Causeless

Color me interested! Could it be "stickied", too?

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cagie

probably a good idea since that and oil changing are at the top of most do-it-yourselfers lists.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

Cadman

Trust me when I say do not put a lot of torque on the valve cover bolts. Don't even think about using an air ratchet. My little 20 year old taiwan 1/4" drive air ratchet snapped one right off. They break off flush with the cam carrier where they screw in. Not hard to fix, but when you have broken something on your new bike you feel really bad.

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flitecontrol

I was going to suggest it too. Real handy thing to have!

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

cagie

thread moved to How to and Tech Guides.

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Comments contained in my posts are not intended to cause physical or psychological stress and are mearly my two cents worth, and in this economy, that's cheap!
87 CMX250C 'the Pygmy Pony'
87 CMX450C 'Black Lithium'

jake_iv

I have seen a lot of posts about valve adjustment on various web sites but this is the best. http://www.*************/rebelforum/...&highlight=zep - go there - download the video and save it for future reference.

Now - ZEP is a great guy and very good at describing how to but some of you are REAL new to mechanics.

If you are using metric feeler gages the clearance is .05 mm to .10 mm. Honda calls for .002 in. to 004 in.

Adjusting the valve clearance requires a "feel" for the "drag" on a feeler gage. If you have never done this before - - - close your mouth, don't clamp your jaws, just close your mouth, now take your feeler gage or a piece of common typewriter paper (the feeler gage is less likely to cut your lips) - place it against your closed lips and draw it through your lips. This is the approximate "drag" that you should feel on a properly adjusted valve gap.

DO NOT try to adjust your valves to the minimum gap (o.002 in) The minimum gap means that any wear or extra heat on the head can reduce your valve tappet clearance to the point that you could burn your valve seats - and that means a new head!

It is very important that your bike cool down, out of direct sunlight for at least 24 hours before you try to adjust the valve tappet clearance. If you cannot possibly let your bike set that long try adjusting your valve clearance to .003 in to .005 in to allow for the effects of residual heat in the metal parts.

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jake_iv

I am new to this forum so don't know all of the hangups. But if you go to ************* and do a search under "ZEP" you can find a link to his video for adjust Rebel 250 valves.

Guess I am just not used to a site that is afraid to share knowledge with other searchers.

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jake_iv

contact jake_iv@juno for a link to a valve adjustment video.

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flitecontrol

Let's see if I was successful in copying it:http://www.aboutdean.com/images/subj.../reb_valve.wmv

Yep! Really good tutorial video. Thanks, jake_iv!

__________________
I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
Putting your bike info in your signature helps others help you!

jake_iv

Thanks for getting a link on the video up on the site. As a little add on, ZEP says that his mpg and top speed have both improved a little when he got all four valves properly gapped at .004 in and he has not noticed any increased tappet noise.

Since the 600 mile and 4000 mile service from a dealer can cost over $200 and this is the hardest part of the service, learning these techniques can save you a bundle. You might notice in the video that ZEP is using a low cost, spring blade torque wrench, I use a 3/8" drive "clicker" torque wrench that I picked up at Harbor Freight for less than $20, a 1/2" drive clicker wrench is also available for about $20. I have both.

In fact I just discovered that I have TWO 1/2" drive wrenches. If anyone wants one in a case for $20 plus shipping pm me and I'll give you the shipping cost to your address and you can pay my paypal account.

Don't forget to download and watch the video.

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