Valve Clearance: Adjustments

Valve Clearance Check

WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure, REFER to Safety Warnings . Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

General Procedure

1. Remove the valve cover. REFER to Valve Cover .

2. Remove the RH (Right Hand) fender splash shield. REFER to Fender Splash Shield .

3. NOTE: Turn the engine clockwise only, and only use the crankshaft bolt.

NOTE: Before removing the camshafts, measure the clearance of each valve at base circle, with the lobe pointed away from the tappet. Failure to measure all clearances prior to removing the camshafts will necessitate repeated removal and installation and wasted labor time.
Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance of each valve and record its location.





4. NOTE: The number on the valve tappet only reflects the digits that follow the decimal. For example, a tappet with the number 0.650 has the thickness of 3.650 mm (0.144 in).

NOTE: The nominal clearance is:
- intake: 0.25 mm (0.0098 in).
- exhaust: 0.36 mm (0.0142 in).

NOTE: The acceptable clearances after being fully installed are:
- intake: 0.19 mm (0.007 in) to 0.31 mm (0.012 in).
- exhaust: 0.30 mm (0.012 in) to 0.42 mm (0.017 in).

NOTE: Select tappets using this formula: tappet thickness = measured clearance + the existing tappet thickness - nominal clearance.
Select the closest tappet size to the ideal tappet thickness available and mark the installation location.

5. If any tappets do not measure within specifications, install new tappets in these locations. REFER to Valve Tappets .