valve adjustment

So it's time to adjust my valves on the '84 400 maxim, where's a good place to get the tool that holds down the spring and also where to get the shims? My other bikes have screw/nut design valves so this shim stuff is new to me.

Thanks

 

pm chacal, he will have the shims.
this may help, too
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html

 

+1 on helmet. I just adjusted my valves. Chacal got the shims and valve tool to me in Melbourne, Australia in only 8 days. Got good clearances now.

If you have a service book, it says to rotate the cam until the valve is fully open to fit the tool. This won't work. You only need to turn the cam until the valve bucket is starting to disappear in the valve guide. Fit the tool, then turn the cam back to just enough room, and the tool will grab the valve bucket, and you can get the shim out with a screwdriver, and small pliers.

 

Does the zip-tie / 12-2 wire method work on the 400 's ??
You hold the valve open by sticking something thru the plug hole.

 

It should; but I don't want that to be taken as me advocating it. I still prefer "the tool."

 

I just did the ziptie method on Ruby tonight. Worked like a charm!

Let us know what your clearances were like, i know i'm curious!

Oh and if you don't know, take the big slot cover off your alternator and use a 14mm deep socket to turn the engine when you need.

 

I ordered the special hold down tool for the valve which should be in tomorrrow. I know I have at least 2 valves out of spec, one makes noise during warm up and the other shows up once fully heated.

 

Don't go by sound. Happy valves make noise, tight ones don't. And remember if you're using an "American" feeler gauge and those specs (inch instead of metric) that being right on the limit means you're actually out of spec. (For instance, .004" is actually 0.1016mm whereas spec is .11mm.)

 

ok so the specs I get are

left exhst 0.007
left intk 0.006

right exhst 0.006
right intk 0.004

So I am using inch feeler gauges, does that mean the probably 3 are out of spec?

The numbers I get from '82 xs400 manual are

intake 0.11 - 0.15mm 0.004-0.006inch
exhaust 0.16 - 0.20mm 0.006-0.008inch

 

I adjusted mine yesterday using zip ties. I had to use two ties. Works great. I used to own the tool years ago.
I checked them a year ago and had 1 loose intake on #1 (closest valve to rider) It sounded like a leaking spark plug wire.
I checked them a year ago and rode it during parts order, then got lazy.
Two valve cover gaskets and 1 new shim later, it sounds quiet.
10K mile bike.
Far easier that todays bikes!