Valve adjustment assistance

[ElectricCircus]

Originally Posted by katflap

Distant memories of being at college the lecturer said that doing tappets, the resistance on the feeler gauge should feel like a knife going through butter.

I remember thinking at the time , well how sharp is the knife and how warm is the butter.

[ElectricCircus]

Originally Posted by Riceburner

I have to say, you guys are great with all the help and info.

I agree!

Originally Posted by Riceburner

Just for giggles, when I went to my dealer last week I asked the mechanic (nice "young" fellow) about adjusting the valves on my bike (got the response I expected), it doesn't need to be done, it's self adjusting he said and very authoritative at that.

At 1991 I buyed my first new motorcycle (Honda 250 Nighthawk); after 1000km returned to the store for servicing early morning, and leaved at the workshop for the whole day as told. At the end of the day when asked "How was the valve clearance?" the head mechanic (and only person at the workshop: a mature 50-60 years old man that when young used to be racing motorcycle mechanic), answered "Isn't necessary to check the valves", also in a very authoritative way.
But I insisted, just because it was clearly stated at the Honda Owner's Manual.

So, the guy started the task in a hurry, front of me: took an adjustable wrench to loosen the first of the two beautifully chrome-plated bolts that affixed the cover, and the tool slipped away leaving a noticeable and permanent mark on the bolt!

From that moment (I was 25, now I'm 47) I becomed very paranoic about leaving my vehicles for repairing by others out of my sight.