Knucklehead Harley Davidson valve adjust.

Adjusting the valves on a Harley Knucklehead, adjust the valves on any overhead valve Harley with solid lifters.

[@blades2255]

Thanks mike my dad just turned over his 58 panhead to me. It hasn't been run since 99. Im learning a lot from you Thank you

[@pacificmike9501]

That is awesome! Glad to be of service. That's a great old bike, built to enjoy.

[@bennyjones1597]

Wow I really didn't notice how many videos you have lots and lots to learn thank you my friend till next time we'll see you out on the road

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank you. I'll look forward to that.

[@dogchop]

Thanks for this Mike, love the channel. Cheers from across the pond in Wales UK 😊👍🏻

[@pacificmike9501]

Thank You. And, Greetings to you.

[@allkarallkarson8380]

Thanks from Germany

[@pacificmike9501]

Thanks for watching!

[@joesurfer9754]

You adjust your solid lifters the exact same way (same feel) my dad taught me to on my 1973 stroked out sportster drag bike I had when I was a teenager. It had an Andrews V9 cam though.

[@pacificmike9501]

Cool.

[@hide7436]

Thank you sir!

[@pacificmike9501]

You are welcome!

[@hide7436]

Hi Mike, Howell, Bob, Fred, thank you for all the awesome videos, getting my bible! I'm about to replace broken cork seals of the pushrod on my 48y Pan, is this Knucklehead valve adjust procedure same on 48y Pan? Do you recommend to lubricate on any part of pushrod/covers post clean them out? what lubricant you recommend pls? Thank you very much!

[@pacificmike9501]

Valve adjustment on a Panhead with solid lifters is the same as on the Knucklehead. I put the pushrod seals in dry. Anywhere the pushrods touch the lifters or rocker arms, get them wet with the motor oil you're using. Don't adjust the valves too tight. You should be able to turn the pushrods with your fingers when you've adjusted them with the lifter at the bottom of its stroke.

[@truethought369]

Mike, this is great. The A.J.S / Matchless bikes have the same setup, no up or down movement but has to turn in the cups like yours, but the lock nuts were solid ones. Why do the Harley lock nuts have split sides on them?

[@pacificmike9501]

So they spread to create tension, so they don't back off.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

On average, how often does this need to be done? Say, if the bike is ridden pretty often, perhaps a few times a week? I don't know if I'll ever utilize the info in these vids, but I really enjoy watching them. They are interesting, and I like your clear and concise style of communication.

[@pacificmike9501]

Riding your bike will tell you. You ride for a couple weeks, see if everything stays put. Ride it some more. Then check it. Then you find out, that stuff is either staying or moving. You get to know your own machine and make your own rules. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

Interesting. Thank you for the reply.

[@joesurfer9754]

I had to check mine just about every time before I rode my stroker moter 73 sportster with a andrews V9 cam when I was young. About once a day or two. You get good at it.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

@@joesurfer9754 Dang! I guess you would at that rate. I wouldn’t mind having to tinker on an old bike, but that’s a little much. That said, nothing gets you closer to your bike than getting to know it like that.

[@creativespridgets]

After a year of refurbishing and restoring my '51 Pan-Shovel (with solid lifters), I just followed this procedure and adjusted the valves. Tomorrow morning, I'm heading to the gas station, and we'll see what's what. Your videos have been very helpful, and made the process more fun--almost as if I had an experienced buddy keeping me company. Question: stock pistons on this bike. Premium or regular? I was guessing it'd be premium but would appreciate your input.

[@pacificmike9501]

I always run good premium in my bikes. That means the real clean stuff. I do have a Chevron station nearby.

[@creativespridgets]

@@pacificmike9501 - thank you, Sir. Will do.

[@jeffreyengle2762]

Hey, off topic, but curious... if you bought a new Road King today with the M8 engine, what oil would you use in the 3 holes, primary trans and engine?? Thanks

[@pacificmike9501]

Can't recommend name brands and actually don't have experience on the new ones yet. But, congrats on buying one.

[@Fishsticks187]

It's very impressive to me as a DIY mechanic that you can adjust valves without using a feeler gauge. Are the tolerances that loose on these motors?

[@pacificmike9501]

There is a ball and socket. Tighten them so you can still rotate the pushrods by hand. With a little practice, you'll get it.

[@237cooter]

Hi Mike, thanks for another great video. I'm looking forward to your Linkert carb adjustment video. Would you recommend the same valve adjustment procedure for my 41 ULH? Thanks again.

[@pacificmike9501]

No. Adjust the Flathead by the book. Clearances for exhaust and intake are there. There must be specified clearance between the lifter and the valve stem when the lifter is on the heel of the cam and the valve being adjusted is closed.

[@237cooter]

Thanks for the prompt reply. Will do

[@BuzzJones]

Hey Mike I am not sure if I have Hyd or Solids Lifters in my Panhead, I put an A-Grind Cam in and got the lifters and valves at the same time but was years ago.? My pushrods look exactly like these here, I seen you other Video on Shovel Hyd Lifters Adjustments from 2018 and seems the adjustments are almost the same, besides letting the Hyd sit after adjustments to relieve the oil in the lifters, I assume slight pressure release. I'm not sure if the Panhead always had lifter ticking you could here while running, is that normal on those or could I be adjusting the wrong way ??

[@pacificmike9501]

You can look at the lifters by opening up the pushrod tubes. Solid lifters do make a little more noise, especially after warmup.

[@sidneytopf]

Great video but I am not sure what I should be looking for when you show the light coming on and off. Can you show a close up or explain?? Thanks!

[@pacificmike9501]

The light is controlled by the points just starting to open. That's where you want it. JUST BARELY OPENING. It will then stay on. Not there, just starting to open. That's it. Good luck. You'll get it.

[@sidneytopf]

Thanks! I will give it a try! First the clutch cleaning!

[@hddm3]

Hi mike. What lift do you have or recommend? Thank you

[@pacificmike9501]

The lifts I have are K&L's.

[@llewvirtue861]

Mike do you allow more clearance for the exhaust valve, due to heat. Maybe not critical on these

[@pacificmike9501]

It's a feel thing that comes from practice.

[@thematteblack6606]

mike i just bought my first bike, it's a 1974 sportster xlh 1000, right hand shift stock electric start. what is the best way to set up the intake manifold on this bike? love your channel and enjoy all your videos

[@pacificmike9501]

Same as a Shovelhead. We do show this. You find it in our videos. Don't forget a support bracket.

[@thematteblack6606]

@@pacificmike9501 thanks so much! i just got my support bracket in today

[@edpazikas8777]

Hi Mike, is the same adjustment I should do in the WLC models? Thank you!

[@pacificmike9501]

Flatheads are a little different. Make your valve adjustments according to the manual. There is a specified clearance between the valve stems and the lifters.

[@dwightjemtrud8072]

Mike, you still work'n. On that ol jaloppy, lol

[@pacificmike9501]

Gotta have a hobby.

[@antoniofuentes2657]

Hey mike! You don’t specify if you have solids or hydraulic pushrods. I’m trying to figure out which I have in my 56’ and don’t know how to differentiate. Do you mind explaining to me?

[@pacificmike9501]

Knuckleheads are all solids.

[@pacificmike9501]

Wait, I hit the wrong button. Now; hydraulic pushrods were made from 48-52, Panheads only. Your 56 came with hydraulic lifters. They may or may not still be there. A lot of people changed them to solids. You could look through our motor videos to see them or look in your service manual. You can easily identify them visually.

[@joesurfer9754]

Better off with hydraulic in my experience. Just set them and forget them pretty much. Solids were just a better option for higher RPM racing back in the day but a ton more maintenance.

[@joesurfer9754]

Important note is it's better to be too loose than too tight.

[@pacificmike9501]

You bet.

[@phillipthompson6809]

I have a EVO motor and I've been told that the camp is too tight and needs to be adjusted not sure how to do that can you help me with that the bike is whining

[@pacificmike9501]

I think you are speaking of the camshaft. You say it is whining and someone has diagnosed it as a "gear" whine. If this is, in fact, the case, then it must be adressed in the proper manner. We do show how to install cams in our videos. However, you'll need to look at the appropriate HD service manual (year specific) to understand how this problem is corrected. The measurement of the cam gear and the measurement of the pinion gear must be correct in order to mesh together properly. This is normally handled by a qualified mechanic, not just a "quickie" answer in our comment section. I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not sure your problem has been diagnosed yet, and you'll require some special tools and skill to correct it, if that is the problem.

[@susanoarchuleta36]

Where did you get those wrenches ?

[@pacificmike9501]

Snap-On Tappet wrenches.

[@mikevoll8822]

If I had any tools and a bike I could probably do that! Give me something tougher next time!

[@pacificmike9501]

Like, maybe, fix a tire? Tuna fish?

[@mikevoll8822]

My mom took my Harley because I am behind in my rent. I keep telling her that there's not many jobs for a Seventy year old man!@@pacificmike9501

[@shanedoyle1057]

I’m dreading to think when the time will be when the phrase on your T-shirt will no longer be true. 😉

[@pacificmike9501]

Yes.