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Valve adjustment symptoms

16K views 11 replies 10 participants last post by  txdan  
#1 ·
Well, with winter coming on before long, it will be time to think about doing maintenance on the bike. I was just wondering if there were any particular symptoms of the valves needing adjustment (besides a loss of power)? I bought this bike used with about 8k miles on it last year and now have about 15k on it. I'm pondering whether or not I want to mess with valve adjustment this winter. I know mileage wise it's probably due but the danged thing runs so good I'm pretty much of a mind of "If it's not broke don't fix it."

Funny case in point story: Last weekend I was working on a truck at the shop and had to go get a few parts. Since the truck was down, I just hopped on the bike and took off to the store. It's about 10 miles (open four lane) to the store. I'm cruising along at 70 and as I come up on a pickup doing about 65 I see a Harley bobber coming up on me (don't ask me which model or what 'cause there's so many different names they have for them and they all pretty much look the same to me LOL). So I slide into the left lane and effortlessly ease it up to 85. I look in my mirror he's crouched down behind the windshield whipping the hell out of it hanging behind me. I'd slow down slightly for a little curve and then roll right back up to 85 or 90. When I got into town and hit the turning lane he went by looking at the bike like WTF? :D

Dan
 
#2 ·
If the valves are loose (unlikely) the symptom is ticking.
If the valves are tight,there will be a loss of compression and possible damage.
So it is wisest to follow the recommended adjustmet interval rather than waiting for symptoms which may be too late.
 
#3 ·
The valves will get tighter.As stated,hard starting is a sure sign that the valves are too tight and need adjusting pronto.When the valves get too tight,they can't close tightly,and compression is lost.If left,it will cause burnt valves,and valve seats.
:);)
 
#6 ·
I always hear my Kawi Meanie 1600 HYDROLIC valves on start up but they never need adjusting.True it is never that cold in south Fl. I use synthetic 10--40 4T Mobil 1 raceoil ,clean screen a good filter ,have added an oil cooler and unless defective lifter what's the problem ?Do you have shim or nut tightening adjust proceedures?Even V-4 Honda and MVAgusta's the valves were rarely adjusted , 30k miles aprox,and I reved to max often for 40km on autobahns.
 
#7 ·
Do you have shim or nut tightening adjust proceedures? Even V-4 Honda and MVAgusta's the valves were rarely adjusted
Our valve adjustments use a jam nut.

One difference between the EN500 and the bikes you mention is that those machines are designed from the ground-up for lower maintenance because they are meant to be ridden farther and harder. (i.e you'll be away from home more.) The EN500 is an economy bike, a starter bike, or a commuter bike so you probably won't venture too far and can afford to be a bit more maintenance intensive. Yes, a shaft drive and hydraulic lifters would be nice but they also drive up the cost.

I love my Vulcan 500 just as she is.

Ride safe.
 
#10 ·
Thanks all for the info. I'm convinced, I'll go ahead and do it over the winter. It'll be a nice shop project anyway. Hopefully I won't be the one guy who drops the dowels down the engine :eek: I've been wanting to change the coolant out of the bike anyway, this way I'll kill two birds with one stone.

Dan
 
#11 ·
I just did my EX500 valves yesterday, Dan, so two tips:
Have superglue ready and super-glue the dowels down into the block like the wiki says you can. On mine one dowel stayed in the motor, the other came off with the valve cover. I did not have super glue at the ready - didn't think I had any at the house, so it will be yet another harrowing experience the next time I take the valve-cover off.

#2: go to the hardware store and pick up two of the o-rings (I believe they are 3/4" OD, 9/16" ID) to install on the coolant pipes. I tried to re-use the old ones and, wow, I guess they were too old. Test ride #1 went fine to go get hamburgers... but the ride home didn't go fine - almost got run over by pulling into traffic with very low power, turns out I was only running on one cylinder. At home, dis-assembly showed a coolant leak into one of the spark plug galleys.

After taking the old o-rings off I could see why - they weren't round anymore, but flattened. Clean the tubes, lube the new o-rings up with Vaseline, and install.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the info Dave. I'll remember that, as I haven't tackled it yet; right now I've got the Firebird torn apart in the shop.

Dan