Valve clearance check joy!

[alan]

I started pulling my ST1300 apart today while the snow was falling so I can check the valve clearances. I can see why the dealers charge so much for this service, sure is a lot of stuff to remove. I got to the point in the instructions where Honda says to line up the T1 timing mark. The only way to line up the mark is to remove the front wheel so you can look into the timing hole! I also had to remove the ignition coil on the left side to get the valve cover off, the instructions did not mention this, but the wiring is packed so tight this was the only way I could get enough room to lift the cover. Hope I can get all the parts back together again.

[dond]

I started pulling my ST1300 apart today while the snow was falling so I can check the valve clearances. I can see why the dealers charge so much for this service, sure is a lot of stuff to remove. I got to the point in the instructions where Honda says to line up the T1 timing mark. The only way to line up the mark is to remove the front wheel so you can look into the timing hole! I also had to remove the ignition coil on the left side to get the valve cover off, the instructions did not mention this, but the wiring is packed so tight this was the only way I could get enough room to lift the cover. Hope I can get all the parts back together again.
Turn the engine over til the cam lobes point at your nose...180 from full open. EZ. The 1ST time I too removed the coil the second time not.
Valve clearnces were fine and the second check showed them more in the middle of the range in metric.

[Hewhois]

Turn the engine over til the cam lobes point at your nose...180 from full open. EZ. The 1ST time I too removed the coil the second time not.
Valve clearnces were fine and the second check showed them more in the middle of the range in metric.

Sounds similar to my current ride, 1150RT. I put the bike into 5th gear, then line up the arrow on the cam chain pully by rotating the back tire in the direction of normal travel with your hand. Same on the ST1300? I imagine if there is no arrow, once you do find TDC you can mark one for yourself for next time? On the RT you can tell it is lined up right when one set (intake) of valves are loose and the other set (exhast) are tight, or vice versa when doing the opposite set. Same on ST? I'm hoping the ST valves stay adjusted longer than an RT's does.

Local dealer supposedely getting the '05 ST1300 in next week. Very good chance I'll be getting one :)

[dond]

I'm hoping the ST valves stay adjusted longer than an RT's does.



They do, mine were in the middle at 57K miles. 8)

[alan]

Well I finished checking the valve clearances and all are within the required clearances. All eight exhausts were right at .010, six intakes were right at .006 and two intakes were at .005. The bike has 24,000 miles on it so I guess that the clearances will probably hold forever like Don mentions above. :)