corners that didn't deflect, and didn't need the tool. One of my heads was an '86 head, this is why i called it a hybrid.

I also agree with the statement about some bikes needing this more than others, and mine could certainly have been on the sloppy end of the tolerances scale, and needed it more than most.

 

Is there a benefit to using the two feeler gauge method versus the factory tool?

 

Actually, the real reason is valve float at high rpm on abused engines.

I think the general consensus of people "in the know" is to not use the tool. That was a stop-gap during the time that Honda was denying there was any top end issues with the V4's. They later came clean but left some dirty laundry that still hangs on the clothes line.

 

There seems to be some confusion here....

The two feeler gauge method isn't unique to this situation. Any time you adjust clearance on an engine with forked rockers, you use two feeler gauges. This is to simulate the "load" that the rocker would normally have during a valve lift...IE- to keep it from rocking slightly on its shaft during adjustment and giving false clearances.

The "Camshaft lifter tool" is meant to address a different issue with the 84-85 engines...that of cam deflection during operation that results in excessive clearance despite what the feeler gauges say. Even if you use this tool, you should still be using two feeler gauges to set the lash.

The tool was, at very best, a band-aid fix to a poor design. The real fix was what happened with the 86 head....a much more rigid design for the cam caps, and tighter tolerances due to the align-boring of the cam journals. If i had the opportunity, i would certainly take an '86 over the earlier models, or consider swapping '86 heads to minimize issues.

If you can get get your valves to "sound" right without the tool, the you should certainly go for it....it is a very mickey-mouse procedure that probably introduces other issues when used ( like tight valves or possible high cam wear ). Mine clearly needed it to be right.

 

Thanks for the post DGrider. I do have the Factory tool - purchased through David Silver Spares. Next time I set the valve lash I'll give this a go with two feeler gauges.

 

I think the question being posed here is this: should the special tool be used or not? I've known quite a few V4 guys over the years, some have tried it and some have not. Those who have tried to use it found 1) it was cumbersome and difficult to use correctly and 2) the valve clearance ended up being incorrect and the bike did not run right. Of the guys who have worked on these bikes for more than 15-20 (like myself) I do not know of any who use the special tool.

I'm not sure there is one right answer, I suppose each person has to decide what is best for them. This is America!