Valve adjustment

[TheSwede]

Some things are just better left to the professionals. I agree the service is expensive and I am not looking forward to my 10,000 mile service either but they have the tools and the know how. Besides I have heard that the shims themselves are a specialty item.

The shims are the same used on earlier Triumph engines, and same as on many jap bikes.....

 

[Battersea]

It is not possible to use any "tool" to replace shims on the Rocket engine. It doesn't help to compress the valve, there is no space to take out the shim, because of the construction. If a shim needs to be replaced, the camshafts must be taken out.

I guess you have first hand knowledge of this so I wont try to argue the point as I haven't.

I saw this on the .com site and so assumed it was possible -


This is a quote from the ad.-

"Function:
The special tool allows valve adjustment to be done quickly and easily without the need to remove the camshaft, chain tensioner, cam chain, and thus eliminating the need to adjust the timing. A competent mechanic can remove and replace a shim in less than 15 minutes per valve. The valve adjustment tool works by pushing and holding the spring/bucket down to allow removal of the shim using a pick and magnet without the time consuming procedure of removing and replacing the camshaft and associated components and the resulting timing adjustment which should only be carried out by experienced technicians with all the special tools necessary to remove and replace the crankshaft, components and perform timing adjustment. Operation of the tool is so simple that anyone with basic knowledge of valve service can perform the procedure without the need for advanced training or experience with the Rocket III 2300cc engine."

 

[TheSwede]

I guess you have first hand knowledge of this so I wont try to argue the point as I haven't.

I saw this on the .com site and so assumed it was possible -


This is a quote from the ad.-

"Function:
The special tool allows valve adjustment to be done quickly and easily without the need to remove the camshaft, chain tensioner, cam chain, and thus eliminating the need to adjust the timing. A competent mechanic can remove and replace a shim in less than 15 minutes per valve. The valve adjustment tool works by pushing and holding the spring/bucket down to allow removal of the shim using a pick and magnet without the time consuming procedure of removing and replacing the camshaft and associated components and the resulting timing adjustment which should only be carried out by experienced technicians with all the special tools necessary to remove and replace the crankshaft, components and perform timing adjustment. Operation of the tool is so simple that anyone with basic knowledge of valve service can perform the procedure without the need for advanced training or experience with the Rocket III 2300cc engine."

I do not have first hand knowledge of this. And I would be the first to use a tool for this, if possible. But if it is possible to replace the shims without removing the camshafts, why isn't Triumph using that option in the workshop manual.
For the earlier engines, Triumph provides a tool for this operation. To compress the valves, 2 at the time, and makes it simple to replace the shims. I believe it is not possible on the Rocket engine. But I've been wrong before......

 

[Battersea]

...................But I've been wrong before......

So have I, many times. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that there is enough room to get a narrow lever down one side of the lobes and 'scoop' the shim out the other side.

When I rebuilt my BSA triple engine I was told that there was no way I could correct the lash cap problem without stripping the top end down again, in the end it was simple - it just needed a bit of lateral thinking. Maybe Triumph are beyond that and just want more cash going into the dealers pocket. I will know in about 4000 miles.

 

[mexican]

Does anybody remember the valve adjustment intervals?

 

[nolton]

Its every 10, 30 and 50 thousand miles.

 

[mexican]

Its every 10, 30 and 50 thousand miles.

Thanks Nolton!
I'm still 4000 miles away from my second one

 

[Triple Trouble]

Don't forget that it is only a check. More than likely there will be no need for an adjustment as the valves don't change much after the initial adjustment

 

[mexican]

Don't forget that it is only a check. More than likely there will be no need for an adjustment as the valves don't change much after the initial adjustment

You mean i have to give the dealer $300 just to tell me everything is fine? not fair

 

[Ugarte]

You mean i have to give the dealer $300 just to tell me everything is fine? not fair

Agreed, not fair but it will give you peace of mind. Me, I don't give a rip about peace of mind, I would rather spend the 300 bucks on gas and just ride and hope for the best. So far, so good. I will check the valves again at 100k.