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installing black rocker covers- question

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Old Sep 1, 2007 | 06:48 PM
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Default installing black rocker covers- question

okay, i just got my parts from zanotti's and i'm hoping to tackle this job this weekend- tomorrow, actually ...i have a question, though, for those who've done this...

....that bottom rocker cover, which i think is actually called the "rocker arm support plate"- do you need to follow the directions in the manual for lowering the lifters to the base circle of the cam? ....or can you just remove the rocker arm bolts that hold it on and all will be cool?

thanks, paul
 
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Old Sep 1, 2007 | 08:50 PM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

go by what the manual says js.
Word for word.

mud

ORIGINAL: js1268

okay, i just got my parts from zanotti's and i'm hoping to tackle this job this weekend- tomorrow, actually ...i have a question, though, for those who've done this...

....that bottom rocker cover, which i think is actually called the "rocker arm support plate"- do you need to follow the directions in the manual for lowering the lifters to the base circle of the cam? ....or can you just remove the rocker arm bolts that hold it on and all will be cool?

thanks, paul
 
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Old Sep 1, 2007 | 09:41 PM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

Make sure your rockers are not opening either valve when removing the rocker arms. There should be little to no stress on them. Also you can only do one cylinder at a time. I did mine last week, not a bad job, take you time.
 
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Old Sep 2, 2007 | 10:26 AM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

follow it to the T.... it helps to have 2 guys doing it cause you have to remove and reinstall the bolts in 3/4 turn sements so that they go on perfectly strait! get the dog bone adapter for your torque wrench.... if you need any more help PM me and i will shoot you my phone number.... I just did it last week
 
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Old Sep 2, 2007 | 11:14 PM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

I'm saving this thread. Doing this same thing myself in a few months and was a little leary about trying it on my own.

Gladto know I spent my money the right way buying the service and parts manuals. Joining this forum was the second smartest thing I did.
 
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 07:29 AM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

yah, i'm not going to do this job until i have completely visualized doing it with every bit of instruction and tool at my disposal ....i'm a pretty handy guy and love doing all kinds of mechanical work, so i have confidence.... and if the bike wasn't so damn new, i'd be all over it... i just don't want to come across an obstacle or something that i'm unsure about, and then start drawing illogical conclusions about what to do.... because that's one way you can really mess things up!

for instance, in the manual it says to "...rotate rear wheel in a clockwise direction until the base circle is found."

...what's the "base circle?"
 
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 07:56 AM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

"...rotate rear wheel in a clockwise direction until the base circle is found."

...what's the "base circle?"

Good idea to exercise caution paul.

It's really not that bigga deal. Time consuming.
Maybe have a friend with some experience
lend a hand.

base circle -
the camshaft opens and closes the valves
the lobes control the lifting
at the base the lifters are in the full down position
for a period of time.

you want to have both lifters down on one cylinder.
perform the operation.
then move to the other cylinder.

mud




ORIGINAL: js1268

yah, i'm not going to do this job until i have completely visualized doing it with every bit of instruction and tool at my disposal ....i'm a pretty handy guy and love doing all kinds of mechanical work, so i have confidence.... and if the bike wasn't so damn new, i'd be all over it... i just don't want to come across an obstacle or something that i'm unsure about, and then start drawing illogical conclusions about what to do.... because that's one way you can really mess things up!

for instance, in the manual it says to "...rotate rear wheel in a clockwise direction until the base circle is found."

...what's the "base circle?"
 
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 08:11 AM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

hey mud,

how do you know when the base circle has actually been found? .....is it visual?...i mean, can you actually see the lifters moving into the down position from looking down onto the rocker arm plate as a friend is rotating the rear wheel?

i just want to anticipate the job by having visualized what i'm going to do, you know.... sounds crazy, but i know being the perfectionist that some of us are, this sort of attitude certainly helps...and thanks for your confidence in me, by the way!

paul
 
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 11:04 AM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

ORIGINAL: js1268

hey mud,

how do you know when the base circle has actually been found? .....is it visual?...i mean, can you actually see the lifters moving into the down position from looking down onto the rocker arm plate as a friend is rotating the rear wheel?

i just want to anticipate the job by having visualized what i'm going to do, you know.... sounds crazy, but i know being the perfectionist that some of us are, this sort of attitude certainly helps...and thanks for your confidence in me, by the way!

paul
Wise move to plan ahead thoughfully paul.

With the rocker covers off,
you will see the rocker arms, end of valve stem, etc.

You want both valves seated on one cylinder at a time.

I use the starter button to turn the motor.

mud
 
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Old Sep 3, 2007 | 01:40 PM
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Default RE: installing black rocker covers- question

Watch the intake valve as you rotate the back tire, once the intake valve is all the way closed, you should be on the base circle. The cam is almost always on the base circle when the cylinder is on TDC (compression stroke). Be sure you are on the compression stroke, and not 180 degrees off, or you will be on overlap ( both valves off the seat).
 
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