Restoration of 1951 Vincent Rapide - Part 88 - Tappet Adjustment

[@georgeharrod7805]

Thank you for posting. As a recent returnee to the Vincent after some 30 years away this and other videos of yours are invaluable!

[@TheMightyGarage]

You're very welcome George! Glad the vids are helpful. Best wishes, Mike

[@donaldcook710]

Good show Mike, soon America will have more Vincent mechanics then Vincent MC.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, thanks Donald! Best wishes, Mike

[@stewy62]

Nice easy access, as if it was designed with ease of maintenance in mind! 🇬🇧🏍

[@roymichaeldeanable]

It was...but the metal technology wasn't as advanced as it is today...now its check every 16,000

[@iivaridark6850]

These machines are designed to be serviced... In my bike, one has to disassemble the cams while adjusting the valve lash. And not only the cams but half of the rest of the bike too... Thanks for the video!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks for sharing! Hope all is well. Best wishes, Mike

[@JRondeauYUL]

You’re doing it like you would be tuning a piano. Great job, Mike ! 👍

[@TheMightyGarage]

Ah ha! Thanks Jean-François. I sure hope it will sound a lot quieter and in more tune than before. Best wishes, Mike

[@zepelin-on-road]

Operation which needs good feeling with mechanical soul ! 👍🇫🇷

[@ThePianoCentre]

Thanks Mike 😀😀

[@larrys.3992]

Is it time for tea? Thanks Mike!

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉 I have been drinking so much tea recently, we have nearly burned out the kettle. Best wishes, Mike

[@bluesplayer59]

And no feeler gauge needed . Perfect !

[@guyfuller1369]

That was surprisingly simple. Knowing s.b.a. about that gorgeous engine, I expected major bloodletting. Thanks!

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Guy, yes is definitely a nice easy job to do. Cheers, Mike

[@metman3]

Easy access, easy adjustment without feeler gauges. I have to get a Vincent. Oh, wait a minute.. 😄 Nice, Mike! Wish I could adjust the valves on my bike like that !

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, thanks and all the best.

[@BluesHarpBiker]

Really awesome bike

[@TheDavey333]

Looked like nice and easy job👍, I noticed the lack of tea ☕️ 😏 Have a good one Mike, and stay safe.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks David 👍. I hope you are doing well. Cannot wait for the warmer, drier weather to arrive and test these fixes! Best wishes, Mike

[@georgemartin5481]

Interesting using nill clearances and not getting a burnt valve every once in a while. I have faith you know your machine Mike.

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

The push rods are orginally stainless steel, the cylinder muff and head are aluminum. When the engine warms up the clearance can only open up. No worries about burnt valves. The genius of the two Phils is truly amazing.

[@ninjafrogg5721]

Good job Mike! now go get yourself a drink, you deserve it after all that hard work. ;o)

[@TheMightyGarage]

😉 I'm working on it, right now! Cheers!

[@christidmas3995]

My old AJS was the same deal.For those unfamiliar pushrod ball end goes into a cup.No feeler gauge will fit.Basically zero clearance.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks a lot Chris. Best wishes, Mike

[@berniebne8243]

All the 1950s motorcycles I owned with cast iron barrels & heads had zero clearance valve adjustment. The 1960s aluminum head bikes had gaps measured with feeler gauges. Reading the comments I've learned something. Are the Stainless Steel pushrods heavier than the BSA/TRIUMPH ones which are made from aluminum I think?

[@tadpoles10]

Nice one Mike .. atvb t ..

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Terry. Hope you are doing well. Looking forward to some nicer weather! Cheers, Mike

[@frankm.lauritsen4129]

Like my 1957 Royal Enfield bullet, on my suzuki gsx 750 at least 5 hours + a jug of coffee and a few biscuits lol!

[@jimh.5286]

Just like the way I do it on my ironhead Harley Sportster, no stupid feeler gauge required.

[@hillarylevenworth8824]

How was the rocker bushing fit Mike?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Thanks Hillary. Great point. I went and checked them after reading your comment and they all seem solid. One had the slightest of movement but still very firm. I appreciate your advice. Cheers, Mike

[@wdhewson]

Interesting, no place to slide in a feeler gauge, so all by feel. And intake and exhaust "feel" are the same?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Yes, exactly! Thanks for your note. Best wishes, Mike

[@roymichaeldeanable]

That's handy dandy.....bikes these days its a bit more of a job and a half

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

✌️🖖🏼🏍👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Easier than trying to get feeler gauges in, isn't that the same adjustment as on Harley Davidsons?

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi Kevin, yes I believe so. My friend Ron has Harley's and mentioned the same. Best wishes, Mike

[@davidmacgregor5193]

That little five minute fix should quieten down your motor Mike, after watching that I need a cup of Taylor's of Harrogate 'Yorkshire Tea', you can't beat a proper brew.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Haha! So true. Thanks David. Best wishes, Mike

[@davidmacgregor5193]

@@TheMightyGarage Thanks Mike, I felt a lot better after having my cup of 'Yorkshire Tea' accompanied by oat biscuits. We've been in COVID-19 lockdown here in Calderdale since August 1st, your videos help me get through it, thank you.

[@allantottman189]

Enjoy all your videos, came to mind...isn't there any metal expansion that needs to be compensated for with a gap?

[@alysonnerker1231]

Allan. The intake should be able to spin without any up and down movement. The exhaust should be slightly easier to spin but still no up and down movement. The exhaust gets hotter, so yes, to your question. Alyson

[@sf940477]

Not much adjustment required Mike . You bored, looking for jobs to do 😆 🤣

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hehe, I'm finally getting to some of those jobs that I have been putting off for so long 😉 Best wishes, Mike