Adjusting the valve clearance of your motorcycle

The valve is one of the mechanical distribution parts of a motorcycle heat engine. It is he who regulates the flow of fresh air and fuel into the combustion chamber, as well as the release of air or burnt gas through the exhaust channel. It guarantees the correct operation of the engine, since it is he who separates the combustion chamber from the air intake and exhaust.

In other words, it is he who ensures the sealing of the combustion chamber during the compression and combustion phase of fresh air.

How do I adjust the valves on my motorcycle? Why check valve clearance? Find out how to do it adjusting the valve clearance of your motorcycle.

How a motorcycle valve works

When the motorcycle is in motion, the valves heat up to very high combustion temperatures (around 800 ° C), which causes the valve stem to expand and lengthen. This is what we call hot valve clearance... If we leave them as they are, the combustion chamber will not be tight enough, and therefore there will be a loss of compression and a decrease in calories from the exhaust, which in turn will lead to a loss of power.

This is the reason the cold play is needed. This allows close the valves completelythat will resume their role in the standards. However, if the backlash is too great, the rocker cover will emit frictional noises that will increase when the engine is cold. This will accelerate valve wear and engine aging. Therefore, it is necessary to balance the two games (hot and cold) for the engine to work properly.

The principle of adjusting the valve clearance of your motorcycle

In short, valve adjustment is about adjusting valve clearance, which does not work due to temperature fluctuations during use of the two-wheeled bike. it a forced operation that should be performed as often as possible and any good biker knows this. Also, to help you get your bearings, here are guidelines for adjusting valve clearance on a motorcycle.

Note: Adjusting motorcycle valve clearance requires some mechanical skill. So, if you are new to the field or don't know anything about the subject, it's best to get the services of a professional to avoid damaging your device.

Materials Required to Adjust Motorcycle Valve Lash

The motorcycle valve clearance is always adjusted when cold. Tools and tools needed for this: socket wrench, spacer set, ratchet, open-end wrench, screwdriver and sealant. Make sure they are completed before starting work.

Step 1: removing the parts located above the engine

The number of removable parts may vary from motorcycle to motorcycle, everything is indicated in the motorcycle manual. These include, among others:

• La saddles ;
• Le storage tank and everything that goes with it: the fuel hose, bolts, pull rod, fuel tap cable;
• Leintake and exhaust valve rocker coverwith all its components: breather pipe, bolts, spark plug cover.

Step 2: aligning the marks

The idea here is to turn the crankshaft counterclockwise (left) to get to neutral parking. In other words, it is necessary that the index is aligned with the T. this is top dead center where the piston is at the top of its compression stroke.

Follow the marks or guidelines for cam sprocket adjustment. Usually they should be facing outward and touching the cylinder head surface. If this is not the case, you must continue to rotate the crankshaft until the desired position is reached.

Step 3: adjusting valve clearance

For this step, refer to the manual for the relevant vehicle as it lists all the requirements for sufficient clearance for the intake and exhaust valves. In the case of an intake valve, the principle is to create a small set of gaskets at the intersection of the rocker arm and valve stem. If this is not normal (incorrect), loosen the locknut slightly and adjust the rocker screw to correct the problem.

As for the exhaust valve, the process is much the same except for the alignment of the marks. At top dead center, the gears should point inward, not outward as before.

Step 4: replace all removed organs and final maintenance

After adjusting the motorcycle valve clearance, everything must be returned to its place in the reverse order of removal. During assembly, and if you're in no rush, you can clean the parts and lubricate them if necessary. This will only improve their performance. Remember to coat the cutouts in the cylinder head with sealant to protect against friction and wear.