How to Adjust the Valves on a Royal Enfield Motorcycle
Use the kickstarter, with the motor cold., Start and ride the motorcycle., Set the piston at Top Dead Center just as you do to start the motorcycle., Open the tappet cover and remove the spindle that holds it., Try rotating each push rod with your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Use the kickstarter
Notice as you do whether the kicker just goes down without encountering very hard compression.
If so, the valves may be too tight.
If, part way down, the kicker comes to a point it takes effort to push past, the valves are not too tight.
Now we have to find out if they are too loose. , If the valves do not clatter more than seems reasonable, they are fine.
If there's a racket, they're too loose.
Now that the motor is warmed up, we're ready to adjust them., Watching for the instant the amp meter flicks back to center is a good way to do this (remember, the ignition switch and the kill switch have to be "on" for the amp meter to work)., That will give you more room to swing wrenches., You should be able to just make them turn.
If you can not make them move they are too tight.
If you can make them spin freely, they are too loose., You have to hold the top adjustment nut while you do this., Put another wrench on the bottom adjustment nut.
Turn the bottom nut counter-clockwise as viewed from above to loosen the valve.
To tighten the valve, turn the bottom adjustment nut clockwise as viewed from above.
Simple.
When satisfied, tighten the lock nut., Sorry, that's just the way it is, we're not dealing with computer chips here.
Getting the adjusters to just the right point where snugging up the lock night brings them to perfection takes even an expert a few tries., This is a matter of error and trial.
Don't set the valves the night before and wait to test them until your mates arrive for the big ride the next morning! -
Step 2: with the motor cold.
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Step 3: Start and ride the motorcycle.
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Step 4: Set the piston at Top Dead Center just as you do to start the motorcycle.
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Step 5: Open the tappet cover and remove the spindle that holds it.
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Step 6: Try rotating each push rod with your thumb.
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Step 7: Back off the lock nut on the valve you want to adjust.
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Step 8: Put one wrench on the top adjustment nut to hold it still.
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Step 9: Now do it all again because tightening the lock nut will make the valve tighter!
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Step 10: Start the motorcycle and go for a test ride.
Detailed Guide
Notice as you do whether the kicker just goes down without encountering very hard compression.
If so, the valves may be too tight.
If, part way down, the kicker comes to a point it takes effort to push past, the valves are not too tight.
Now we have to find out if they are too loose. , If the valves do not clatter more than seems reasonable, they are fine.
If there's a racket, they're too loose.
Now that the motor is warmed up, we're ready to adjust them., Watching for the instant the amp meter flicks back to center is a good way to do this (remember, the ignition switch and the kill switch have to be "on" for the amp meter to work)., That will give you more room to swing wrenches., You should be able to just make them turn.
If you can not make them move they are too tight.
If you can make them spin freely, they are too loose., You have to hold the top adjustment nut while you do this., Put another wrench on the bottom adjustment nut.
Turn the bottom nut counter-clockwise as viewed from above to loosen the valve.
To tighten the valve, turn the bottom adjustment nut clockwise as viewed from above.
Simple.
When satisfied, tighten the lock nut., Sorry, that's just the way it is, we're not dealing with computer chips here.
Getting the adjusters to just the right point where snugging up the lock night brings them to perfection takes even an expert a few tries., This is a matter of error and trial.
Don't set the valves the night before and wait to test them until your mates arrive for the big ride the next morning!
About the Author
Andrea Adams
Enthusiastic about teaching crafts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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