when adjusting clearances the tappet stem has vertical play in it, is that normal?
i cant seem to get compression back after i adjusted my clearance.
the only thing i adjusted is the exaust lifter and the tappet clearances. the exaust lifter is well clear and not interfearing. the exaust valve looks to be in good shape(have not taken it out). carbon build up isnt the issue. i am stumped where my compression loss is. Headgasket replaced. getting 60 psi on compression test.

BSA,s have a special cam with only a small position without any lift. Did you follow the procedure according to the handbook ?

As Mike says, because of the 'silencing ramps' machined onto BSA cams they are only fully closed for a very short section of the cycle and it is in this position that the tappets should be set...

Set the tappet clearances as follows...

Turn the engine over until the inlet valve is closing...When the inlet tappet is JUST fee to rotate (but there is virtually no clearance) then set the exhaust tappet clearance, followed by the setting of the valve lifter...

After these are set, slowly turn the engine over until the exhaust tappet clearance is JUST taken up and you cannot rotate the tappet....Then set the inlet tappet clearance...

After setting clearances and tightening the locknuts recheck that the final settings are correct...Inlet..010"...Exhaust..012"....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

apperently not setting the clearances correctly.

when i set my wrench on the tappet stem it moves up and down a slight bit making it difficult to get the right setting.

Back to original question, should the stem be moving at all if i am doing it correctly.


P.S. Forgive me if my questions are ignorant. This is my first bike and i am learning as i go.

thanks for the quick responses

i will give it another go!

hopefully i will get some compression back.

If set to, say 1/8" clearance, the tappet would be free to move vertically by that amount...(and 1/8" would then be the 'tappet clearance'...)

The figures I quoted in my last post are the actual clearance figures...So, after you have reset the clearances the tappets will be free to move vertically by that amount..(.010" and .012"..

If this is your first bike and you don't have a copy of the factory worksheets for this model you should get them....They are available in reprint and from Henk (on this forum) on disc....

These contain much of the information you will need to sort out many of the problems..and there's the forum of course...Good luck with the bike...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

yeah i got henk's cd and the original riders handbook.

followed your previous posts instructions to the letter, confidant i got them correct.

however still no change.

i got the exaust pipe off right now. i put my hand over the exaust port and i am noticing some sucking when rotating the kick lever. not sure if that is a sign my exaust valve is not seating?

It sounds like you may have a problem with the exhaust valve and/or seat...

When the piston is on the induction stroke (sucking in fuel) it can draw air back in through the exhaust side as well if the valve is not sealing correctly...

I would take the head off and remove the exhaust valve so that you can examine that and the valve seat....

If you don't already have one, it will also give you the chance to fit a solid copper head gasket...These are far more reliable than the 'composite' type used as standard and should be considered a 'must' if you plan to ride the bike much...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/john_patch1/SAM_0151_zpsa0d2387e.jpg

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/john_patch1/SAM_0149_zps0ebcb639.jpg

two images of my exhaust valve

here is a pic of the two head gaskets i have
the small one is fiber wraped in copper and the other is solid copper but is much bigger and sticks out past the cooling fins which is a bit odd

http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/john_patch1/SAM_0157_zpsea776dde.jpg

this next one is my piston,
was wondering if there is supposed to be another ring on the ver top?
http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y446/john_patch1/SAM_0153_zps87647445.jpg

email (option): demonpatch69@yahoo.com