Royal Enfield Himalayan Valve check

[@Dave-in-France]

Hi there, Dave-in-France here, again ! I reckon that for me, this is the definitive RE Himmie valve check video so I'm going to scrap all the others I saved. Not only do you dedicate sufficient time to explain which way is best to turn the crankshaft, but there were a number of little but important hints and tips to include when doing this job; such as lifting the FRONT of the tank to access the LHS pipes. You have inspired me to do the valves on my 2022 Himmie now as she has 10+ kms on the clock. Thank you very much for helping me. Dave

[@iantoy7778]

Pleased you thought it was useful to you. Thanks for watching

[@peterkoch2759]

Hey man, well done and right told!! In germany we say "lange Rede ,kurzer Sinn" (Long Story, short content). Well, I turn the engine with the rear-wheel in drive - direction.. it's the best way to find the mark in the hole, mostly I find the mark at once: I have a look to the wakling valves and I see the moment, when both are closed. I have a look into the spark- plug - hole and I see the piston in the highest position... that is the right point and when I look to the flywheel - mark, - oh wonder, it's correctly!! So the plate behind the Engine-cover-bars can stay in place. I think, when you let the engine run with 0,2 mm on the outlet- valve, it works well. if it's my bike i would have a look every 5.000 km to this point and have a control... I think,it will be good for 20.000 km or so. thanks for making this good viedeo, it's coplete mymind... Stay healthy, Peter

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks

[@davegraham3558]

Cheers for taking the time. Your argument for the anticlockwise v clockwise debate, makes sense and is by far the best description and reasoning. I do mine anticlockwise.

[@misAdventuresonGenie-uw8bu]

I've got the seat and the tank off because I just bought a new battery and am fitting some heated gloves so I thought whilst we're here let's check the tappets. And I remembered seeing your video a short while ago about CW/CCW, so here I am watching a bloke who's clearly done it more often than me and whose advice I'm going to take. CCW it is, simply because that's the direction I have ALWAYS done it since my first go at valve clearances back in the early 80s, you always turn the crank in the direction of travel. It 's nice to have somebody explain it correctly. Your camchain tensioner reasoning inter alia makes absolutely perfect sense. Thanks !! Also, I agree that 0.23mm is frikkin massive, you could get a bus in there. You talk a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I am looking forward to getting my TEC cam soon. Shame about the chocolate valves but, hey, it is what it is. I suspect Hitchcock's will be getting a fair bit of my hard-earned Euros sooner rather than later. But I'm loving not only my Himalayan, but also the superb worldwide Himalayan community and people like yourself who stop me making an absolute twat of myself 😂🤣😂🤣😂.

[@iantoy7778]

Pleased to have helped you. Good luck with the jobs on the bike.

[@shilohsamgary]

I also have worked on motorcycles for years and I agree with you completely and have been using the counter clockwise rotation with adjusting the tappets. Interesting to note Royal Enfield has some KZbin videos on doing your own servicing and there they actually state to turn it in a counter clockwise direction which is a contradiction to what they have there Manuel.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching

[@stevesmith3216]

I have done it your way for years as I was taught. I agree with the comments on the thread on the nut. Well done.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks. Hope you enjoyed the video

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching

[@stevec-b6214]

My comment is exactly the same as Dave below, just put this in to help the algorithm or whatever. I particularly like the rubber tube adjuster trick. I am now fully confident my TEC cam and Hitchcock (proper metal) valve installation will work as yours has. Many many thanks for your patience!

[@iantoy7778]

Sounds like we have the same engine set up,makes a different bike out of it.

[@Robert-uy1gd]

No opinion on clock- or anti clockwise. I take out the plug, put the bike in fifth gear and move the rear wheel in the direction of drive.

[@k1ckyscotland988]

Kinda difficult on the Himalayan unless you have help. Hard to see the marks on the crank when you're turning the back wheel.

[@esrider7765]

Thanks for this, I just purchased a new Himalayan last week. Still running in. I received the adjuster tool today and will do check once I have done a few more miles.

[@iantoy7778]

Hope you enjoyed the video

[@e30tutorials]

Interesting thoughts about this chain tensioner. This explains why some have problems with noisy tensioners . I had this problem at 7500km. Extrem loud noise. It’s not a single case. Some people had this already with overjumped chains and damage at the engine. 👍

[@iantoy7778]

Yes the cam chain tensioner is very weak. Pleased you found the video interesting

[@ScooterintheSticks]

Good stuff here. Thanks for the clarity of instruction and information. I did my 300 mile valve adjustment turning the engine clockwise. Next time I'll do it clockwise!

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching. Hope you enjoyed the video

[@MrRabbitthumper]

For a complete newbie who bought this motorcycle to learn a little bit more about mechanics and doing the servicing myself, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE the time and effort that you have made to CLEARLY explain WHY YOU THINK that the rotation should be anti-clockwise, especially when there are so many 'opinions' expressed in posts. For me your logic wins out. Thank ypu again👍👍👍

[@iantoy7778]

Happy to help anytime. Just ask if you want to know anything

[@berryslokker8949]

Thanks for this. You explained everything perfectly. I do understand now wich way i should turn. Greetings from Holland

[@ianseddon9347]

Execellent video, I’m about to do this job ( I’ve worked on engines for nearly 60 years) and I always rate your mechanical work highest, now I understand the clock wise / anticlockwise issue I’m happy to do the job your way. Thanks Ian

[@iantoy7778]

Glad to help

[@rock6374]

Great video, subscribed! I particularly love the way you explain things fully, which is great for someone like me with less experience.

[@iantoy7778]

Welcome aboard!

[@tpv59]

WOW ! YOU are AWESOME ! PERFECT. 10/10. I LEARNT a LOT. THANK YOU sir. ALL the VERY BEST.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for your comments.

[@rockclima]

Nice demonstrational video , I do agree RE are a little on the minus side of quality but it works and works well,since the 80s I've been working on different bikes , Bsa , Tri, Norton , Honda ,Kawasaki , Ural , MZ ,BMW ,Ural brill once mods are done.Modern oils play a big part in today's engines lasting longer be interesting to know if one was run on straight oil vs modern engineering , love your tappet tool tube . Great Video.

[@iantoy7778]

Tappet tool, sometimes the simplest things work the best. In this day and age it's nice to be able to work on a bike with tools and not just a computer. If you enjoyed the video subscribe, it's free help to get the channel off the ground

[@duncanmclean6416]

Honestly brilliant video very well explained. Made sense even to me

[@iantoy7778]

Glad you liked it!

[@Silbernagel100]

All common sense what you said there. Thanks for sharing your valuable experiences and this very practical approach in resolving those problems. Karl from Tasmania

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching.

[@chrissteer9215]

Thank you for the advice very handy when I check mine 👍

[@frederickwoods5943]

I've been working on motorcycles since the mid-1960's and we never turned any engine opposite the normal running direction that has a cam-chain tensioner.

[@iantoy7778]

This engine runs counterclockwise that's why I think it should be turned counterclockwise. If the engine runs clockwise then it should be turned clockwise.

[@frederickwoods5943]

@@iantoy7778 I thought about that after I commented. All the bikes I have owned turned counter-clockwise viewed from the left side. I should have said, never opposite to normal direction of crankshaft/cam rotation. Thanks.

[@markanetley7142]

Spot on with your comments about which way you turn the crankshaft , why R/E say to turn clockwise I don't know because someone in the engine design side of things even put an arrow on the flywheel in the anticlockwise direction

[@iantoy7778]

Yes I noticed that as well. Hope you liked the video. Thanks for watching

[@gregory8282]

Very well explained. Thanks.

[@iantoy7778]

You are welcome!

[@thegreenman2030]

You’re the 2nd KZbinr that said it should be turned anti clockwise. Nick from Nick & Jodie's Episodes did a video on his Scram 411 a few months back and says the manual is wrong it needs to go anti clockwise like all other engines and it could cause issues going backwards. He’s also a professional mechanic. As a small engine mechanic everything you’re saying makes perfect sense. RE really needs to adjust their info in their Manuel and use a left handed threaded nut witch would cost nothing to change over to.

[@iantoy7778]

RE only need a bit more thought on how they built it and it would be a cracking bike

[@MrBoehol]

You do not have to be worried about the camchain tensioner .It will be fixed right and straight in the plastic chain guide when it is attacked on the cylinder. And the spring is hard enought to do the job. I have manual tensioner on my bikes and the force on the camchain is just fingertight. no more. If it is harder force the chain can brake of when it is hot.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks. Hope you enjoyed the video

[@rhysjones6069]

Excellent, much appreciated.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching. Good to know it helped

[@roviwoteap2375]

You’re right! Sweet sounding engine there.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@iantoy7778]

It sure is!

[@nisbeam]

That explains the frightening grinding when I turned the engine clockwise, it was trying to engage the starter - phew. I will know which direction to turn next time, that all made perfect sense, thank you.. But I wonder would it actually be advisable to reduce the standard exhaust to 0,020 as well

[@iantoy7778]

Royal Enfield have actually revised their figures now to 0.018

[@nisbeam]

@@iantoy7778 Wow !! I will readjust mine then as the exhaust is rattling like hell and it must be doing damage left like that. I have only done 1250 miles and gap is set to 0.023 but it s sounds really awful

[@Gerodunord]

Hello Ian, thanks to your judicious step-by-step explanations for adjusting the valves, I will be able to adjust them without fear 🙂! A big thank you for this video that I will share with great pleasure ! Roger.

[@iantoy7778]

@@Gerodunord thanks if you need to know anything just ask no problem

[@markanetley7142]

Will be following your example ref new valves etc and checking end float on the oil pump

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching.I'm pleased you found it helpful.

[@Max-rr4uq]

Well done, nice work. Max

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks , hope you subscribe it's free.

[@davidrawlings3460]

I totally agree with you that it's anti clock wise. BUT did Royal Enfield think its clock wise because they are looking at it from the right hand side of the bike?

[@iantoy7778]

You could be right there lol

[@davidrawlings3460]

@iantoy7778 it always has been in the back of my mind because if you stand on the right hand side where the clutch is, it actually runs clock wise. But if you on the left using the crack pully to turn the engine over its anti clock wise. I am an interceptor owner (well have a classic too) BUT the interceptor owners on KZbin got themselves in a right pickle about 3 years ago. BUT RE got back to them and said it actually is anticlockwise.

[@danigueites5009]

Your logic is correct and as a rule, the motors rotate against the clock in the direction of traction. However, Himalayan's LS 411 engine is Counter Rotatory, rotating in the opposite direction of traction, therefore clockwise. The service manual is correct.

[@paulstoker7650]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Can I ask if you bought the stage two cam or the re profiled oem cam. I'm seriously thinking about this modification myself. Secondly, would you recommend setting the exhaust valve gap to 0.20 on an engine with the standard valves and cam. Just ignore any trolls, they haven't got a clue, you on the other hand, obviously do. You're creating accurate informative videos that will help a lot of people.

[@iantoy7778]

The Tec cam is a completely new cam not reprofiled cam. It makes a world of difference. Well worth the money.

[@MrRabbitthumper]

Hello Ian, I will be doing the valve clearance check tomorrow. I removed the tank but did not note the order of the overflow and breather tubes. Am I correct in assuming that there IS NO ORDER (each can be inserted on either side when replacing the tank) or is there a left and a right?

[@iantoy7778]

If you check the pipes you will find one of the pipes is slightly bigger than the other. It doesn't really matter but I think you will find the larger of the two pipes will only go one side anyway.

[@MrRabbitthumper]

@iantoy7778 thanks for the advice. Have a great weekend!

[@angusrodger6407]

Take a plug out put in gear and turn back wheel , l do it that way on my V85 tt .

[@nunnyd69]

Great informative video. I’m a new subscriber. If i can ask a question? I’ve always installed an in line fuel filter on my other bikes but they’ve not been fuel injected. Mainly single cylinder 2 stroke engines. In your opinion is an in line fuel filter suitable or necessary for the Himalayan where fuel quality could be an issue? Thanks in advance

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching. Happy to answer any questions. The Himalayan has a fuel filter in the tank. You need to remove the fuel pump to find it.

[@daveo226]

Great video and agree 💯%👍

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks

[@andreasbrandstetter9221]

and if you think you maybe have loosend the bolt you can still tork it back down after adjusting the tappets. Just put it in gear hold the rear wheel and tight the bolt ....

[@mickyboy4964]

Hi There , Another good interesting video thanks for that , can I ask where the torque value for the tappets came from please because I couldn't find this anywhere . I agree with your concerns with overloading of the cam chain adjuster and sprag clutch, I will watch with interest cheers mick.

[@iantoy7778]

I was in Royal Enfield in Bulgaria and ask there mechanic in there service department. He said all 6 mm threaded bolts/Nuts ( 10mm spanner size) are 12 Nm

[@makuru3395]

Hello from Bavaria, I have a question!? How did you attach the ammunition box to the luggage rack?

[@iantoy7778]

Hello, If you have a look at my list of videos you will find one about my luggage. I explain in that how I fixed the ammunition box to my bike.

[@makuru3395]

I also have the TEC camshaft, your tip for adjusting it is great. Thanks so much

[@yellownev]

Like others and yourself I turn it counter clockwise. I have wondered also two things - as the cam chain stretches and before the spring pushes the foot adjuster onto the next indent does the cam chain add to 'the noise'? Also as the miles rack up is there a service tolerance on the spring wear ? Great tip with the rubber tube - I was advised to put a crease in the feeler gauge so the gap was true on the basis if the gauge goes into the gap at an angle it will possibly give a slightly larger gap if bend it slides in square- if that makes sense? Thanks again for the very good video and the tips - including the 12nm for the locknuts - i could not find that spec .

[@iantoy7778]

The cam chain can cause some of the noise. Also look on my oil pump video. That is a lot of noise.

[@karlos3611]

Hi Ian....I keep watching your videos over and over so to digest and learn as much as i can because i want to undertake any work needs doing myself. The bike is only 7 months old and 8500 miles and just started to get noisy compared to what it was....There is a klonking sound if the engine is under any stress or laboured and i can hear valve rattle and sometimes a ticking noise from the oil pump chain area and yes all the areas you have covered in your videos so i am going to order the Tec Cam the Hitchcock valves and see if the oil pump sprocket needs a shim. Because of the mileage its had 3 main dealer services already at £200 a time and would be coming up for the fourth at 9000m, what's the point of buying a cheap bike at a bargain price to then give that same price straight back to them in service cost what a false economy... when i mention any issues to the dealership they never attempt to sort any out but tell me that's how these bikes are and all they do is the general oil and filter change and a possible valve check but who knows on that one? So all though i have over 2 years warranty left ive decided not to take it to them anymore im going to sort it all myself and i wouldn't attempt this without your videos. the 2 breather pipes under the petrol tank why does one of them have a steel spring clip on and one doesn't? When mine came from the dealership after the last service i noticed one of those rubber cable ties was sitting on the engine underneath the rectifier so i looked under the tank with a torch to see if any wires were loose or hanging down and i noticed that the pipe with the clip on was hanging loose not connected to the tank and the steel clip was missing?? So i took the tank off and re connected it i found it a tight squeeze as tho it wasn't long enough but i managed to get it on just wondered why that one was clipped and not the other? Sorry this took so long to ask a simple question just wanted to give you a dealership story and the kind of issues we are sometimes faced with. These are great videos nothing else comes close

[@iantoy7778]

One of the pipes is a breather for the tank. The other is the overflow so that if you fill the tank right to the brim the excess fuel will run down the pipe. These pipes actually run into the evac cannister (charcoal cannister) that is just in front of the swing arm behind the engine. This is to do with the new Euro 4, 5, 6 laws. If you have a look on one of my videos I have actually taken the cannister out. My breather and overflow pipes run down behind the engine and swing arm and would drip on the floor if it overflowed. All bikes used to do this from the last 60-70 years. I don't have any clips on mine. One doesn't have a clip anyway. The other one I took the clip off because it is a pain to get the clip on and off when you need to remove the tank. I just snip the ends of the pipe off because they get a bit swollen so that they are a nice tight fit. These pipes must be fitted because if the tank overflows as in a fall or overflow the petrol would drip onto the engine and potentially ignite.

[@iantoy7778]

A good thing to think about is buying your parts,filters ect from India. I buy my filters 10 at a time from India at least half price same as spare parts ect. Try not to use Hitchcocks if you can the prices are at least double for everything and they get it from India anyway. Buy your cam from TEC cheaper than Hitchcock. That's where mine came from. I have just bought a new seat for my interceptor from India the exact same as Hitchcock s sell £50.00 cheaper with a lot less postage as well. So by shopping around you can save a lot of money. Hitchcock's are good and convenient but it's like going g to abig supermarket it's not always the cheapest thing to do.

[@iantoy7778]

@@karlos3611 in the UK is a service at a main dealer £200.00 what do you get done for that, is that just oil and filter or valve check and adjust ect ?

[@karlos3611]

@@iantoy7778 Hi Ian thank you for all 3 replies and so much detail considering how many comment and questions you get. Ive had a full days ride today so first chance to reply. Yes i know Hitchcocks are expensive ive spent quite a bit with them in the past plus they always add the vat afterwards so the prices are much higher than first thought. Ive used Tec many times with Triumphs so will go to them for the cam. I take it Hitchcocks are the only source for the high quality valves the rest i will take your advice and get from India. Re the servicing 600m service was £185 3000m service was £185 6000m service was £205 so yes near enough £200 a go? It didn't mention Valve check on the second one and was only mentioned on the 6000 because i asked for it so who knows? Re the pipes yes i though it was for the evac just wanted you to confirm and i feel better now knowing without a clip is fine i will re route it on next strip down. Even with a valve check or adjustment its not a bad markup for an hours labour and a few cheap service parts is it mate🤔

[@k1ckyscotland988]

I've done the valve clearances three times on mine now,always turned the engine in direction of travel. Never even suspected that the crank nut had loosened,it is way too tight. If you were concerned,when finished,torque the nut back to 80nm,bike in gear back brake on. The spring in the camchain tensioner I think they stole from a Parker pen.

[@iantoy7778]

Hope you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching

[@adolfgerhardhermann5952]

The clearance on your inlet valve in now set under 0,08 mm, since you are turning both parts without holding the inner part during fastening.

[@iantoy7778]

Yes but don't you recheck after tightening and adjust if necessary, because I do.

[@esrider7765]

Also want to add re turning engine over, dont use the nut, With plug out and bike in high gear rotate the wheel

[@jacksjaunts8580]

I am not sure why it’s a discussion point. Any mechanic will tell you to turn the engine anticlockwise after you have removed the plug(s). It will make no difference to the valve position whatever way the engine is turned, but as you correctly point out turning it clockwise puts undue pressure on a relatively delicate tensioner that ratchets out and can relatively easily be forced back in past the delicate ratchet mechanism causing damage. Books, even technical books can have errors. RE have an error in their manual. They don’t make the manual readily available so luckily only trained mechanics who will use their knowledge to do it right.

[@iantoy7778]

Thing is not everyone is a mechanic. The royal Enfield lends it self for people who would normally just take there bike to a service centre to have a go at there own maintenance and the first place they will look would have been a workshop manual or maybe KZbin now days lol.

[@marcelobybike]

Hello, so the correct direction is counterclockwise?

[@iantoy7778]

@@marcelobybike yes, alway turn the engine the way it runs , which in this case is counterclockwise.

[@marcelobybike]

@@iantoy7778 Thanks so much. One more question: Do you have the maintenance manual for the 2023/2023 Himalayan motorcycle?

[@iantoy7778]

@@marcelobybike No sorry I don't have one.

[@guyonacub4335]

At last my wife is wrong 😂😂😂 I did the valve adjustment on my previous himalayan and could never get it right, I sat on the floor with head in hands telling her the engine must go in the direction of travel She told me enfield must know what they are doing 😂😂 Keep doing what your doing as you do it well Wife can now do the walk of shame 😅

[@iantoy7778]

No comment 😂

[@kepa504]

Majority of engines run clockwise and motorcycles as viewed from the Right hand side its just the way they work so its as you say just a typo .

[@iantoy7778]

Confusing though for people that don't know.

[@OurDee]

I'm going to try that 2 pipes from the front thing on the tank next time.

[@iantoy7778]

Thanks for watching. Hope you found it useful.