How do I know if I need my ATV valves adjusted?
How To Tell if Your Valves Need Checking
- You’ll hear a distinct clatter from the valve area – this points to lose valves.
- At times you might hear a click sound while idling.
- You may notice a subtle loss of power (compression).
- The bike could start overheating.
- The intake valves tend to get tighter.
How do you adjust the pushrod on a Sportster?
Pushrod Adjustment
- Bring Cam to Base circle for the tappets you wish to adjust. Rotate the engine.
- Adjust the pushrods. Bring pushrods to Zero lash, no up and down movement, tight against rocker arm, and tight against tappet/lifter.
- If you cannot spin the pushrod, you have S&S Limited Travel tappets (HL2T kit).
Do Harleys need valve adjustment?
Hydraulic tappets (or “lifters”) Found primarily on Harley-Davidsons and other low-revving V-twins, these use pressurized engine oil to automatically provide clearance between the rocker arm tip and the valve stem. Valve adjustment occurs automagically every time you ride.
Do you have to adjust the valves on a Harley Davidson?
The truth is that Harley-Davidson Sportster and Big Twin Engines since the early 1980s have been built with hydraulic lifters in the valve train, which means that you never have to adjust the valves. They stay adjusted automatically.
What kind of motor oil does a 1972 ironhead Sportster use?
Be sure to inspect primary shoe for wear and to see that it is held in place tight on 1952 to 1976 models. For 1971 and later, with a wet clutch, a quart of 20w50 motor oil works well. No special Harley yuppie juice required. If you have a clutch that likes to drag make up a quart of 1/2 20w50 and half ATF.
How much slack should an ironhead Sportster have?
DO NOT NEGLECT THE PRIMARY AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE. It does not use much oil and it should be changed regularly. Keep the Primary Chain properly adjusted. With engine COLD it should have 5/8″ to 7/8″ slack and HOT 3/8″ to 5/8″.