Symptoms of Valve Issues

[Chazz of Blades]

What are all the symptoms of a trike needing a good valve adjustment?

[Dirtcrasher]

Noisy, won't start easy when warm, excessive clearance. Adjust them, it can't hurt...........

[tri again]

I wonder if valves are more inclined to loosen or tighten over time?

on these honda trikes in particular.

Some car / truck engines get tighter for a few different reasons and then burn or warp.

[Dirtcrasher]

From what I've seen:

I'd say the adjustable rocker valves loosen up due to cam wear etc.

The new 4 strokes tighten up because they use shims and run at such high RPM's hammering into the valve seats.

[Chazz of Blades]

Would valve clearance being off cause a lowering of engine power?


My 200es definantly needs an adjustment, it has high compression, 10w-30 oil in it, and it WILL NOT start with the pullstart, and takes alot of spinning before it'll hit enough times to run, then takes a while before it'll idle.

[tri again]

well, I DO know that the cool trikes around here start if you look at them crosseyed.

Of course, some of the lesser used trikes need some serious attention, but I digress.

1st or 2nd kick/pull at most.

Maybe 3 or 4 if it's cold and they've been un run for a month or so.

You could at least check the valves right? It's not too scary
esp with those big caps with the rubber 'o' rings,

Anything else adjusted (carb) will be off if the valves and timing aren't done first with most engines in general. Valve timing included.

[bcredneck]

i check mine every 2 weeks if im ridding about every 5th time i check at least one is slightly out if they lossen off to much it will start clicking if you ignore it it can snap a rocker one of the bikes i got free was like that

[tri again]

I got an 87 br, orig owner, that sounded like a disgusting rod knock.
200$

Made me sick to hear it run from 50 feet.

Someone adjusted the valves without checking the tdc timing marks
and the valve lash would fit a full folded matchbook.

Quick adjustment to the valves and the thing has been perfect for 100+ hrs now.

I would have bet a 30+ year tool collection that it was a terminal rod knock until I realized the knock
timed perfectly with the exhaust pulses.

Very strange. but fascinating that it did NOT coincide with timing light flashes.

The more I learn it seems the less I know.

[Headsup]

^^^
yepp how it is with most of us anyway..

[Chazz of Blades]

Alright, I've never done valves on anything before, and I'm a bit nervous. I haven't the slightest idea of any steps other than *Take the valve cover off*

[rdlsz24]

No need to take the valve cover off, there are access caps. Download the manual and it tells you how to do it step by step. Only takes a few minutes to do

Rob

[Chazz of Blades]

I've managed to find an owner's manual for an 84 200es, but I can't find a service/shop manual.

[Bretmd94]

If you find a 200x manual that will probably work good enough. I was clueless on valve adjustments as well and went for it with my Honda service manual.

I am glad I did too. I took the intake cap off and the pin and lock nut had both come loose and were just rolling around in the head.

Just make sure you have a set of feelers. If not you can get those at most hardware stores.

[ailll1]

http://72.52.143.80/~trikes/Manuals/ATC%20manuals/
Here's what your looking for.

[Chazz of Blades]

Well, I just got finished adjusting the valves for the first time, ever.


I spent a lot longer than usual being precise, I did the exhaust valve first, it was wwaaayyy loose.


One problem though, I barely had the slightest bit of room to try and adjust the intake valve, and no matter what I did the lock nut would't loosen. I mean I tried everything I could, so I crossed my fingers and slid the feeler under it, and felt it grip enough, so it was alright as is.

Took it out to ride in the yard, it's starting problems fixed(before it'd take 15 seconds of winding or more to even hit, and would NOT pullstart), and noticed its decided not to get nearly the fuel it needs. Carb's fine, it was cleaned not not ago, tanks fine, but the hose is so curvy I think it's just not getting fuel to the carb. Oh well.