**CAUTION** This method is for a cold engine only!
Ural Discussion Group
Tech Tips
Ural Valve Adjustment - Twirl Method
By Derek Smith
Here's the valve adjustment procedure that
your mother warned you about. It's the infamous "twirl" method. Not to be tried,
however, unless you are thoroughly familiar with the more traditional "feeler
gauge" method. The potential for serious damage to your engine from improperly
adjusted valves is very high. That's why it's a good idea to become familiar with the
"feeler gauge" method first. You need to be able to recognize a correctly
adjusted set of valves so that you can tell if you did a good job with this method. There,
now that that's out of the way, let's have some fun. This is the method that Alex (Golden
Hands) uses, and he had me adjusting my own valves in no time!
**CAUTION** This method is for a cold engine only!
Step # 1 Remove the valve cover from one of
the cylinders. Put something under the cylinder to catch the oil that will leak out.
(Photo # 1)
Step # 2 Remove the rubber plug from the
timing hole.
Step # 3 With the bike in neutral, pull down on the kick start lever with your right hand until you see the Top Dead Center mark appear in the hole. (Photo # 2)
**CAUTION** Don't confuse the TDC mark with the firing mark. The firing mark has a small dot on the end, the TDC mark doesn't. (Photo # 3)
Step # 4 Line up the TDC mark exactly with the marks on either side of the hole. (Photo
#2)
Step # 5 Put your finger under one of the push rods. Move your finger back and forth like somebody playing a violin. the push rod should twirl freely with minimal force from your finger. If the push rod is too tight to spin, try the other push rod on the other valve on the same cylinder and see if it will spin. If it wont move either, then chances are that you are trying to adjust the valves on the wrong engine stroke. Watch the timing hole again and slowly pull the kick start lever again until you see the TDC mark line up with the index marks once again. Now try twirling the push rod again. Hopefully now it will spin nicely under your finger. (Photo # 4)
Step # 6 Grasp the rocker arm of the valve that you are adjusting in step # 5 with your thumb and forefinger, and by firmly pulling and pushing on it make sure that it is snug against the top of the valve. There should be no play in the rocker arm whatsoever. (Photo # 5)
Step # 7 If you can feel the rocker arm move slightly, then adjust the nuts on the head of the push rod until the rod will spin smoothly and easily and there is no movement between the rocker arm and the top of the valve. Make sure that the nuts are secure after you make your adjustment. (Photo # 6)
Step # 8 Without moving the TDC mark, repeat the procedure for the other valve on that
cylinder.
Step # 9 When you've done the two valves on the first cylinder, slowly pull the kick start
lever again until the TDC mark once again lines up in the timing hole. Now you're ready to
adjust the other cylinder!
With a little practice you'll be able to adjust your valves anywhere in about 10 minutes!
| Topic: | Valve Adjustment (2 of 3), Read 56 times |
| Conf: | Technical |
| From: | |
| Date: | Sunday, November 08, 1998 08:46 PM |
From one who uses the twirl method
regularly:
+++++++
Please add a step #10:
#10 After completing your adjustments and locking down, CHECK YOUR WORK with a feeler
gauge, if ANY valves are too tight REDJUST NOW, if a valve is a "touch" loose,
OK, readjust if you wish.
+++++++++
I feel that this is a SAFETY step, even for the familiar with procedure people, NOBODY is
perfect on this. I check my work unless an emergency situation arises, I am more
comfortable that way. In the long haul, and with a little practice, one should be able to
do a quick and easy setting with virtually NO readjusts.
p.s. When you take off the valve covers, if you are quick, you can tap the cover after the
bolt is off and rotate the cover off and under the head, becoming the catch pan, that's
how Alex does it, and it works too. Don't try it this "quick" removal on a hot
engine unless you have asbestos fingers, that oil is HOT.
Warren