Question about dirtbike (thumper) valve adjustment

[bad-mofo]

After asking Rudy today I just want some second opinion on thumper valve adjustment. The head cover and the valves are easily accessible once the tank is removed. The hardest part (as it appears to me) is finding the engine's dead center (or whatever it's called).

Earl recommended ktmtalk.com, and I read their thread on valve adjustment. So to find the dead center one needs to drain and remove the radiator, then unscrew the stop bolt and look through that tiny hole with a flashlight, then put the bolt back in w/o the spacer... I'm wondering if there is an easier way.

Rudy mentioned the exact dead spot is not important. By turning the rear wheel in 6th I'd be able to approximately find it. What do you think?

[Marmalade Dad]

This helped clarify the issue for me:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-221898.html&

[bad-mofo]

Sounds easy, but how do you measure exactly "halfway open"? (the exhaust valves). Or it's not important as the cam "heel" is long enough?

[RC-5Juan]

Lol...you need to drain the coolant on a KTM to check the timing marks? Thats an awesome design.

[zman]

Lol...you need to drain the coolant on a KTM to check the timing marks? Thats an awesome design.

thats why i go for the 6th gear roll the tire method :fawkdance

[Earl]

You have the ref marks to go with, as you look thru the bolt hole.

I'd rather work on my KTM and drain the coolant and adjust the tappet valves, versus working on the CRF450 shim valves, any day!

The coolant is drained to get clear access to the valves. On the CRF450, major disassembly is required, I've spoken to several owners who just HATE working on their CRF450s!

[bad-mofo]

This helped clarify the issue for me:

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-221898.html&
I printed it today and tried to follow, but it's obvious this method conflicts with the official one from ktmtalk.com (sorry, member-only link):

http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=179041

Thanks, Earl, for pointing me to that message board.

So if you compare both posts, you'd see that the TDC can't be at the exhaust valves "halfway open" when it's exactly at all four (intake and exhaust) valves being closed (so the rockers move freely). With a little help from my wife rotating the rear wheel (she refused to do it until I wiped the tire clean) finding the stop bolt groove wasn't hard at all.

3 valves were a little loose: 0.05" feeler gauge moving w/o any resistance, so I adjusted them being a perfectionist.

The bike feels great. Took it to fifth gear uphill. Now I know what dogs feel sticking their head out a car window: the wind blowing cheeks, etc.. For the record I was wearing gear: Sidi boots.

[zman]

I printed it today and tried to follow, but it's obvious this method conflicts with the official one from ktmtalk.com (sorry, member-only link):

http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=179041

Thanks, Earl, for pointing me to that message board.

So if you compare both posts, you'd see that the TDC can't be at the exhaust valves "halfway open" when it's exactly at all four (intake and exhaust) valves being closed (so the rockers move freely). With a little help from my wife rotating the rear wheel (she refused to do it until I wiped the tire clean) finding the stop bolt groove wasn't hard at all.

3 valves were a little loose: 0.05" feeler gauge moving w/o any resistance, so I adjusted them being a perfectionist.

The bike feels great. Took it to fifth gear uphill. Now I know what dogs feel sticking their head out a car window: the wind blowing cheeks, etc.. For the record I was wearing gear: Sidi boots.
Alex didnt i tell ya it was easy that way ????

Ohh and sorry i didnt call ya back yest but it was kinda late and i was buying a new bike :D

[bad-mofo]

Your "Yamaha hookup" told me everything. :D BTW that white bike had spongy brakes. I hope they had another one in stock.

[zman]

Your "Yamaha hookup" told me everything. :D BTW that white bike had spongy brakes. I hope they had another one in stock.

Ahh thats Not the Yamaha hook up
Jeremy was the second runner up the first hook up was CASH ONLY :ohcrap

so i had to use the great american tradition called CREDIT

[bad-mofo]

Ahh thats Not the Yamaha hook up
Jeremy was the second runner up the first hook up was CASH ONLY :ohcrap

so i had to use the great american tradition called CREDIT
You know my rule about toys, but yeah, I know, it's unpatriotic. :D Congrats, mang.