DIY Tappet Decompressor? Is there anything like that..

[TheGoodGuy]

We are going to do an valve job (next weekend) and I want to get ready. I am going to get a pack of shims from the dealer and get my carb sync tool ready and then get ready to go where I (or marucio) have never gone before.

At 6600+ miles I am long over due for some good loving care on the bike. I will put in a new airfilter (stock suzuki), change teh oil, redo all the bearings and basically give my bike some love. Oh yeah hopefully by then I will have JeffD's LED's so I can mount those.

By the way does anybody know of a good Harley Davidson Forum? sorta like GStwin? Reason.. we for heck cant figure out how to carbsync marucio's harley. Its one carb for 2 cylinders.. Its running a bit funny and we might have to do an valve adjustment on his thing too.

[yamahonkawazuki]

there is no syncing a single carb on a harley. check valve pushrod clearance, under valve cover/s, simple. valves closed, lifters off of rods should be able to turn rods side to side, but not move up or down. i would check either timing, carb jets, plugs/filters etc. first.  

[sprint_9]

Do a search for "tappet decompressor" and it should come up with 7 or 8 results.

[yamahonkawazuki]

are you talking about the device that allows for removal of the shims? if memory serves me correctly it kinds looks like a hook (goes under the camshaft and on top of the valve-spring if you find out what the part no. is can you post it? im looking for one myself. am approaching 4000 miles. almost time for 4k service.

[TheGoodGuy]

are you talking about the device that allows for removal of the shims? if memory serves me correctly it kinds looks like a hook (goes under the camshaft and on top of the valve-spring if you find out what the part no. is can you post it? im looking for one myself. am approaching 4000 miles. almost time for 4k service.

yup that one..

I thought there was a DIY one.

I am also looking for the DIY Carb Sync Instructions (i have seen the pic) and the DIY Spare gas tank (made of a 2 liter pepsi bottle and some tube) for carb syncing and stuff..

[yamahonkawazuki]

i wonder (on the diy spare gas tank,) if you can use the water bottles, the ones you put into the hamster cage, just remove the ball at the end. and attach tubing to it.good idea or just plain   ?

[Blueknyt]

a univeral Lawnmower fuel tank works well, mine came off of a murry, and it has an ON/OFF Valve

[Kerry]

Here are a couple of older threads that might be helpful:

1) Tappet Decompressor

2) Ideas for an auxiliary fuel tank?

[Kerry]

Here is another thread that may be useful:

Tools: Do I need the tappet decompressor?

Speaking of the DIY aspect, my Haynes manual shows a (small) picture of a homemade version of the valve spring compressor tool.  It's made out of (relatively) thin steel bar.  They didn't give dimensions, or show it in use, so I didn't know how to go about making it or applying it.  Now that I've used my Motion Pro tool a couple times, I could probably grind out the DIY version without too much trouble.

If you're interested, let me know and I will scan the small, grainy?, black-and-white photo and post it.  The image should be plenty good enough to give you the general idea.  Hmmm ... maybe someone with real metalworking skills could [work from the photo or a CAD drawing and] offer DIY versions of this tool at a reasonable price...?

[Kerry]

You [didn't] ask for it, [but] you got it [anyway]....

The DIY tool - from the Haynes manual:



vs the aftermarket version from MotionPro:


[Edit: Updated the URL for the 1st image because of some cleanup work in my webspace.]

[EDIT: Changed links from sisna.com to bbburma.net]

[yamahonkawazuki]

yeah, ive used the motion pro tool several times while at mmi. more i think about it, a flat bladed screwdriver can be used. (heat w/torch and bend around an anvil tip or a piece of bar stock plus it has handle :mrgreen: