BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I highly advocate to anyone who is afraid to do there own valve adjustment, to get the right tools and just do it.I have had the dealer adjust my valves twice since my purchase in 05. After doing my own adjustment this past weekend, my bike has never purred so nicely.The dealer isnt going to take the time to be as finiky as you are. You, your ride and your wallet will be a whole lot happier.

Its also important to add that if you do it yourself, which isn't hard, to seek some technical
documentation advice first as there is a few tricks in it.

E.G.
The feeler blades should be placed across both inlet valves & exhaust valves at the same time

The adjustment locknuts should not be over tightened.

The main valve cover bolts screw into an aluminium head are are very east to strip so a screwdriver handle
with a socket on it is a must, some have stripped the threads trying to use a torque wrench,
be careful mistakes are costly, but be confident.

Both spark plugs should be removed as its easy to find top dead centre by placing a rod or screwdriver
into where the spark plugs go, max up and minimum distance showing and all valves should be closed,
if not all closed its not TDC but BDC go to the other side or rotate again using the back wheel whilst
in gear on the centrestand.

Arbee

[quote="Arbee"]Its also important to add that if you do it yourself, which isn't hard, to seek some technical
documentation advice first as there is a few tricks in it.


Both spark plugs should be removed as its easy to find top dead centre by placing a rod or screwdriver
into where the spark plugs go, max up and minimum distance showing and all valves should be closed,
if not all closed its not TDC but BDC go to the other side or rotate again using the back wheel whilst
in gear on the centrestand.
[quote="Arbee"]

Why not just pop off the rubber cap on the side of the engine so you can see the fly wheel and rotate the rear wheel until you see the OT mark in the fly wheel?, that is a lot more precise way to find Top Dead Center.

By removing the spark plugs you run the risk of dislodging some carbon into an open valve which then throws off your adjustment after the carbon is cleared upon running the engine. I believe I learned this from CycleRob. So I leave the sparks in place and move the cylinders by bumping the rear tire while the tranny is in 6th (or so) gear. Not too much of a problem.

I've also started judging TDC by looking for the arrows on the chain there in under the valve cover. Saves the hassle of pulling and replacing the plug (or pushing it into the engine only to cause worry and consternation). It's been working for me. YMMV.

After struggling to replace the cover on that little hole, I am a convert to using those arrows to find TDC. However, I still do remove the alternator cover and crank the engine that way.

rdsmith3 wrote:After struggling to replace the cover on that little hole, I am a convert to using those arrows to find TDC. However, I still do remove the alternator cover and crank the engine that way.

That's become my method too. Seems quickest and easiest.

A goup of us here in Cleveburg did our own adjustments the other week. With good results BTW. I too had trouble replacing the rubber plug that covers the sproket. Someone there suggested replacing it with the plug that comes on the airheads. I went to the local dealers ship and the parts guys carries alot of them and stated that he sold quite a few as replacements to the 1150 crowd.

[color=#80BF40]I've also started judging TDC by looking for the arrows on the chain there in under the valve cover. Saves the hassle of pulling and replacing the plug (or pushing it into the engine only to cause worry and consternation). It's been working for me. YMMV.[/quote][/color]

Could some one explain this method to me clearly ... After doing my valves a couple of weekends ago, the bike seems to run ok, however I seem to be going through oil at a speedy pace.... I am confident the gaps where set right.What I am unclear of is TDC...as there was a LINE above an S which was over OT,followed a LINE under OT...I put the bottom line in the center of the viewing hole.

possum,

here... this thread has a picture from Taosports...worth a thousand words. Plus if you read the whole thing...you'll get some additonal thousands of words...they may be useful too.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... 75&start=0