I'm planning on doing a valve adjustment in the near future, as the bike is WAY past due to get one. I've never done a valve adjustment before, and I'm wondering if anybody has any idea how involved this is? I've heard some horror stories, but my Haynes manual makes it seem pretty simple. One thing though, I don't have a garage to work in, so I'd basically be taking the head covers off in my apartment parking lot. Is this a hard enough job that I'd just be better off taking it to the shop?

Thanks,
Fisher

 

depends if you think you can get it done in one day.

You'll be taking the rad and everything out, so its going to take at least a few hours.

If you dont feel totally comfortable, I would take it to a shop for the valves.

 

if you've never checked and adjusted valves before. this bike isn't the easiest one to learn on. even with the radiator removed, it will be a tight fit. i adjusted my valves with the engine out and it was still tight getting the feeler gauges for a few valves.

plan on it taking all day. removing everything is half the work. clean around the valve cover before you remove it, to not not dirt inside the head. take your time checking and adjusting the valves, you have a .002" tolerance. you got to have the right feel on the gauge, a nice snug fit. turn the motor over a couple times and recheck the valves to make sure everything is ok. put it back together and you should be good to go.

if you dont get everything adjusted, atleast bolt the valve cover back on and finish where you left off. i'd expect the dealer to charge atleast $250 to adjust valves.

 

How do you turn the motor over, with the ignition?
And what kinda bad stuff should you be looking for when you do?

 

you remove a plug on the side of the engine case. this is the crankshaft. you remove another plug to see the timing mark on the flywheel. turn the nut on the crankshaft with a wrench to line the timing mark with the pointer, and the engine will be at TDC.
you want to look for loose or tight valves, and make sure the cam chain looks ok.
BE CAREFULL NOT TO OVER TIGHTEN THE SMALL TIMING PLUG.

 

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/fo...threadid=85499

 

While that is an awesome write up, the hurricane does not use shims, we are a tappet adjust on the top of the rocker, all you need is a flat head screwdriver and a small wrench to adjust them. As well as a feeler gauge. We have a center driven cam chain as well. So you don't have to pull the cam caps off to adjust it.

 

you dont need to pull the carbs to adjust the valves? the link shows you how to find TDC, find the loose rockers, and check the closed valves. the adjustable tappets are convenient for the do it yourselfer.