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[papasmurf]

scotty I suspect there is a reason the workshop manuals state set the tappets at TDC on a cold engine.

[Lord-Toady]

I got myself a cheap set of draper combination spanners and had another go at the tappets. I think the 7/16 spanner was a good fit for the locknut and 13mm was the best fit for the top one I had as was hard to push all the way on. The locknut wouldn’t budge so after getting a bolt and nut out the garage and double checking I wasnt tightening it I decided to use heat. I filled up my little Maplin Flamemaster mini propane torch and soldering iron and held it on the nut to heat it and then with a bit more persuasion the locknut finally relented. I put a rag under as I imagined the spanner snapping.



Anyway here is a little video I took of how I have the tappets adjusted now.







I think that looks right, I didnt use the top dead centre tool as couldnt screw it all the way into the spark plug port but i could see the piston was up top with it. The bike seemed to start a bit better bit I have not tested properly yet. It didn't kick back when trying either.

[Alan R]

Hi Guys------ when the Ammeter "flicks" then the points have just opened at the ignition retarded position---which is NOT TDC....So for tappet setting ignore the Ammeter and use a more physical approach...Ideally the cam follower should be at the very lowest point of the cam's base circle ie}---directly opposite of the cam's lobe..........Scotty's method is the "proper" way as it is based on this approach.....However for our low-performance, "Cooking" engines then the piston at TDC Compression Stroke will suffice.....

When setting a multi-cylinder engine one method of ensuring the valves required are in the right position is to use the "Key Number = No. of Cylinders + 1" method..................So, for a 4-cyl. engine the key Number is}---4 + 1 = 5.....Looking along the length of the rocker shaft we follow the firing order and to set Cyl. No.1 we look at (5-1) = No.4 and watch to see the rockers "On the rock" ie--one going down and one coming up"....When they are parallel we then set No.1 gaps.............With a firing order of 1-3-4-2 then the next to set is No3. and the one to watch is (5-3) No.2.............etc...Particularly useful on long, V12, V16 engines for example...Puts lecture notes away---goes back to being Mr. Nerdy !!

[Lord-Toady]

It’s made the bike so much easier to start now I have adjusted it.