VALVE CLEARANCE CHECK AND ADJUSTMENT ON A ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN - DIY

[@bhutantuskmotorcycletours8438]

30,000 Km on my RE himalayan now,Haven't done anything except the changing of timely engine oil and filters.But it is running very smooth as of now.After riding all kinds of bike,like BMW 800,Triumph tiger,Suzuki DRZ 400,KTM,Benneli,Ducati and so on I am settling down with RE Himalaya as it is the perfect bike I have found.Mild on the wallet, gentle on my body,reliable on the journey.Its my 4th year with RE Himalaya and I am really having a good time. Regards from Bhutan.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thanks for sharing, Thats wonderful to know .

[@tonylloyd5077]

Just carrying out the first big service myself (1 year / 5000km) and have found all your "how to" videos so helpful. Thanks so much. Cheers from Australia 😀👍

[@starlordstarlordman8489]

Every time I thought you might skip a detail you went on to explain, or add awesome pictures. I am planning to get a Himalayan in a about a month and had wondered if I could make these adjustments, now I know I can. Great pace, great explanation, so glad I found you. Subscribed and liked🙂 Bought a 2020 Himalayan yesterday🙂

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thanks for the kind words dear friend. Means a lot . Will continue to make meaningful videos .

[@Mixologist-fc4sc]

I watch two other youtube videos about this exact topic and your video is the best. I like the fact that you included diagrams which provides great clarity. Now I don't have to pay $600 for the dealer to do the valve adjustment.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏

[@sscbkr48]

Good instructional Ben.. Having grown up with air cooled VWs, I appreciate the importance of doing your own servicing as such.. helps develop a relationship with your steed.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

totally agree. half the modern day owners treat their motorcycles as their gadgets . what they dont understand is that the bike is a man made extension of ourselves on the road . you can never be independent of it . it is imperative to develop a relationship with the machine .

[@bartwillems6506]

probably a good idea to get the proper feel gauge with the exact thickness. Love your personality and your child like enjoyment when driving your bike. Unlike many other channels you provide very useful content. thank you Ben.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thanks for the kind words . Means a lot . If there is one thing that i truly am grateful for in life , then that’s got to be the ability to balance on two wheels and see the world going backwards .. it’s the greatest feeling every single time ., and so you can see the excitement 😁..

[@blairguinea6811]

Great vid Ben, very educational with style....................thank you Sir

[@Yeetus223]

The one handed mechanic! Love your work. I got everything done on my 500 km interval except this. Glad I checked the gap on my spark plug it was to narrow now it’s running like a dream.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Ha ha . Nobody to help with the camera pal . And super glad to hear that my videos help .

[@azharc123]

By far the best video ever. Thanks

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Glad that it helped and thank you for the acknowledgment ❤️🙏

[@winstonisghostrider]

Thanks Ben. ! Solved that annoying noise coming from my engine.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Make sure to check every 5000 kilometers friend . 😊👍

[@sideskraft]

What was the noise you were hearing, and what were the valve gaps before adjustment? I just bought a '21 with 3000 miles and the engine gets noisy (sounds like valvetrain) around 4500 rpm and up, so I'm planning to check and adjust the gaps tomorrow. Hopefully that solves the noise issue.

[@michaelpatterson6678]

Good video. Thanks.

[@jimthesprayer]

Beautifully explained. Thankyou Ben

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Glad to hear that Jim. 🙏

[@shajik.damodaran8156]

Good one ben. When rotating the engine to match the timing marks for tdc comp. stroke, always rotate the engine in clockwise direction.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thank you sir for the acknowledgment. But I have to tell you that I have always turned the crank counter clockwise to get TDC.. which way does the Himalayan engine turn ?

[@shajik.damodaran8156]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN Engine rotates in clockwise direction. It is further easy to match the marks once you remove the spark plug.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@shajik.damodaran8156 sorry to disagree Sir , the rotation of the crank is counter clockwise in the case of the Himalayan . Kindly put the bike ok centre stand and rotate the rear tyre in 3-4-5 gear . You will be able to see the flywheel move in CCW direction .

[@shajik.damodaran8156]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN I have not yet checked this physically. I am forwarding the relevant page of the manual on this setting in your whatsapp no., Of course this could be a printing error too.

[@mattyb7736]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN page 98 of the service manual clearly states "Rotate clockwise only" this is because the magneto retaining bolt is right hand thread and can be loosened if turning anti clockwise and against engine compression. I realise this is unlikely but I have seen it happen.

[@FL-PHILLIP]

Wonderful explanation!! Ty!!

[@jjmoto6078]

Appreciate the quality content! Thank you.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Glad it helped 🙏

[@fazat555]

Hi Ben I’m fairly new to owning a Himalayan got mine few months ago love it n love your vids super helpful I dint play with my valves on the 500km service but I plan to look at it on the 3000km service, keep up to good content bro rgds from Tanzania 🇹🇿

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

thanks for the love brother.

[@philsmith1087]

Thanks for the video, I'll have to have a look for a tappet tool. You used a "10 Millimeter Ring Spanner" and checked the "Tappet Clearances" :)

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

😊. Sure thanks

[@swexplorer]

Excellent video friend!👍

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thank you 👍

[@mailalexjoseph]

Thanks a lot for this channel, Ben! Great resource!

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Glad it helps fellow bikers 🙏

[@freespiritravi0001]

Maybe RE should bring in you for next Himalayan upgrade. 😉. Excellent work.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@freespiritravi0001 glad that the video helped friend.

[@abhisheknegi2030]

Sounds very smooth, I also have valve clarence issue, but still not fixed, still having tik tick sound and rough throttle responce, engine is also bit rough, I have BS4

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

yes , the right valve clearance matters . but dont end up assuming that engine noise is always loose tappets.

[@abhisheknegi2030]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN my issue is the moment I cross 4500RPM bike starts having vibration. Either it will be a valve Clarence or crank connecting rod issue. I am not very good with fuel injection based bikes, so not able to diagnose the problem. Carbs bikes are much easy maccha.

[@tmstark]

The “angled wrench” is called an offset box end wrench or double box end wrench. At least that’s what it’s called in the States.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thank you

[@pnpraveen6383]

Good one again Ben, you make the job look easy. Thank you for sharing.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

It is indeed an easy job . Just have sufficient time in your hands and a calm head before you perform the task .

[@narayanaswamygopinathdevot6372]

Bro Ben the divice is also feeler gauge .9 thou is the clearance for inlet valve thankyou 👍👌🙏

[@daveslastchance]

followed your instructions, adjusted valves and buttoned everything back up. Now check engine light is on. Everything's connected properly, I think, and it starts and runs fine. ??

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Did you plug the fuel level connector ( blue one underneath the tank )?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

It should be a loose connector .

[@daveslastchance]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN been researching. I think the light's on because I started the bike before connecting the fuel pump. So, that caused a fuel pump error code. Now I'm going to follow instructions I found for clearing the ECU code. I think that will work. Gotta remember not to start the bike before everything's re-connected in the future.

[@wallmaker84]

Hi Ben. The rotation of the crank is clock wise or counter clock wise? Any automatic de compressore to check?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Counter clockwise . But so is the thread of lock nut that holds the alternator and that is why the company wants you to turn the crank clockwise

[@wallmaker84]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN Thank you!

[@rogerharrison416]

Great video will have ago at this myself now thanks

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

👍👍👍

[@soorajks7608]

Good job buddy 👍

[@corychartier7961]

I have trying to find how often this is suppose to be done on the himalayan do you know. Thanks for video

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Subjective matter . But it’s anywhere between 5-7500 kms

[@mckinnontompkins8445]

Thanks Ben

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Anytime friend .

[@powermickel]

Beautiful tires btw. what brand are they?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

front is a ralco motocross and the rear is a timsun ts 820

[@norwescan]

Called an offset wrench

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Thank you

[@ouhike2]

Thank you!

[@farawayvlogs]

What are side effects of improper valve clearance ?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Terrible clatter / overall increase in engine noise / poor performance/ engine over heating and eventually a terrible engine . It’s EXTREMELY important to set the Right valve clearance.

[@clowzeradventure]

hello, thanks for your help, i adjust the valve but the tiktik sound exist after adjustment 😕

[@flower_motovlog3400]

I'm watching in India for tamil Nadu

[@bharathram3850]

Ben i took my himalayan bs6 to rubraa service centre for taper adjust.. They took untill 5pm and they didn't charge any money.. But after 10-15mins after i took the bike from the service centre the tappet noise returned and this time witha more heavier noise and i got the engine malfunction indicator turning on.. I don't what to do please help me out ben!

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

take the bike to kick start garage . Sholingnallur . they will fix it for you . if they cant bring the bike over to me.

[@bharathram3850]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN sure ben thanks a lot.

[@chrisgraham887]

Great video again!! A quick question for you: Is that tappet tool (special tool) 4mm or a 3mm and is the lock nut 8mm or 10mm? thanks so much for sharing these informative videos!!!

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

tappet adjuster is a 3 mm and the lock nut is a `10 mm .

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

glad that these videos help fellow bikers.

[@chrisgraham887]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN They really do! Love my Himalayan! Sadly, all the tappet sets that are 10mm come with 4mm square. The 8mm come with 3mm....may have to buy them separately somehow

[@mattyb7736]

heres a secret hack thats served me well over the years. 10 mm ring spanner, and a #2 Roberts head square drive screw in the end of a piece of dowel. The #2 Roberts head is 3 mm. Same tappet size adjusters on the old 125, 175, 185 SL and XL hondas.

[@clifflove]

Hi Ben, pls guide my bike gone down while 100kmph with clinking sound from gear side towards head , i gone to my mechanic he said my timming chain has been time out now he is saying it's not generating pressure after fixing the timming he said valve/head needs replacement but he is not sure . Pls suggest me

[@adarshsurya4372]

bro do we need to worry about adjusting the valve clearance every 10000 kms or only when it starts creating that tik-tik noise? and which is that frame bag you use?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Rapper adjusting may be performed only when needed . But inspection is to be carried out every 5-10000 kilometers. This is mandatory

[@madanghimire22]

Hi Ben, you gave me good suggestion on Chain sprocket i did change RK chain now and its brilliant. Now i wanted to know how clean my fuel tank i already ride 30k and never cleaned can you suggest me pls how to do it ?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Clean your fuel tank only if you find rust inside . If you do find , then empty fuel tank . Dry it in sunlight . Use baking soda with water 1:10 ratio solution to clean the tank . Dry again in sunlight and you are good to go

[@madanghimire22]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN Thank you Ben

[@karamrider]

well done

[@rajatjoshi7936]

Hey Ben, turns out you SHOULDN'T turn the crankshaft 'anti-clockwise' BUT 'clockwise' while aligning the reference mark with the mark on the inspection hole mark. As it risks opening the nut on the crankshaft.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

yes, get that . you are right.

[@pietromaurizio8990]

ciao di quanti millimetri è il foro quadro sull'attrezzo di regolazione?

[@MrSharath9]

Just completed checking the valve clearance on my Himalayan and you started premiering 😅 Good coincidence I should say...

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Ha ha .. good for you my friend.. keep up the good work . 😊👍👍👍

[@1787vivek]

Ben thanks for the information. i waiting this video. my bike has same problem. i done tappet setting tow times but exhaust tappet noise not gone. (.23mm). please suggest any idea.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

You will have to change your rocker arms. Uneven wear in the rocker arms causes that ticking noise .

[@1787vivek]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN Thanks.

[@zian7099]

Great video Ben.... What is the tool for the tappet adjustment size..... On amazon I find similar tools but with a square hole of 3mm dia..... Wanted to know if that size would fit for the Himalayan ?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Yes friend. It’s a 3mm square .

[@zian7099]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN Thanks a ton Ben

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@zian7099 anytime

[@scottm4559]

Are u a mechanic if not how did u learn this and what is ur profession

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

I used to run a performance parts for motorcycles store . got involved with race mechanics and got to know what I know today . I am a fashion designer / illustrator by profession.

[@mattpreece5112]

Is there a way to adjust without the valve adjustment tool?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

Yes you can . An angled NOSE PLIER

[@darksoul4721]

Bro piston comes to TDC at two specific points ine at the end of comprehension stroke and another at the end of exhaust stroke, now how to know exhaust valve is completely closed?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@darksoul4721 put back the spark plug 2 turns . Rotate the crank again . When you hear a POP when removing the spark plug , you know you are on the right TDC . Both valves closed

[@Chow_V_Lohan]

Hey ben, after adjusting the tappet will there be still that annoying tik tik noise coming from tappet?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

The rim is not just attributed to tappets . Too many reasons for the same . Also this is a noisy engine . Valve clearances are to be checked to keep the bike/engine running in good condition.

[@Chow_V_Lohan]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN i had given my bike to a Machanic so that he Adjust my tappet but for some reason after adjusting the tappet it's making too much of annoying tik tik noise, i guess the mechanic don't have proper idea how to adjust it. So my guess is, it should be loose tappet. Whats your opinion?

[@Chow_V_Lohan]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN before giving my bike, it was not making to much tik tik sound but after adjusting it damn it's irritating.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@Chow_V_Lohan yes 100% . Pls watch the video and do it or ask a mech to do it . Inlet .09 and exhaust .23 mm

[@Chow_V_Lohan]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN thanks ben.

[@rajatjoshi7936]

Hey man, can you share the link where you got the tappet adjuster from?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

www.amazon.in/MEC-Hex-Allen-Key/dp/B07PFRJ9VP/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=3mm+tappet+adjuster&qid=1615626476&sr=8-3

[@lophloph07]

So tdc is at the t mark itself not the line below?

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

T to the Line anywhere

[@lophloph07]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN thanks ben... figured it out. Got the motor running quit and smooth again. Intake valve way loose at 3000 miles. Tappet wrench is a must for this bike.

[@freespiritravi0001]

Hey Ben. Where to locate the Tapper tool.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

you will get it in tools shops or search for 3mm square/box tappet adjuster tool online .

[@ibnuroshans8142]

🤩👍

[@krishGG]

any idea where can i find acceptable valve clearance for meteor 350?

[@chicknman72]

looking at the service manual, it says turn "clockwise ONLY"

[@chicknman72]

36. Tappets Adjustment • If Magneto rotorNOT fitted on crankshaft: - Ensure key way on crankshaft is facing up & piston is at TDC • If Magneto rotor is fitted on crankshaft - Rotate magneto rotor ·cLOCKWISE ONL v·such that the reference mark on the rotor aligns with the inspection hole on cover LH/ Reference mark on Crankcase LH.

[@martinjohny2135]

service center guy suggest me to replace the engine head to get rid off tappet noice . They told me that it's normal when changing the exhaust valve and intake valve ?! Is it possible to get rid off tappet noice without replacing engine head

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

It’s not the noise of the tappets . It’s faulty rocker arms that need replacement. Because it’s a labour intensive job ( removal of all components of the head ) they recommend changing the whole head . Also they get to make more money that way too . Service centres are franchises.

[@martinjohny2135]

Yeah Thanks for the reply ..... So this can be solved in local bike repair shops ?! Issue with my bike .kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZy3qKOqebqVb9k

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

@@martinjohny2135 yes . Competent ones though.

[@DatG-sx1co]

This is exactly what happened to me. Service agents replaced the whole engine head just for 1 fault rocker. They could not even set the valve clearance right.

[@tulasikrishnavallabhaneni4447]

A very good channel for himalayan owners, but seriously u need a good and better camera angle so that a we exactly know what to do.

[@sachinchandrashekar1961]

❤️❤️❤️

[@frankpinion4937]

I wouldn't recommend 0.23 mm for exhaust. My new bike I found to be set at 0.127 mm on exhaust or 5 thou and next to nothing on the inlet. I changed it to around what you & other's from India have suggested 0.229 mm on exhaust and .102 mm on inlet. The result was an uneven idle (lumpy), & would cut out when cold for no apparent reason. It seemed to run ok once warmed up on the road but if you were stopped and it was idling & you engaged gear it had a tendancy to cut out. I'm thinking 0.178 mm for exhaust & .007 mm for inlet. It is indeed unfortunate that Royal enfield don't put out any workshop information online like the italian's seem to do like Ducati & Moto Guzzi. It would stop the second guessing.

[@ONTWOWHEELSBEN]

These are values from the Service manual . Also the tolerances that you have mentioned are way too tight for any 400 Cc single.

[@frankpinion4937]

Are you aligning the T with arrow on casing or the line under the T? Someone suggested you line you line up the line under the T not the T itself with the arrow on casing. I lined up the T with arrow.

[@frankpinion4937]

according to the dealer the exhaust valve clearance is 0.23 mm and the inlet is 0.15 mm

[@frankpinion4937]

@@ONTWOWHEELSBEN The service manual is not correct. I have also checked the service manual. You can set the valve clearance to those settings but the bike will tend to cut out when cold especially around town. The idling will also be un-even. I've set mine to 0.127 mm or 5 thou for both the inlet & exhaust and it now runs perfect when cold or hot-round town or open road. I also adjusted the idling to 1,250 rpm when engine was hot and this has also made a big improvement to the ease of gear changing when hot and especially when stopped in neutral to engage 1st gear. You cannot use your long neck ring spanner on the inlet valve as the lock nut is too close to the wall of the housing so it won't go on. The only thing I could find that would fit was a socket while using a 3/8 breaker bar. You can use your long neck ring spanner on the exhaust lock nut as there's more room and it fits on, however you can also use an ordinary ring/open end spanner for the job. The tappet settings I have given as it so happens are exactly the same as the pre '96 DR650 so whether they share similar cam profiles I'm not sure.

[@tulasikrishnavallabhaneni4447]

I know it is a bit hard to manage with both the hands but please work on that.