Valve Adjustment Instructions (SOLVED)

[brock29609]

I searched long and hard for plain-spoken, photo-filled valve adjustment instructions with no real luck. Fortunately, I remembered that the previous owner of my '95 1100 gave me a copy of the fall 1996 issue of Motorcycle Cruiser magazine, which clearly laid out the process (along with an interesting 1100 shoot-out between the Virago 1100 Special, ACE 1100 and Shadow 1100). Attached is a scan of the instructions.

Enjoy!

[madhatter4119]

Good deal...Thanks

[Jake]

Thanks, moved this to the Tech Articles

[Streetmedik]

Super cool!

[1987xv535]

Don't leave us hanging...how did the Virago do in the shootout?

[brock29609]

It's amazing how much detail magazines went into back then. Print media has certainly changed.

The Virago won, though they recommended the base model over the Special. The ACE came in 3rd.

[Mackster66]

Thank you very much for posting this. I've been trying to follow the Clymer manual for this process but it is not nearly as clear as this article. After reading it (and keeping it handy during the process) I had my valves adjusted perfectly in just about an hour. It solved the nasty tapping sound coming from the rear cylinder.

[faffi]

I have read several tests and comparison tests where the Virago 1100 was the performance king. I have only ridden one Virago 1100, and that was against a 1985 Shadow 1100 (higher performance than the 1987 and later Shadows, but not better than the Virago according to period tests) and the Honda just killed the Virago in top gear roll-ons. The faster we went, the greater the advantage of the Honda. I have also ridden a Honda 1100 ACE and it was just lame and couldn't pull hills in top gear that my KZ650 goes up without even straining. Production tolerances apparently play an important role.

Oh, and back on topic - thanks for posting the procedure

[seren]

Thanks, very helpful