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Message started by adberns on 07/18/11 at 09:00:18

Title: Help calm my tight valve fear?
Post by adberns on 07/18/11 at 09:00:18

Hi, all -

as you read from my story, I adjusted valves this weekend. Went pretty well, thanks to all the info here. Before, the cam chain tensioner was shot, so it was loud. Now, it's quiet. Like really quiet. I can hear a very slight ticking on the top end. We adjusted the valves to 0.004. Rotated the engine multiple times and rechecked. They were all easy to get a 0.004 in to (no binding, etc.).

With everyone talking about tappy valves, I am now worried that they are overtightened. Wouldn't we really have had to mess up to overtighten them, being as we re-checked? Are valves just normally pretty quiet when in spec, just barely audible over the exhaust?

Another question - can I ride without a front fender, or does it help hold forks in place?

Thanks!
Andy

Title: Re: Help calm my tight valve fear?
Post by Boule’tard on 07/18/11 at 09:40:53

Unless you notice a loss of power, I'd say you got the valves dead-on perfect.

You shouldn't have any problems running without a fender (apart from the mud of course). The forks flex pretty bad with or without the fender.... psst.. fork brace ;)

Title: Re: Help calm my tight valve fear?
Post by spacepirates on 07/18/11 at 10:00:58

if they are in spec, they are in spec. no worries.

I think a bunch of people run without the front fender. If you ride when it is wet you'll get a bunch of crap in your face though.

valves get louder the hotter the bike gets, and hearing them over the exhaust depends on what kind of exhaust you have. Ride around for a while to get the engine nice and warm, then lean down and see if you can hear them then. Typically people get more concerned when they hear strange ticking noises from engines than when they don't. if it works and doesn't make noise, maybe you just got a special bike ;)

hmm... or you need hearing aids ;D

Title: Re: Help calm my tight valve fear?
Post by drums1 on 07/18/11 at 14:19:32

My '87 with 20k is loud as hell IMO. I can hear the valve train over the HD, no baffle muffler, plain as day. Always have. But remember, I had nightmare head issues; had head replaced with, I assume, a junkyard head. Has made lots of noise ever since. And it REALLY makes a lot of noise now--other noises, since I bashed in the bottom of the motor, riding over that big rock.
But after listening to multiple Savages on Youtube, while checking out Savage exhausts, a lot of them sounded worse than mine. So I assume some of it is normal.