Posted by Frank on May 24, 2002 at 03:11:54:
In Reply to: valve gap settings for 1997 650 savage posted by Jim Chaufty on May 22, 2002 at 14:42:05:
First of all, check them with a feeler gauge to see if they need it or not. I have found it to be kind of a bitch. While I beleive I get the intake set and exhuast set within .003-.005, I never get them exactly the same. You first need to remove the seat and tank. Remove left and right chrome head covers. Remove spark plug. Remove front and rear valve cover plates. Remove crankshaft nut cover (round cap on left side crankcase with a large slot). Be careful not to gouge the cover as you will be paying a mechanic to remove it and buy another one. Use a socket wrench and turn the crankshaft lug nut clockwise (according to Clymer) until the white stripe lines up with the index mark on the cover. jiggle you rocker arms on both intake and exhaust. you should get a little movement. That means your cam is not putting presure on your valves. That's what you want. Now stick a feeler guage (start with .005). If .005 fits, then try .006. If .006 fits, then your valves are too loose. Likewise, if .002 fits, your valves are set too tight. Otherwise, leave it alone and check again in another 2.5-3K miles. To adjust, start with either intake or exhaust, loosen the locknut on each valve stem. With your feeler guage (I recommed .004 right in the middle)inserted between the rocker arm and the valve stem, tight the adjuster screw just tight enough to slide the feeler back and forth with a litte resistance. Now the bithc part. While keeping the screw from turning, tighten your locknut down. Once completed, you should be able to slide your .004 guage back and fourth with some resistance. The .006 feeler guage should not fit and your .005 should at least be tight. Do this for each valve until exact, then button the bike back up. OH yeah, and make sure the bike is completely cold. Everything I have read suggest that you let the bike sit after running for twelve hours. Good luck. You really should just pluck donw the 12-15bucks for the Clymer.