These instructions are intended to be used as a guide only. If you are not comfortable using tools, performing general maintenance, raising your motorcycle into the air or if your coordination is not too good or if you are just generally a klutz (sorry but I don't want anyone hurt or complaining) then it might be better to go to the shop or have a friend help. Good luck and buy some more chrome with the money you save...Bob

Valkyrie Valve Adjustment

documented by

Carl Kulow

 

Tools

Allen sockets – 5mm, 6mm

ratchet

short extension

oil drain pan

newspaper

sockets – 17mm

box wrench – 10mm

feeler gauges

screwdriver

 

 

 

1.      Engine cold!!!

2.      Bike on sidestand

3.      Transmission in neutral!!!

4.      Remove both cam end covers, 3 inch square covers with one rounded side, 2 bolts each (5mm hex) at the rear end of each valve cover

5.      Place an oil drain pan under the left valve cover (~1/8 cup will drain), newspaper under the right valve cover (a few drops will drain)

6.      Remove the rubber plugs from the center of the valve cover bolts

7.      Remove both valve covers (6mm hex) – be sure the washer/sealing ring comes off with each bolt!

8.      Remove the timing cover, 3 inch round cover directly below the radiator, 3 bolts (5mm hex)

Hint: Any of the covers removed above may stick slightly and you will need to tap them gently with a wooden or plastic screwdriver handle or the palm of your hand.

9.      With the transmission in neutral, turn the crankshaft (17mm) where you removed the timing cover, counterclockwise (there is an arrow on the timing plate) and align the T1,2 mark on the timing plate to the index mark on the outside at 3 o’clock

10.  Be certain the No.1 piston is at TDC (Top Dead Center)!!! – the intake and exhaust valves for No.1 should wiggle slightly in and out. If not, turn the crankshaft a full 360 degrees counterclockwise to the same T1,2 mark and check the valves again for “wiggle”

 

Cylinder Location (the spark plug wires are also numbered as given below)

Right side, front to rear = 1, 3, 5

Left side, front to rear   =  2, 4, 6

 

Valve Clearance

Intake = .006in.  (.15mm)

Exhaust = .009in.  (.22mm)

 

Valve Location

Intake Valves are on the top (take air/gas in from the carbs)

Exhaust Valves are on the bottom (exhaust to the exhaust pipes)

 

11.  Insert the correct feeler gauge between the valve stem and the adjuster screw. There should be slight drag on the feeler gauge – be sure that you do not have the gauge canted or curved as you are measuring. You can use the “go, no go” method – a .008in. gauge should not go into the .006 intake; a .011 should not go into a .009 exhaust if adjusted properly. A .007 gauge will go into the intake and a .010 gauge will go into the exhaust, but will give a too tight drag.

12.  If any valve needs adjusting, loosen the adjuster lock nut with a 10mm box wrench and turn the adjuster screw with a screwdriver to get the correct clearance – slight drag on the feeler gauge.

13.  Slide the box wrench over the shaft of the screwdriver and hold the adjuster screw with the screwdriver while tightening the lock nut with the 10mm box wrench.

14.  After tightening, double check the clearance.

15.  Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees to align the T3,4 at the index mark. Check for wiggle at No.4 valves. Adjust if necessary.

16.  Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees to align the T5,6 at the index mark. Check for wiggle at No.5 valves. Adjust if necessary.

17.  Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees to align the T1,2 at the index mark. Check for wiggle at No.2 valves. Adjust if necessary.

18.  Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees to align the T3,4 at the index mark. Check for wiggle at No.3 valves. Adjust if necessary.

19.  Turn the crankshaft 120 degrees to align the T5,6 at the index mark. Check for wiggle at No.6 valves. Adjust if necessary.

20.  Install the timing cover, 3 bolts (5mm hex)

21.  Wipe any oil off the valve cover gaskets

Hint: You may need to apply a small amount of TRV or similar sealer to each outside end of the cam housing. There are two spots at each end, top and bottom, of the round cam housing where the factory applied some sealant. In any case, be sure that none of the factory applied sealant is balled up and potentially keeping the valve cover gasket from sealing tightly.

22.  Below and to the front of the right valve cover, remove the two sets of wire cables from the wire holder and gently pull out any extra slack to make it easier to reinstall the right valve cover.

Hint: Do not over tighten any of the bolts to the 5 different covers when reinstalling. These are relatively small and fine threaded bolts and could easily break or strip. Keep your palm or fingers close to the head of the ratchet when tightening these bolts.