Any better instructions on how to check your valves then the manual?

[panaman]

I've never checked valves before on any motorcycle I own. I've never personally even seen a valve. I was reading the manual on this and it throws you all over the place and has some of the worst pictures on the planet.

I have a feeler gauge but the pictures of the wierd measuring tool they use in the manual looks nothing like my feeler guage.

Also, where doyou buy new valve pads in case you need different sizes.... i take it the dealer sells them? do they come in like lots of 100 or something, i have no idea.....

A couple other things that looks a little confising is making sure the piston is top dead center...... the pictures look a little vague.

I figure since my bike was new in august that I could try and tackle the task of checking my own valves this winter.

[GuyGraham]

a feeler gauge is all you need - just select your appropriate thickness and shove it between the cam lobe and the bucket (or not if its too thick)

to make sure the engine is on top dead centre, on the compression stroke, the mark has to be visible in the inspection window (on the rotor) to indicte TDC, and the cam lobs point away form each other indicate that it is the compression stroke

New shims (or valve pads) can be bought from your local stealer or ebay idvidually. Many shops do an exchange service

[panaman]

a feeler gauge is all you need - just select your appropriate thickness and shove it between the cam lobe and the bucket (or not if its too thick)

to make sure the engine is on top dead centre, on the compression stroke, the mark has to be visible in the inspection window (on the rotor) to indicte TDC, and the cam lobs point away form each other indicate that it is the compression stroke

New shims (or valve pads) can be bought from your local stealer or ebay idvidually. Many shops do an exchange service

Since, I'm not riding right now, I suppose I should just tear into the thing sometime in the near future. I am sure I will have more questions and more things from the manual will make sence once I physically see it.

[William1]

I would get someone with experience to be with you the first time. He can teach you the correct feel and show you some tricks.

This what I do on all engines.

Pop the valve cover off, rotate the engine in its' normal direction until the intake lobe is pointing 180 degrees (more or less, eyeballing is fine) away from the bucket or rocker. I measure, then rotate the engine and do the other cam lobes. Once the tank is off, this is a ten minite job, at most. Plan on an hour your first time.

Buy a good set of feeler gages.

[wr450fLee]

What is the correct size for wr450f 07, I think I read 0.75 if I remember correctly, Does this sound correct?

[123BigcoopDawg576]

What is the correct size for wr450f 07

[mweitz]

Here is a walkthrough that may be helpful.

Make sure you clean everything well. I wrapped saran wrap around the frame when I did mine which kept the dirt and wires / cables out of the way. I removed the wrap when I was finished.

http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21788