Valve Clearance for 84 Cali II ?

[Peter949]

I wanted to ask the group if I can tighten up the factory owners manual settings which states:

0.22 mm for 'both' Inlet + Exhaust Valves or 0.0086 inches.

I did see some people suggest 0.005 inches for the inlet, and 0.007 inches for the exhaust valves.

For the past 6 years I have set the valves to 0.008 inches clearance





,

but it certainly does have quite the valve clatter!

[troyhamilton]

a quite valve is a soon to be burnt valve!

[fotoguzzi]

a quite quiet  valve is a soon to be burnt valve!

[guzzisteve]

You're safe at that I do mine at .009"

[bigbikerrick]

Steve, you do both the intake and exhaust at .009" on your cal II?
Thanks
Rick.

[pete roper]

It's a squarefin. 4 and 6 thou is fine.

[bigbikerrick]

Thanks Pete. Those clearances should quiet things down just a tad.   
Rick.

[pete roper]

There was a period in the late '90's-early '00's when they tried 2 & 4 thou on the 1100's, presumably for noise reasons. With those clearances the engines were prone to stalling after a long, hard flogging or if you sat in gridlock in 100*F heat for ages but the basic squarefin architecture didn't really change from day one of the Mk III LeMans in 83. The FI bikes run considerably hotter due to better fueling than the carbed bikes so 4 & 6 on a Carbed squarefin, any carbed squarefin, is wildly conservative and perfectly safe. For roundfins I use 5 & 7.

Never burnt a valve or trashed a tappet yet. 40 years is a long time.

[Peter949]

Thank you Pete for explaining the valve clearance variations on the different Guzzi models. With both clearances set at 0.008 inches, there was indeed a very harsh 'knock' and rattle when the engine oil was hot.  For certain this year, I will tighten up the clearances to your suggestions! 

Peter

[pete roper]

Any 'Knock' is unlikely to be valve lash related. It's a nearly 40 year old motorbike. Has the engine ever been apart? It's probably worn out.

Pete

[pete roper]

Places I'd look first would be the cam retainer thrust plate and if it hasn't been done for a while, or ever, the camchain. New chain, plate and a decent tensioner and it will probably stop sounding like a suitcase full of rocks being thrown down a mineshaft!

[Kevin M]

Remember, a tappy valve, is a happy valve!

[Peter949]

Thanks again Pete for your advise on the cam retainer thrust plate, and timing chain.  The engine has not been apart, and it now has about 135,000  kilometers on it. It runs fine, nice and smooth and burns almost no oil. However at times that harsh sound is quite concerning. After I finish up with the new clutch repairs, I will open up the front cover and take a look.