I adjusted my valves for the first time on saturday, (first ever in about 6 years), and it didn't want to run after I had finished. Now I followed the steps that are posted on exriders. I know how to follow simple directions, and I know how to use a feeler gauge! Before I mounted the tank back up, I fired it up and it gave me a hell of a time trying to start, then I had to feather the throttle to keep it running. I was very unsatisfied so I took the caps back off, got it back to TDC on the comp stroke and backed the adjustment off so that the feelers were very loose, put all the caps back on and it ran like it did before I did the first adjustment.

Rode on sunday, and it felt like it ran awesome, (better then my last ride). I don't know if it really ran better, or if it was just in my head!

Anyone else had this problem, or have any ideas why she didn't want to run after I adjusted valves to spec.

Thanks

 

Might have had the valves to tight

 

before you adjusted the valves was it making a ticking noise, and was it drinking a lot of oil.

 

only makes a ticking sound on startup, which from reading some recent posts I believe may be cam chain slap? I know nothing about that. It still does it when I start it cold. And it uses NO oil at all. My biggest question is should the valves have stayed in adjustment for 5+ years? I think the schedule is about every 20 hours, but like I said I backed them off again and on my ride it seemed like it had a boost in poewr.

 

Those are abit trickier to do than most valve adjustments. 2 valves are connected to one cam follower, which rides on the cam. Did you leave the shim in the gap while you adjusted the other side? If you just use one shim, and do each valve separate, the rocker can be twisted, (were talking small amount here, like a few thou). thowing off the adjustment. Next time, after the 1st intake is adjusted, leave the shim in the gap, and then do the other intake. Then move on to the exhaust, leaving the first shim in the gap, while the other is adjusted.
Its also posible the first adjustment was done at tdc of exhaust stroke, instead of the compression stroke.

 

Good to know for next time hondabuster! I'll definetly remember that. Its possible i did 1st adjustment on exh stroke, but not likely. lol

 

Aw crap, I should correct my mistake. Its the 300ex which has the connected rockers, shown here

The 400ex rockers are singles....so never mind on the keeping the shim in the gap trick...that works on 300ex.
Sorry

 

thats cool man, thanks for sharing the correction! then I guess this is a good topic for the guys with the 300's to read.