Breva 1100 valve adjustment help

[Moto Rizzi]

I did my first valve adjustment today and I hear more noise than before. Could I have opened to much or not enough. I did .004 on intake and .006 on exhaust. I used the straw at highest point by spinning rear tire because I didn't have a big enough socket. It is tapping pretty loud. Really was hoping to get it right the first time. Any help appreciated.

[Vasco DG]

You have almost certainly set the valves up at the wrong TDC. There are two in the engine's cycle.

Whip the covers off again, remove the outer plush, put it in top and turn the rear wheel in the direction of driven rotation. Watch the inlet valve. See it open, then close. You are now on the compression stroke. Keep turning using your straw to find TDC. Set valves to 4 and 6 thou. Repeat for other cylinder.

[Moto Rizzi]

You have almost certainly set the valves up at the wrong TDC. There are two in the engine's cycle.

Whip the covers off again, remove the outer plush, put it in top and turn the rear wheel in the direction of driven rotation. Watch the inlet valve. See it open, then close. You are now on the compression stroke. Keep turning using your straw to find TDC. Set valves to 4 and 6 thou. Repeat for other cylinder.

Ok I will remove cover and outer plug. Before I spin rear tire am I supposed to do anything else. A little confused now. Otherwise your saying there are 2 tdc and I hit the wrong one.

[Vasco DG]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Do you understand how a four stroke poppet valve engine works?

[Moto Rizzi]

That's exactly what I'm saying. Do you understand how a four stroke poppet valve engine works?
[/quote

Not exactly but I think I understand that I need to be on the compression stroke. I must have missed that part. Also should the feeler be a little tight or more loose. Thanks for your help.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

you hit the tdc during the exhaust stroke instead during the compression stroke

[bad Chad]

Go easy on him guys, like me setting Galveston be a lot more intimidating than you guys with just a bit more aptitude might realize.   One of those good diagrams showing how it works can really be helpful to some of us.   Walk him through slow, I now it's hard to u understand for you guys,but for some of us this is major work.  Not that we can't do it, just that it comes far from natural.

[Craig in Alabama]

Hi,

If you put your finger in the spark plug hole while you rotate the rear wheel, you can tell when you're on the compression stoke.

Cheers!
Craig

[Moto Rizzi]

Go easy on him guys, like me setting Galveston be a lot more intimidating than you guys with just a bit more aptitude might realize.   One of those good diagrams showing how it works can really be helpful to some of us.   Walk him through slow, I now it's hard to u understand for you guys,but for some of us this is major work.  Not that we can't do it, just that it comes far from natural.

I thought there English was bad. Well anyway I think I have it figured out. Sometimes too much info you read makes it seem harder than it is. I should of paid attention to the compression stroke. Now I get to do all over again. The good news is its been raining again.

[oldbike54]

I thought there English was bad. Well anyway I think I have it figured out. Sometimes too much info you read makes it seem harder than it is. I should of paid attention to the compression stroke. Now I get to do all over again. The good news is its been raining again.

 I never have trouble setting my Galveston , setting a Nacogdoches can be a bit tricky however 

 Dusty

[bad Chad]

Auto correct on my daughter's Kindel is making me sound like a moron!

[Vasco DG]

Chad, its not that I'm trying to be 'Hard' on anybody but understanding the fundamentals of how a 4C engine works is vital if you are going to undertake this sort of task. if you don't understand? Then take it to someone who does or, if you want to do it yourself? Ask all the questions BEFORE you start and screw something up!

There is no shame in this. I can think of several highly entertaining posts of admitted self inflicted cock-up-itis that have been mentioned on this board. Bill's famous "Why is my oil light coming on on my EV?' after he did his first filter change for instance. or my awful 'Red Face' moment hen I shattered the cam chain tensioner on Mark S's bike All very embarrasing but far better to find out, fess up and learn than to goof up and damage something.

pete

[oldbike54]

Auto correct on my daughter's Kindel is making me sound like a moron!

 I call it the Kev m syndrome  Maybe his boy Shay would be willing to hire out 

  Dusty

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

This is a pretty common messup, not that big of a deal, but can cause some head scratching.

always best to ask and double check if in doubt!

[oldbike54]

Chad, its not that I'm trying to be 'Hard' on anybody but understanding the fundamentals of how a 4C engine works is vital if you are going to undertake this sort of task. if you don't understand? Then take it to someone who does or, if you want to do it yourself? Ask all the questions BEFORE you start and screw something up!

There is no shame in this. I can think of several highly entertaining posts of admitted self inflicted cock-up-itis that have been mentioned on this board. Bill's famous "Why is my oil light coming on on my EV?' after he did his first filter change for instance. or my awful 'Red Face' moment hen I shattered the cam chain tensioner on Mark S's bike All very embarrasing but far better to find out, fess up and learn than to goof up and damage something.

pete

 Having never screwed up a mechanical task myself this all sounds very foreign . Well , except for just recently mounting a tire with the dot 90 degrees out , and then the time I shattered a very expensive brand new Hepolite piston . Oh , and the time I crossed the points wiring on an old dual point Triumph , took all day to sort that out  OK never mind 

  Dusty

[bad Chad]

Inded Pete.   We're all on the same page here.   Funny how we all.get caught up, I forgot about those mishaps.  We're all friends with the same end, to help our fellow Guzziista!

[M0T0Geezer]

How to find TDCC and adjust Guzzi valves by the numbers:

Finding Top Dead Center on Compression (TDCC):
  (0) Engine must be dead cold (sitting overnight).
  (1) Secure bike vertical then jack rear wheel 1-2" off ground.
  (2) Remove all spark plugs and plastic valve covers.
  (3) Put tranny into top gear by rocking rear wheel by hand.
  (4) Put a straw or chopstick in one Spark Plug hole.
  (5) Rotate rear wheel forward and watch the straw move.
  (6) Find Top Dead Center (there are two).
      This will be when maximum straw is visible outside the cylinder.
  (7) Be sure you are at the TDC AFTER the COMPRESSION stroke ("TDCC").
  (8) TDCC will be that highest point of the piston in its stroke, which is
      between when the intake valve has just closed and BEFORE the exhaust
      valve begins to open (this is the point at which the cylinder fires).
  (9) Visually verify TDCC with slight rotations of the rear wheel each way.
 (10) Grab each valve tappet above the valve stem and push it up and down.
      You should be able to feel a small "click" of movement.
      No click means your valve(s) clearance(s) are set too tight.
      Too tight (no click) is worse than too slack ("big" click).
 (11) Adjust clearances for both valves at TDCC for that cylinder.
 (12) Repeat Steps 4-10 for the other cylinder.

[ohiorider]

One more thing ..... make certain whatever stick you use isn't something that can be easily snapped.  I've found that the Guzzi engine, with both outer plugs removed, will sometimes turn more than you might expect it to (probably the crank balance weights doing this??) and attempt to pinch the stick.  I've noticed this more when using the bolt on the front of the crank to turn the engine over vs bumping while in top gear.

[Moto Rizzi]

After redoing 3 times all seems good. I think I had the gap a little loose second time around. Thanks for all the help here. I changed the glow plugs on my sons F250 7.3 and got a little over confident. Sometimes we all need a little ass kicking.

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Found a youtube video on adjusting valves on a 1200 Sport. It's good and it might be helpful. Found it under "Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport valve adjustment". It also has an animation of how the piston & valves work. 

[tris]

Not done mine yet, but does ICEO work on the Breva 1100?

http://www.motoguzziclub.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19676&KW=iceo

[ken farr]

How to find TDCC and adjust Guzzi valves by the numbers:

Finding Top Dead Center on Compression (TDCC):
  (0) Engine must be dead cold (sitting overnight).
  (1) Secure bike vertical then jack rear wheel 1-2" off ground.
  (2) Remove all spark plugs and plastic valve covers.
  (3) Put tranny into top gear by rocking rear wheel by hand.
  (4) Put a straw or chopstick in one Spark Plug hole.
  (5) Rotate rear wheel forward and watch the straw move.
  (6) Find Top Dead Center (there are two).
      This will be when maximum straw is visible outside the cylinder.
  (7) Be sure you are at the TDC AFTER the COMPRESSION stroke ("TDCC").
  (8) TDCC will be that highest point of the piston in its stroke, which is
      between when the intake valve has just closed and BEFORE the exhaust
      valve begins to open (this is the point at which the cylinder fires).
  (9) Visually verify TDCC with slight rotations of the rear wheel each way.
 (10) Grab each valve tappet above the valve stem and push it up and down.
      You should be able to feel a small "click" of movement.
      No click means your valve(s) clearance(s) are set too tight.
      Too tight (no click) is worse than too slack ("big" click).
 (11) Adjust clearances for both valves at TDCC for that cylinder.
 (12) Repeat Steps 4-10 for the other cylinder.

This.

Now go to Harbor Freight, or maybe Sears, and buy a socket for the nut at the end of the crank.  Soooo much eaiser than spinning the rear wheel. 
I DON'T LIKE PUTTING ANYTHING DOWN THE SPARK PLUG HOLE.....because, I know what will happen when I do......
Also when you believe you are TDC, ( on compression ), the valve push rods will not be under any compression, and you can spin both intake and exhaust.....just for confirmation.

You'll get the hang of it, it'll become an easy task.
You've already screwed up, so that's outta the way.......

Let me tell you 'bout the time I......


kjf