Can anyone describe what to look for, or listen for when a valve adjustment is needed?
I haven't noticed any kind of performance loss, however, I did just turn 14k miles the other day, and I haven't adjusted them for about 4k miles.
On top of that my Prima pipe finally bit the dust, so I am back to the stock exhaust.
So my Buddy sounds a lot different than it did even 200 miles ago.
Normally, I'd be able to point out any different sounds in a nanosecond, but I'm at a loss right.
What should I be looking out for?
Thanks in advance.
Valve adjustment
Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff
-
PIStaker
- Member
- Posts: 334
- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2008 2:57 am
- Location: Chicago, IL
-
Tocsik
- Member
- Posts: 1918
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:40 pm
- Location: Denver
Quite a coincidence as I have been thinking of checking my valves again for my 30K service. And, this past weekend while installing a new rear tire, I had to have my Prima pipe brackets welded; one was torn through the outer skin of the pipe!
I was truly hoping to find someone to fix it for me since I really didn't want to go back to a scooter that purrs
. I like the growl 
.
You may hear a ticking if the valves are out, but not always. I forget but I think they will only tick if they are loose, not too tight.
Probably best to go ahead and check them. Mine have only needed adjusting twice in 4 years/30K miles. I checked them a few thousand miles ago and they were dead-on.
I was truly hoping to find someone to fix it for me since I really didn't want to go back to a scooter that purrs
. I like the growl .You may hear a ticking if the valves are out, but not always. I forget but I think they will only tick if they are loose, not too tight.
Probably best to go ahead and check them. Mine have only needed adjusting twice in 4 years/30K miles. I checked them a few thousand miles ago and they were dead-on.
.::I know the voices in my head aren't real, but man do they come up with some great ideas::.
-
BootScootin'FireFighter
- Member
- Posts: 2043
- Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:11 am
- Location: (Metro DC) Alexandria, Virginia
- Contact:
you'll definitely hear a ticking and loss of performance if they are significantly out of alignment. However, I learned from reading the technical library thread on here how to check them. The hardware store had a set of feeler gauges for $5, and it was a very easy do it yourself job. Just make sure you attach that vent hose back on the cover when you're done. .08mm, easy peesy.
Also, I like the idea of making a video of the noise and symptoms, uploading to youtube, then posting it on here. Helps us better understand strange noises when we're thousands of miles away.
Also, I like the idea of making a video of the noise and symptoms, uploading to youtube, then posting it on here. Helps us better understand strange noises when we're thousands of miles away.
-
ericalm
- Site Admin
- Posts: 16842
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:01 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Contact:
I ignored the ticking (in my LX) to my own detriment. Actually, I thought it was in the transmission. It would tick when I started from a full stop or accelerated at low speeds. I pulled the transmission apart multiple times, but couldn't find anything.
Flash forward many months (or more). I drop a valve into the cylinder. Wrecked my top end.
It probably wasn't due to too big a gap, but it would have been avoided if someone had checked the valves and had seen it was just… wrong. Duh.
Flash forward many months (or more). I drop a valve into the cylinder. Wrecked my top end.
It probably wasn't due to too big a gap, but it would have been avoided if someone had checked the valves and had seen it was just… wrong. Duh.
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…