Question for the experts.

My VF1000R engine is difficult to adjust the valves.
To adjust the valves the entire valve cover must be removed.
Most motorcycles have a screw cap that is removable from the valve cover to adjust the valves.

I have an extra set of valve covers and wonder if it would be worth while to install threaded covers in the valve cover, for easy adjustment of the valves without taking the entire valve cover off.

 

Interesting thought. Were you thinking along the lines of the CB550-type round plugs, or were you going to fabricate your own with a few threaded fasteners ("flat" plates with screws)? I'd think it would be worth it if the valves needed frequent adjustment or the valve cover(s) were a major pain to remove/replace. But then again, I can be incredibly lazy at times. :biggrin:

 

I think from my experience as a mechanic at a Honda dealership that the first two valve adjustments are very important, but after that they do not seem to change very much. The worst thing is a valve that is tight.
If a relatively new bike was tuned up but would not idle well sometimes it could be caused by a tight valve.
That was rare though. The smaller engines needed more valve adjustments than the larger engines.

If I do decide to do the modification I would use a screw type plug with "o" ring like Honda uses. I would have to look at the thickness of the cover etc.,.

 

............not an expert here on anything, not even squirels, but

you're remembering those veteran, simple old school XS650s and CB750s of back in the days, Don??

Things have changed and mostly improved, and bikes are harder to work on all the time. Besides, removing the valve covers once a year is just a bit harder than grousing about them and keeps us out of the corner neighborhood bars.

Just changing sparkplugs on most of the newest bikes is tough. They need less maintenance, but are a bit harder to work on with more things more compact and tight when they do.

i'm still regretting the sad demise of carbs. lots of different FI issues here often enough to question reliability vs. carbs.

Given the advances in technology, it's a bit hard to justify keeping some antiques going if you do much riding, but it's always great to see them on the road. Maybe you'd need to ride the newest generation lightest top sport bikes that 24 year olds have on the roads now (and somewhere to ride it) to begin to understand how antiquated ANY '80s or '90s model or earlier age really is.

 

I agree with you there, squirrelman. To adjust the idle mixture screws on my SV650, the carbs need to be physically removed from the engine (so hope you get it right the first time). My hands are small and I have a heck of a time getting to all the various bits that need to come off. I do like modern bikes, but servicing is not easy.

I hate to say it, guys, but we're starting to sound like old farts... :smile:

Donald, I can't recall if I've seen this before or not, but if you could find existing valve covers from a different bike that had threaded plugs in it, you could always cut them off and weld them to your covers, especially since you've been welding since the world was flat. I realize there are associated difficulties to contend with, but at least you would have a threaded boss and plug "assembly" to work with.

 

His next project..............

 

I may go with that very idea.
I will post some photos.

 

I like the real thing. Power ,beauty, simplicity,ease of maintenience.
It is possible people. HONDA needs to get back to that.
Motorcycle by Ron Peck. (from the net)

 

Hell, even the 'new' Triumph Bonneville models are dead easy to work on in comparison with my VFKR or my 14-year old Trophy 3. I must say tho, unless the VFKR needs valve adjustments a LOT more often than my V65 Sabre did, I'm not going to need to spend much of my time on that task.

 

Don not to sound like a pessimist, though I will. I don't think a removable plug/section would work. I have a hard enough time getting under the rockers now without the vc. The valve stem tops sit low compared to the head walls now. I know the V65 Saber and I think Magna also, had a split vc on the rear heads. It separated just below the curve from top to side. They had to do that in order to get the rear vc off. Both pieces had to come off in order to adjust the valves.

Yes it would be nice to have adjustment like the old CB's had. The valve stuck up enough to do that. My old 79 CB750F had an easy bucket shim deal. Didn't have to remove the cams. Just push down on the bucket(special tool) and use a magnet to get shim out. Vc had to come off though.

Good luck to you. Let us know how you make out if you decide to do this.

 

Yes.. I understand.
What I really what to do is sell my engine, and buy a VTR1000 superhawk v twin engine.
Put that into my chopper. My engine is for sale now on the classifieds.
It would be perfect for someone doing a restoration. No problems just install the engine.