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Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
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Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
When looking at Max's microfiche I see they call for a gasket to be used up until 8/1975? So, what year was your bike produced, Kurt I bet can provide a link to check using serial number. I am saying a big if here, if the jugs were off at one time and the bike is from the years where the gasket was not called for, might that not make a difference?
On a similar topic one of my friends yesterday called the shop and was saying he was running out of valve adjustment. In his case, his bike was a year of BMW engines that were known to have bad valve seats, it don't remember the exact range but my RT was affected and it is an 84. So again, I am grasping at straws, could there be valve recession going on? Honestly I don't think your bike was more prone to it then were the 82 to 84 year bikes but it could be happening.
I can understand the reluctance to tear things apart. I would not at least not until you get the new adjuster screws and see how they fit. IF they give you the same problem, if it were me, I would look into a tear down. St.
Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
The photos show the new adjuster bolts, they look different to the “original” ones on the bike. The originals had hex heads where the cup to hold the pushrod is. The “new” ones are from Euromotive and they are apparently good for all airhead bikes. On these the cup that holds the pushrod is round and there is an Allen key hex in he end of the thread. But there is the exact same travel on the “Original” to “New” bolts from what I removed to what I installed. I should have taken a photo of the “Original” adjuster bolts prior to installing the “new”ones. My second set of “New” adjuster bolts are set to arrive this weekend (I slightly stretched the threads on the first “New” set I installed with the locknuts above the rocker arm).
If he valves seats are wearing out the valves would be further and further out of the engine and pushing the rocker arm more, closing the clearance. If that were the case then I would be running out of adjustment on the adjuster bolts in the opposite direction ( not to mention that if the valves wore evenly out of the head by 6mm/1/4” I would be in serious trouble).
The extra gasket so far is the only possible scenario that would cause what I have going on and if the engine is ok to add the gasket then I’m leaving it there till I have other problems to address (and hopefully that is a long way down a fun-filled, traffic-less, open, winding road )
My bike rolled off the factory floor March of ‘72, it is however registered as a ‘73. Either because it did get to the States until then or it was just sold in ‘73. This is from the title, and the decal on the Frame (it looks the age and matches the bike).
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
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Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
To be honest, I have not had a chance to bounce this off of my airhead shop owner friend as he is taking time off. Next time I see him I will ask him.
Just a side note, have you tried to email or call anybody like Ted Porter, Anton Largidare, or Tom Cutter?
LOL, I know how busy they are and I only call if I am totally flummoxed. St.
Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
- Been thanked: 21 times
Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
Anton is at http://www.largiader.com. Tom is at http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com
LOL, I know Tom Cutter is now asking for a donation via PayPal for his advice, it is worth it. These guys along with Snowbum,
Who is at https://bmwmotorcycletech.info. Are the guys who know what we who work on our bikes should know and have a lot more experience than I do for sure.
LOL, my shop guy is out of the shop with an injury so I have not had a chance to ask him about your problem, looks like it may be awhile before he is open agin. St.
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Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
- malmac
- Posts: 796
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2014 2:10 am
- Location: Toowoomba, Australia.
- Has thanked: 1 time
Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
So many parts on the BMW's look the same but there are subtle but significant dimensional changes which could be your problem.
Re the base gaskets, you will quickly spot a thick gasket. I have some (not fitted) for the R69s and they are easy to spot.
Mal
Toowoomba- Australia
- cbclemmens
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Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
Craig
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2023 3:42 am
Re: Valve Adjustment bolt out of travel
To the original poster, if your camshaft or lifter is not worn, the valve seat is drifting out of the head, and you should address this immediately.