Really nice valve adjustment tool (available again)

[moto]

This is a follow up to an old thread started by Moto, who used to be me before I turned into user moto.

I did buy the special 11mm valve adjusting tool that was referred to in the thread, and have just used it for the first time. It's superb, more precisely machined than I expected, and also larger than I thought, making it easier to manipulate the valve stem and lock nut. The arm is four inches long.





https://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Valve-Adjustment-Tool-850-1000-1100-Big-Blocks-NEW/142165705809?hash=item2119bc8451:g:9LMAAM

A drawback that is not mentioned in the page for the tool is that you will need to buy four special 11mm nuts if you have an earlier Tonti. The hex was 13mm until about 1979, per MG Cycle. The special 11mm hex nut that superceded the old one is part number 10034100. This nut continued to be used through the 2-valve CARCs like my Griso.

With the new nuts installed, it is a breeze to very accurately adjust the valves. Though this is certainly a luxury rather than a necessity, it is a pleasure, as always, to use a really well made tool.

Moto

[Chuck in Indiana]

it is a pleasure, as always, to use a really well made tool.

Of course, I'm a tool guy.. but.. ^^^^^ this.

[moto]

Of course, I'm a tool guy.. but.. ^^^^^ this.

I think you'd like it. (Just a guess.)

Using the parts manual, I also confirmed that the same nuts are used on the V7 III, for the small block folks.

Here's an additional photo comparing this 11mm tool to the (also nice, but really not as nice) Motion Pro 9mm tool I have for my Italjet, to show the difference in size.

[john fish]

Nice tool.  I have the Motion Pro version and use it on my MZ (with Yamaha engine) and Guzzis.
Like this:

shorturl.at/uMP39

Well worth the cash.

[bad Chad]

Bump

[lucky phil]

Being a "tool guy" I'd categorise the OP's tool as decent and workman like plus good value. It would need to be a few rungs higher up the ladder to be categorised as "nice" for mine.

Ciao

[Chuck in Indiana]

Being a "tool guy" I'd categorise the OP's tool as decent and workman like plus good value. It would need to be a few rungs higher up the ladder to be categorised as "nice" for mine.

Ciao

Well, the welding is a little crude, but the knurling is nicely done. Snap On is "nice"  but would probably be $200.
Note to self. Need to make one of those..

[john fish]

Yes, Chuck, you do.  I find the Skorpion valves to be a bit of a pain in the ass to adjust without this tool.  Of course, I'm used to the easily accessed Guzzi valves.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yes, Chuck, you do.  I find the Skorpion valves to be a bit of a pain in the ass to adjust without this tool.  Of course, I'm used to the easily accessed Guzzi valves.

No, they are a big pain in the ass. Adjust the valves on a Yamaha engine? Pfttt. They did that at the fact ory.

[80CX100]

     I did a quick search with the usual suppliers for what's available to me locally in Canada, and the 11 mm wrench tool seems to be a rare unavailable bird, lots of 7-8-10 mm but no 11 mm and they seemed pricey for what they are.

     I've used a variety of little wrenches over the years, but the last set of valves I adjusted was on a friend's "new to him" bike and I didn't have my normal assortment of small wrenches etc.

     Due to a lack of available tools in a strange garage, I used an 11 mm box end wrench and my fingertips, I think it was the easiest valve adjustment job ever,lol, definitely a better feel, and one less tool to drop or misplace,lol.

     fwiw

     Kelly

     

[Dave Swanson]

No one loves tools more than I do, and I had my mouse hovering over the buy it now button, but I started thinking about how easy it is to adjust the valves with an box end wrench and I paused.

The price isn't a problem, and I may buy it anyway, but the question is why?      How much easier can this tool really make this operation..... 

[s1120]

Well I clicked that buy box!!!  I mean I have plenty of wrenches, and tools.. some special, and some not. I didnt NEED it.. but it looks like a handy tool to move into my "motorcycle" tool chest. I have so many tools for my cars, tractors, house, equipment, that I started making special boxes just for the different special tools..

[moto]

As for "nice," it's a tool, not a fetish. It's the one the Demiurge would have crafted with an eye toward its usefulness, period.

I've also used my fingers and a box end wrench for the job. An advantage of this tool over my fingers is that its knob provides a good amount of counter-torque to hold the adjuster in position while the nut is tightened. It's also handier than juggling a separate wrench and screwdriver pliers along with a feeler gauge. You can let go of any or all parts while you work:





Its "screwdriver" part is sized correctly for the with a wide slot for the Guzzi adjuster, which would probably not be the case for a generic 11mm tool, if one were made. The wrench is also a close fit on the nut. In all, there is little play in this Guzzi-specific tool.

I looked over the other items offered by the Ebay seller, guzzidaveracing, and found a 10mm version of this tool for the earlier small blocks. It seems to be the same size as mine, judging from the photo. But for anyone (like John?) with both small blocks and Yamahas requiring a slot-drive 10mm tool it would be better to stick with the much smaller Motion Pro. The tiny Motion Pro is the bomb for tiny Yamaha components, including those in the Yamaha clone powering my Italjet.

Sadly, it seems the remaining three tools were sold overnight! Maybe he'll offer another batch later.

Moto

[s1120]

Sadly, it seems the remaining three tools were sold overnight! Maybe he'll offer another batch later.

Moto

Ya looks like I got the last one. :) 

[lucky phil]

Well, the welding is a little crude, but the knurling is nicely done. Snap On is "nice"  but would probably be $200.
Note to self. Need to make one of those..

Yes Chuck, the "nice" comes at a price. Some of the factory Ducati tooling I have falls into the "nice" category but was costly. This is decent value and If I was adjusting valves a few times a week I'd buy one but dont have the need in reality as on a Guzzi valve adjustment is a doddle with normal hand tools.

Ciao   

[TN Mark]

I think it was Dave Richardson who made a fantastic valve adjustment tool many years ago. It worked perfectly on my old Guzzi’s.

[moto]

There are more of the 11mm adjusters available now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Valve-Adjustment-Tool-Big-Small-Blocks-500-750-850-1000-1100-CHOOSE/131826913769?hash=item1eb17f11e9:g:9LMAAMXQySpRXbFi

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

[twowheeladdict]

I use a square drive screw and a cut off open ended wrench to adjust the valves. I drove the screw into a little piece of hardwood.

Gets the job done.

[Kev m]

There are more of the 11mm adjusters available now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Valve-Adjustment-Tool-Big-Small-Blocks-500-750-850-1000-1100-CHOOSE/131826913769?hash=item1eb17f11e9:g:9LMAAMXQySpRXbFi

 

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

There are more of the 11mm adjusters available now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-Valve-Adjustment-Tool-Big-Small-Blocks-500-750-850-1000-1100-CHOOSE/131826913769?hash=item1eb17f11e9:g:9LMAAMXQySpRXbFi

I just ordered one. Never have adjusted valves on anything. Unless over-revving and destroying stuff counts! Thanks for the find.

[Huzo]

Me too, except I use an 11mm ring spinner for the hex.

[larrys]

I use a 3" long adjustable end wrench for the adjuster stem, and a 11mm box wrench.
Larry

[Kev m]

I've always done it by hand or with a wrench and various pliers (needle nose, vise grips etc.).

HOWEVER, I ordered this in the 11 mm version for my smallblocks and it looks perfect. I bet it will be easier to hold the valve adjuster even more precisely when tightening the lock nut.

 

[moto]

  to both buyers!

I've used every combination of little tools for the job but not any more!

[s1120]

I used mine for the first time last night. I like it. Ya, Its easy enough without it, but it does make it a little nicer not having to fumble with some form of pliers to turn the adjuster..  Easy to make tiny adjustments on the knob as your holding it on the adjuster. Its nice, and I think it was worth buying.