Part 2 - Quick Valve Check & Adjust on a Royal Enfield Classic 350 Reborn / Meteor / Hunter

Don't check your valves like this! Doing a quick job to check and adjust the valves without even removing the tank. Thanks for watching and please subscribe if you'd like to see it through to the end! This is a project to repair and rebuild a Royal Enfield Classic 350 from a 2022 model Stolen & Recovered machine, part of a full series of episodes.
Please also see my Meteor Build Series:
• Royal Enfield Meteor 3...
#classic350 #royalenfieldbikes #bobber #bullet #meteor350 #hunter350

[@stevehoward1679]

Engine noise: If you haven't already done it, check the exhaust stud nuts, they have been known to be loose on the J series bikes and the noise made sounds very similar to valve noise. On checking their bikes, a surprising number of Meteor & Classic 350 owners found the same. Hope this helps! 🙂(Royal Enfield Meteor 350 UK Owners... Look up Kurt Kurzweil check your nuts for full details.)

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much Steve, I'll give that a try before it comes apart!

[@stevehoward1679]

Also on engine noises, Meteor 350 UK Owners, look up Kevin Byford-Abbott from 21st September 2022 & look at response from Kev Gunn, useful info to know. Cheers. 🙂 @@GlynOC

[@GlynOC]

Brill, thanks Steve. I'll go and look for that

[@Lee-70ish]

Good advice. Found that when I changed my silencer for a Punjab model

[@harry-cee]

@@stevehoward1679 Where might I find info on this? I've been unable to locate a channel for Kevin Byford-Abbott. Thanks!

[@user-mu5xy9nr8d]

This might help I use a screwdriver one end on the place you want to check the rattling & other to the ear, works well Glyn, big end noise is quite loud & well done on the valves

[@GlynOC]

Thanks, I'll try that next time👍

[@direktorpresident]

Bottom end should be great, I was very careful running it in, and after two mineral oil changes I switched to full ester synthetic. I don't know what the tealeaves did though

[@GlynOC]

That's brilliant to hear, thank you! It's definitely your bike for sure and I don't think they did any damage, apart from the obvious (and to themselves hopefully)

[@longjonwhite]

I’m just catching up with this series, but I saw your comments in the first vid. Must be cool to watch Glyn resurrecting your old girl!

[@direktorpresident]

@@longjonwhite Certainly is Jon! Although I don't want to interrupt or intrude, as this is Glyn's baby now! He is doing a marvellous job

[@JohnSmith-xw5qe]

Loving the project Glyn so so interesting looking forward to trying out the Hunter Tank!

[@GlynOC]

That's great, tank being tried today so video for that tonight or tomorrow 👍

[@ruso9660]

Good job B...Glyn ,-) I was seriously unhappy when the dealers I bought my RE Classic 350 Reborn from, said that checking the tappets at the first 500 km service wasn't necessary! RE Customer service very quickly replied to my email questioning this, saying that it absolutely has to be done. But, no phone call from the dealers to apologise and book a 1st service part B. So I did this myself. The tank is for me, a real pig to remove, and I managed to trap the throttle cable when replacing it. As the engine was still tappety on completion, I redid them the following weekend, taped over the abraded cable sleeve, and managed a better job. At 2.000 km now I've changed oil/filter and may recheck the tappets. A very experienced UK mechanic mentioned that it's a good idea to have the oil level at the full mark, rather than between the high and low mark, as the lifters are only splash lubricated. Does seem to make the engine quieter. A far more experienced engineer friend pointed out the importance of not rotating back if you pass TDC which you I'm sure will know (but I didn't), slackens the cam chain and alters the gaps.

[@GlynOC]

I think some dealers don't actually like motorcycles 👹 Good tip about the cam chain and I'll be double checking the clearance when I take the cover off later so we'll see how that travesty worked out. Thanks for watching, Glyn

[@timsatchell6713]

Excellent. Shows you could really maintain a J by the side of the road. The tappet tick definitely went away. PS. Get yourself an inspection mirror, from a retired aircraft tech.

[@GlynOC]

ooh a new thing, I'm going to look for one of them, that would have been very handy. Thanks Tim 👍

[@davidrawlings3460]

That was so painful to watch, would have been quicker to remove the tank lol but I was cringing watching but couldn't stop. The front pipe nuts that bolt to the head are renowned to come loose and make a ticking sound and it gets quieter the hotter the bike gets.

[@GlynOC]

haha it was a one time luxury whilst I couldn't make things any worse, I would not recommend again! I'm going to check those bolts next time before I start taking it apart, cheers David 👍

[@wolfgangnapiletzki8480]

Fully agree. I don't understand where the problem is to remove the tank. In the beginning of the video you could see, that the exhaust isn't correctly fixed. Noise, coming from the top of the cylinder, might not only be a to big gap of the tappet. You should check the whole valve drive. For me as a bike mechanic it is not professionally to work like this.

[@borderlands6606]

Always tempting to do a bit of keyhole surgery. The downside is getting the rocker cover gasket back in the right place. It's tricky enough with the tank off and blobs of silicone sealant.

[@GlynOC]

I think it helped that I did it properly on the Meteor recently so knew exactly what was going on with the seal mounting and all the strange angles, it might feel a bit of a mess under there otherwise. Thanks for watching, Glyn

[@weemark67]

Great 2nd video Glyn. Congratulations on passing 1k subs, throughly deserved. Access a bit tight, but you nailed it. Hunter/Meteor tank……should be interesting. Think it was Exeter Rider mentioned the Hunter shocks, were an upgrade on the Meteor, parts interchangeable funky. Regards Mark.😊

[@GlynOC]

Thanks Mark, hope you're well. It would only have taken another minute to unclip the tank but where's the fun in that? The cover can't come off unless the coil and gubbins comes off though so nevermind 😊 Got to come off for next vid anyway though! Duh 🤪

[@matt904sl]

Hi Glyn great video I have had a classic 350 from new 2022 and have done 3500 miles and did my tappets last month due to me thinking they were noisy???. But after I adjusted them it made literally no difference to the tappet like noise what so ever so I wouldn't be to concerned. Side note I've been a mechanic for 31 years so hopefully know what I'm doing 😂😂😂😂

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much 👍 I'll double check them when I take it all to bits just in case and it can have a nice fresh seal too. Thanks for watching 👍

[@user-ug1ek9pe2b]

bravo

[@GlynOC]

Thank you!

[@user-wq4um2hf5e]

I always remember take your time Glenn don’t be in a rush and you’ll be OK. Congratulations on the viol settings and you have a good day bye-bye.

[@GlynOC]

I will, don't want to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory now💪

[@willywindsor5803]

Brilliant video Glyn. I’de wondered about tapped adjustment without removing the tank! Might give it a go in the spring. I have a stellar blue meteor and I love it, however I’m thinking the colour need’s something to “lift it”. I was thinking maybe white pinstripe or silver….🤷‍♂️. What do you reckon.

[@GlynOC]

Thanks very much for watching. Have a look at the 'Fast Johnnie' Special Editions by Harley, they're a similar blue with white stripes and they look fantastic, that's a great idea 👍

[@user-hv4cs1ou6l]

Nice video (y) , I'm wondering can we fit the rubber gaiters on the classic 350 (like on the meteor?)

[@GlynOC]

I'm sure you could once the metal shrouds are removed and that might look really good 👍

[@user-hv4cs1ou6l]

@@GlynOC thank you, i'll give it a try 🫡🫡🫡

[@paulcooper5610]

maybe just undo the tank bolts and lift it up a couple of inches just to give you space to work.

[@GlynOC]

Every little bit would help 👍

[@nikoscosmos]

You know that valve clearances tend to decrease with use... I bet with new oil the engine will sound sweeter! I'm now rushing down to L**L to check out the low profile tools. TTFN

[@GlynOC]

I hope so, the oil in it is really horrible, new oil must surely help with that! Christmas is coming and always hoping for tools not jumpers!

[@reuel7544]

Taking a long time to reach a settled idle 😢.

[@GlynOC]

The poor thing def needs a good service, proper fuel and the exhaust leak fixing, I'm hopeful it'll be much happier then 👍

[@gordonhughes8299]

be careful lifting tank if the fuel pump is the same as one on gt535 the pipe on bottom of pump will snap off if still connected to injector pipe also fuel cools pump so not good running with low fuel

[@GlynOC]

Good advice, thanks Gordon 👍

[@williamharris4426]

that`s the fuel injector noise

[@GlynOC]

aha, could be couldn't it?

[@Tonyv1951]

I'm not sure that clicking on a stone cold engine is a guide to how it will be when it is in its normal warmed up state. Obviously, the clearances will reduce when all the valve gear expands at its operating temperature. An interesting experiment though in doing the job with the tank on. Not sure that that gasket is properly snug. Time will tell when hopefully, there are no oil leaks.

[@GlynOC]

I'll check them properly when it's more in bits, maybe the paint on the Meteor engine makes it quieter!

[@vlogplusuk20]

I am nathimg feel 🤔

[@GlynOC]

Don't worry, it's just for fun 👍

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

The valves on the bike should be hydraulic valve adjustment and a belt drive would be nice too.

[@GlynOC]

That would be fancy, I like seeing all that steam engine style stuff though 😊

[@corradolepori6128]

Praticamente come mister Bin che è riuscito a togliersi le mutande lasciando i pantaloni. Certo ci vuole tempo ma tutto è possibile

[@GlynOC]

grazie, mi è sembrato un po' così!

[@B0M0A0K]

Great fun video. Sat here with a glass of Rum and I can tell that I probably have had enough, cause try as I might, none of this was in focus. Oh! and PLEASE stop advertising new tools. That last time you did this I ended up with a great new mini grinder. Glyn, behave yourself!

[@GlynOC]

haha it's not all you, don't worry. I was trying a new camera and the focus is not good. I was rushing so much I didn't notice, will watch out next time 👍 Always got to look out for new tools 😊

[@B0M0A0K]

@@GlynOC Yes indeed! New tools ... and RUM!

[@markwood9755]

So in my case the penny has just dropped ! After a while of Meteor ownership I noticed a significant scratch on the top frame, I was surprised I had not noticed this earlier or indeed at the dealer when purchased new as I had given it thorough inspection. I am now convinced this probably appeared after the first service and I think your comments about this being a dealer method are not too far from the truth.

[@GlynOC]

ahhh that could well be it. Maybe they just hedge their bets and hope that if it doesn't even need adjustment, or is 'near enough', they can just rest the cover back down and do a quick job@@markwood9755

[@markwood9755]

@@GlynOC Alas I think you are getting close to the truth again. I have come to the conclusion I will do all my own work in the future. Great content looking forward to this project 😀

[@BlueRidgeRider]

This looks like as much fun as removing your underwear while not removing your trousers. Sure it CAN be done, but why?😮

[@GlynOC]

I guess if they were in spec it would be quite a quick and speedy way, bit of a gamble. Wouldn't surprise me if dealers weren't doing it like that for the first service

[@KUDGHAT1]

So ?

[@GlynOC]

It is what it is as we say

[@KUDGHAT1]

@@GlynOC next ?

[@GlynOC]

I'm going to take the tank off next time and try a Meteor and Hunter tank to see how they work out, maybe the Meteor handlebars that I've got laying around from my Meteor project. Just to see if anything looks better before I start taking it apart 🙏