Valve Adjustment feel on an old honda

puttockc

puttockc

Well-known member
Hey All,


I have a 1990 VTR250 Intercepter that I have done the valves on and I think I did them too tight..... or too loose....

I am not sure, just from descriptions how it should feel.

It was be amazing if someone who knows what they are doing for sure would come by and show me the correct tightness, I am a one minute ride yonge and bloor.

would really not take any time, I can have it ready and waiting, all you would have to do is slide in the feeler gauge and turn the screw on one valve, I can do the rest based on your example.

It is the screw and lock nut type of valves.


thanks in advance


-Christopher
 
It sounds like you're 99% of the way there yourself. I've never done an adjustment with locknut-type adjusters, but you should still be able to slide the feeler gauges in AFTER you've tightened the adjusters. If you can slide the gauge in, it fits. No two ways about it.
 
When adjusting the valve first loosen but do not remove the locking nut. Adjust the clearance so the correct feeler gauge can just slide in and out but with some resistance. The next thicker gauge should not have enough room to fit. Hold the screw from moving with the screw driver and tighten the lock nut with the wrench. Remeasure to make sure the adjustment screw did not move while tightening the lock nut. A fraction of a turn of the adjustment screw has an effect on the clearance.

Did you confirm with your service manual the proper clearance?
http://www.agweb.com/assets/1/6/Honda_VTR_250_Interceptor_Ch3.pdf

Full manual, chapter by chapter.
http://commutervtr.blogspot.ca/p/resources.html
 
Last edited:
Did you insert the feeler gauge between the adjusting screw and valve stem?

Did you follow all the steps in the manual, under section 3-7 (Valve Clearance)?

Can you take a picture to show where you are inserting the feeler gauge?
 
Last edited:
its the top part, the screw, that moves up to allow the feeler there
valve.jpg

Also I am aware the engine is on the wrong mark in this pic, I had it in the correct place on the compression stroke during valve adjustment
 
Yep that's the right place.

You slide in the 0.17mm (metric), or 0.007in (imperial), feeler gauge between the adjusting screw and valve stem. It should slide in and out but with some resistance, and the next size up should not. Otherwise, adjust and remeasure. Remeasure again just to be sure, then put it all back together!
 
Put your feeler gauge in the middle of a phone book (hope you have one of those).That is how much pressure you want.
 
thank you everyone, but I still don't know because I find "some resistance" really vague... I am going to see if anyone I know has a phone book.....

when I pull out the gauge, I here a 'Click' as the valve screw come back down on the valve top
 
Video showing how to check the valve clearance, so you can visualize. Hope it helps.

Note: different bike, different clearance specs
Start video at 6m20s for part on checking clearance

[video=youtube;Imh-fcufX_U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Imh-fcufX_U&t=6m20s[/video]

Note: different bike, different clearance specs
Start video at 6m20s for part on checking clearance
 
Last edited:
puttockc said:
thank you everyone, but I still don't know because I find "some resistance" really vague... I am going to see if anyone I know has a phone book.....

when I pull out the gauge, I here a 'Click' as the valve screw come back down on the valve top
Click to expand...

Yep its pretty vague. You can only feel from experience

Sent from my tablet using my paws
 
puttockc said:
thank you everyone, but I still don't know because I find "some resistance" really vague... I am going to see if anyone I know has a phone book.....

when I pull out the gauge, I here a 'Click' as the valve screw come back down on the valve top
Click to expand...

can you put the gauge back in?
 
Are you supposed to check them with the piston at TDC (top dead centre) or some other criteria? Almost sounds like there is no gap to check.
 
GDM said:
Are you supposed to check them with the piston at TDC (top dead centre) or some other criteria? Almost sounds like there is no gap to check.
Click to expand...

puttockc said:
yeah up a few sizes still fits in, I push, the screw lifts, and lets it in, not just the screw though, the whole rocker arm or whatever
Click to expand...

you don't want to force the gauge in, you're measuring the gap.
 
So to be clear, when at rest, at top dead center of the compression stroke, the valve screw should not touch the valve and there is literally a gap?

Oh ****..... I better do that today
The forward cylinder is way too tight


this has a very similar arrangement, with the pin under the screw being on a spring. this is the confusing part for me
[video=youtube;_XijWSU5Exw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XijWSU5Exw[/video]


Should the spring under the adjustment screw, on the cam follower, which contacts the valve, be fully compressed when I measure?
 
Last edited:
puttockc said:
So to be clear, when at rest, at top dead center of the compression stroke, the valve screw should not touch the valve and there is literally a gap?
Click to expand...
Yes, that is correct. There should be a gap of 0.17mm (metric), or 0.007in (imperial).

Read and follow the manual sections 3-7 and 3-8, word for word, and you should be good to go!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom