Replies

So we're all friends again, now? :)

I take it back, I think you may actually know more about non-H-D bikes than I do about H-Ds. I mean that as a compliment, because my knowledge of H-Ds is quite broad, but not terribly deep since I've never owned one so I never had to learn all the intricacies of maintaining them or working on them.

I can, and have done, all the work on my own bikes, although sometimes I choose to pay someone else to do it. Ever done a valve adjustment on a modern shim under bucket 4 valve per cylinder v-twin, like in my Suzuki? What a PITA - gotta remove the tank, the air box and a bunch of other stuff, and then pull the camshafts to actually change the shims, although this is not as bad on this bike as same, as teh cam shafts are actually gear-driven off a chain-driver idler gear. And then repeat for the other head. Fortunately it doesn't have to be done very often - 16,000 mile intervals, and typically, unless used very hard the clearances don't change after the first adjustment.

My ZRX1100 had the neatest system for valve adjustments - shims on buckets with rocker arms that slid to the side on their shafts to allow access to the shims.

All the 80s models Honda CB DOHC engines were easy as well to change the shims...using only a small valve compressor tool. I found the most meticulous part is measuring. Especially if you don't have a wide assortment of shims on hand.

I never was anyones enemy. I am way too nice of a guy. ;)

I don't know what you or anyone else knows except what I can derive from this here message board. I do appreciate the compliment. To be honest I don't know what the whole "under bucket" tem is. I have done valve jobs on the modern overhead cammed 4valve inline 4bangers though. I also have more knowledge of the 99 and earlier. Since I am an independent shop I don't compete with the dealers for the most part and get them in from time to time just because of loyalty from people whom I have done work for in the past. This is the reason god made technical manuals, we can't know every spec on every bike.

Here's a question for ya though. Why can't you rice bike riders be nicer to your second gear??? I would say almost half of all rice racer type bikes I have gotten in all have 2nd gear problems. you guys are so rough on that gear. ;)