After seeing another thread that required the pulling of the head, I noted that the valve lash adjustment is done like my buddies dirt bike versus how mine is done on my Suzuki Z400 (sport quad).  It looks like all I need to do is remove the access covers, check the lash (at TDC compression stroke, of course), and I'm guessing adjust if neccesary by loosening something and turning something.

Does that sound right?  On my quad, I have to remove the head cover, check the lash at TDC and hope it is on.  If not, I need to remove the cam (intake or exhaust, and it comes off the chain so you have to keep that in order, too) and then change out to a different thickness shim.  It is an overhead cam engine.  Then I have to reinstall the cam and torque correctly.  And shims are $7 each so it is usually a 2 day job cause I don't know what I need til I measure the lash.

What else is connected to the gas tank, my 2005 FSM isn't in yet and the owners manual says just pull it off without mention of at least some electrical connectors (to the speedo?).  I have 300 miles with 300 to go before the first check.

Good point about tape on the frame to prevent scratching the paint with the petcock.  Might be a good addition to "Tips and Tricks".

Now, saying that it is "easy" to do is kind of subjective.  Compared to the "bucket and shim" adjusters, yes it is, but I would say that it is only "easy" in concept but not in actual practice....yep, you need skinny fingers.

Yes, there is an electrical connector....go in the Technical Corner and you can see the harness under the tank.  Look in the Electrical section too, and you'll see where you need to position the crankshaft at TDC.

After you do all that, the rest is "easy".  Set the clearance on all 4 valves between .003" and .005" with a pair of skinny fingers, feeler gage, 10 MM box-end wrench, and a screwdriver....but you'll wish the frame was out of the way  

Another thing that would make it easy would be the availability of some angled feeler gages in the .003"-.005" range.

It's just a job that requires patience, especially on the intake side.

rkutzner wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


Good, that's the attitude.  I just didn't want you to think that it was as easy as changing the oil.

Hint:  The clearance is .003 to.005".  Snug the adjuster with the .005" feeler gage in place.  Then remove the gage and tighten the nut the rest of the way.  This almost always closes the gap to a nice "middle of the road" gap of .004"....do this 4 times and you're done.

Good luck.

Sgt_Mike wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:11:


I just haven't been able to find flat "shim stock" type gages that were angled AND in that size range.  Where do you get them?

Adjust the valves cold, too.

Thanks.  For the Savage valve adjustment they would be much better than the flat kind.

Angled feler gauges?  All of mine came straight...and they are bent just how I need them!!!!  Most "standard" bent feeler gauges aren't bent where I needed.