HI, I just bought a 1990 Mojave, I'm doing some routine maint. on it before I turn it over to my son, the engine has some noise in the top end and I was wondering what the valve clearance should be on this engine.

 

Intake .008" Exhaust .010"

 

thanks for reply, one more question, I am trying to figure out what the noise is in the top end, on a recomendation from cycle shop here I removed the compression release mechanism, I also set the valves to what was recommended .008 and .010, the engine still makes a noise like there could be a lot of slop between the cam follower and cam. Do these engines make a little noise from valve area by nature or should they be quiet?

 

There is a normal noise with the valve train, but it is usually minimal. I don't think removing the comp release was a good idea. It will make it harder to kick and put more stress on the kick start gears and mechanism which is already a problem area on the mojave. Probably the only sore spot on a mojave is the kick start setup. I have never seen the comp release cause any problems on these bikes, I still run mine on a highly modded one with a huge cam. If you think there is too much top end noise still, try checking the timing chain and tensioner to make sure it is tight and not making noise.

The problem I have seen most often that sounds like a valve ticking is that the spark plug gets a little loose and the slight leak around it sounds just like a loose valve ticking. This happens a lot because the cavity in the head going down to the plug is so small that the plug wrench wont go down all the way and the plug never gets tightened enough. It then works a little looser and there comes the noise.
good luck and let me know if you find it or decide it is normal noise.

 

thanks for the responses, In regards to the compression release, I cut the pin that holds the mechanism onto the end of the cam, would I have to now get the whole exhaust cam to reinstall the release? also the noise can only be heard when it is idling, I just put a new plug in it and had a socket machined down to fit into the head, so I know it is tight. I did kick the machine over with head cover removed and it sounds like the cam follower (rocker shaft) is making the noise. any other ideas? thanks for all the help

 

I replaced the timing chain on my 93 and it helped but it is still kinda noisy. The chain was $70 bucks from the mail order and its not the simplest of jobs. Both side cases, flywheel, valve cover, balance shaft ends all come off.