Valve Adjustment

[Colin24]

With winter firmly in place here in the Great White North I figured it was a good time to do a valve check and adjust. The bike has 36,000 kilometers on it and at the end of last season I was detecting the slightest hint of a tapping noise developing.

I am not convinced or panicking about it being the dreaded "tick". But I figured the wise thing to do would be to check and adjust the valves since I am now in the interval where they need doing (recomended is 40,000 km).

So I've stripped the bike down and now have the rocker arm cover off. I hope to do the "check" part of the process in the next few days. A review of the manual indicates the need for a special tool to remove the shims.

My question is this: How important is it to have the "Valve Lapper" tool (90890-04101) when I go to change shims? Is this a tool I should have in my toolbox or can a reasonably competent mechanic pop the caps off without it?

- Colin

 

[markjenn]

I doubt it is necessary. I haven't done my FJR, but I've adjusted shim-under-bucket valves on many other bikes and getting the bucket out was never an issue that required special tools. Typically, I've used a magnetic pickup tool or simply finessed it out with my fingernails.

- Mark

 

[RTSR1/FJR]

With winter firmly in place here in the Great White North I figured it was a good time to do a valve check and adjust.  The bike has 36,000 kilometers on it and at the end of last season I was detecting the slightest hint of a tapping noise developing.
I am not convinced or panicking about it being the dreaded "tick".  But I figured the wise thing to do would be to check and adjust the valves since I am now in the interval where they need doing (recomended is 40,000 km).

So I've stripped the bike down and now have the rocker arm cover off.  I hope to do the "check" part of the process in the next few days.  A review of the manual indicates the need for a special tool to remove the shims.

My question is this:  How important is it to have the "Valve Lapper" tool (90890-04101) when I go to change shims?  Is this a tool I should have in my toolbox or can a reasonably competent mechanic pop the caps off without it?

- Colin

You only need a strong pencil magnet to remove the buckets. Usually the shim will stay with the bucket and magnet.

 

[Rogue]

I haven't read the valve adjustment instructions but when I was a mechanic the valve lapping tool we used was a stick with suction cups on each end. I can see how this could be used to pull the bucket off so a magnet would work as well.

 

[Ramblin Man]

I used a shop magnet pick-up tool to get the buckets and shims. Every bucket I had to pull, the shim stayed with it.

Ya that tool is a must.

Also, do yourself a favor and get a METRIC feeler gague. Screwing around with converting to metric after measuring the clearance is a pain in the ass.

 

[Geezer]

I haven't read the valve adjustment instructions but when I was a mechanic the valve lapping tool we used was a stick with suction cups on each end. I can see how this could be used to pull the bucket off so a magnet would work as well.

It is just a stick with suction cups. Very inexpensive too. I see them at most auto parts stores for around $5.00. I don't know if the suction cups on the auto ones have a small enough diameter for motorcycle use.

 

[DugMana]

I bought the small $2 lapper tool with a wooden handle from an automotive supply house, worked well but had to cut it down to size to get a good suction on the 1 & 4 exhaust lifters. However, after further discussions the magnet is a much better choice since it's possible when using the lapper tool for the shim to drop from under the lifter and fall into the engine. I consider myself lucky! A magnet would be my recommendation.