Motorcycle valve adjustments can be inconvenient at best, but throughout the life of the motorcycle, many riders will eventually have to deal with it themselves or pay someone to do it for them. But not all motorcycles require valve adjustments, so why does yours?
Why do many motorcycles require valve adjusts while others don’t and why do we need to adjust valves at all? What happens if we skip valve clearance checks? And if you do your own adjustments - do you set it for the narrowest gap, middle or widest gap in the clearance range? What happens if you go past the recommended mileage for a valve adjustment check, and what do these valves do anyway?
Karl Engellenner: Motorcycle machinist and engine builder, who is now retired from owning and running his engine machine shop, Motorcycle Machining Specialties, in California. Karl is an expert in engine machine work for all kinds of motorcycle engines, including modifying and machining race engines.
Walt Fulton (left) and Karl Engellenner (right) at Miller Motorsports Park a few years ago. The bike is Karl’s 350 Aermacchi that Walt rides.
MUSIC:
Title: Free Music & Free Beer (ft. Admiral Bob)
Artist: Alex Beroza
http://ccmixter.org/files/AlexBeroza/38167
Title: Surf Shimmy
Artist: Kevin MacLeod
https://incompetech.com
Title: Funin And Sunin
Artist: Kevin MacLeod
https://incompetech.com