Topic: 400four valve adjustment

[lazyguy400F]

     So after spending most of the afternoon adjusting and readjusting my valves, it occured to me that there might be a special tool to make it easier. the locknut is an easy 9 mm wrench, but the adjuster in the middle is a squarish post with a tiny hole in it- no screw slot, not any allen wrench size that I have. I've heard rumors that the 750 has a slot for a small screwdriver, which would make the whole process slightly less maddening. As it is, I use a pair of needle nose pliers, with predictably random results.

     Is there a better way to do this? an official or adapted tool?

[Gordon]

     Is there a better way to do this? an official or adapted tool?

Yes, many B&M and online motorcycle supply shops sell a tool specifically for this purpose, and I'm still waiting for Heffay to buy one so I can come over and use it!

[tsflstb]

Motion Pro sent me these by mistake when I ordered some feeler gauges...four years ago.  I still haven't gotten around to sending them back.

[Gordon]

Just send them to me.  I'll make sure they get back to MotionPro.

[amemoryoncelost]

 Can anyone give a link to one of these tools? I'm about to do a valve adjust on my 400F and would rather not get stressed out trying to do the job when I could just spend a few bucks on a tool to make it go that much smoother...

[lazyguy400F]

the motionpro.com set is around $40, and it can do a whole range of sizes and types. Looking forward to trying the process with a tool that works!

(and get some extra feeler guages while you're at it- if you're as ham handed as I am you'll break a few) .

[amemoryoncelost]

 Do the feeler gauges that have the bends on the end make the job easier? I've never done an adjust, but am ordering up the parts for a tuneup next week, so will be doing them soon enough.

[malcolmgb]

It's my understanding that using a tool like this you don't need a feeler gauge, by turning the centre screw a certain number of degrees from zero clearance the thread pitch will give the correct gap.
Also a similar tool is available from Z1 Enterprises a forum member.

[Jay B]

I just use a split roll pin to turn the tappet screws. Can't remember the diameter. Goes over the square, one corner will fit into the split inthe pin enough to turn it securely.

[mattcb350f]

I just use a split roll pin to turn the tappet screws. Can't remember the diameter. Goes over the square, one corner will fit into the split inthe pin enough to turn it securely.

That's brilliant. I'll be trying it shortly 

 Matt.

[amemoryoncelost]

oh, split pin idea is great, will have to drop by the hardware store for sure.

[fixahonda]

I don't know about the 400, but the 350 has those square bits sticking out of the adjusters. I made a tool out of a square drive drywall screw. I bent it about 3/4 of an inch up and covered the threads with a small bit of tubing. Works like a charm.

[Joel]

It's my understanding that using a tool like this you don't need a feeler gauge, by turning the centre screw a certain number of degrees from zero clearance the thread pitch will give the correct gap.
Also a similar tool is available from Z1 Enterprises a forum member.

Does it eliminate the need for feeler gauges?

[heffay]

It's my understanding that using a tool like this you don't need a feeler gauge, by turning the centre screw a certain number of degrees from zero clearance the thread pitch will give the correct gap.
Also a similar tool is available from Z1 Enterprises a forum member.

Does it eliminate the need for feeler gauges?

i don't think i would trust it to do the feeler's job.  i haven't heard anything related to your claim.  anyone else?

[gregk]

I bought a set of the Pro Motion valve adjusting tools.  They work great but the hardest part of adjusting the valves is getting the feeler guage into place.  Pro Motion also sells feeler guages with a bend near the end which allows you to get the guage ino place.  The handle is about 3 or 4 inches long but the feeler part is only about 1/2" long.  The feeler is bent at the bottom about 90 degrees to allow for the limited working space.  They are cheap and must work better than a piece of guage stock bent up. 
They come several sizes.

Greg

[malcolmgb]

It's my understanding that using a tool like this you don't need a feeler gauge, by turning the centre screw a certain number of degrees from zero clearance the thread pitch will give the correct gap.
Also a similar tool is available from Z1 Enterprises a forum member.

Does it eliminate the need for feeler gauges?

i don't think i would trust it to do the feeler's job.  i haven't heard anything related to your claim.  anyone else?

not sure where I read it, but the theory is, if for example you have a thread pitch of .5mm then 1 complete turn would raise/lower the bolt by .5mm, a half turn by .25mm and so on, this would have course also take into account any wear something you could never feel in feeler gauges. I am not sure of the thread pitch on the adjuster bolts so cannot work out the turn required.

[heffay]

i can see how it would work and believe that you read it... your last sentence, malcolm,  is precisely why i said what i said.