Valve adjust

Kid Thunder · May 22, 2019

Why do these bikes need a valve adjust if it has hydraulic lifters. Or does it not have hydraulic lifters?

TonyA · May 22, 2019

They are hydraulically adjusted . Are you reading this in the owners manual ? Check in the Euro 4 Service Manual , it should clarify that it only needs to be done after a rebuild or major service

Kid Thunder · May 22, 2019

Thanks Tony. I noticed it on the forum. My computer has been down for a couple weeks + I'm working off my phone. Which can be a problem.
That's what I thought. I just did the head bolt torque + buttoned it up when I noticed it.
Again thanks

TonyA · May 23, 2019

The information is in the manual , but sometimes hard to find ! You gotta love those hydraulic valve lifters !

Kid Thunder · May 23, 2019

Got that right!! None of my bikes had them. Great for low rpm bikes.

Kid Thunder · May 23, 2019

Yeah. It is hard to find. My computer is shot + I'm working off my phone. Not ideal

Kid Thunder · May 23, 2019

Hey Tony. Quick question. Not after an oil change but normal checks how do you check the engine oil? Ho, cold or whatever?

Eljahara · May 23, 2019

Kid Thunder said:
Hey Tony. Quick question. Not after an oil change but normal checks how do you check the engine oil? Ho, cold or whatever?

Hi Kid,
Procedure is to start and warm for about 2 minutes, raise to 2000 rpm for 10 seconds or so then switch off and check level. Oil level should be just above (max 1/3 up) the bottom mark of the knurled section
John

TonyA · May 24, 2019

Yes , Like John (Eljahara) says.

contours · May 24, 2019

Speaking of checking the oil level ... I’m about to finish up another oil change before I take mine out for the first ride of the season. I found the torque spec for everything except the banjo bolts coming off the oil cooler. Does someone have that number handy?

Rob Jameson - Norton UK · May 24, 2019

contours · May 24, 2019

Thanks very much, Rob.

richard-7 · May 25, 2019

contours said:
Thanks very much, Rob.

Very often the oem norton adjustment screw doesn’t have enough travel and the oil passage is blocked. Good news is ollie from Theil has a fix.

BritTwit · May 25, 2019

richard-7 said:
Very often the oem norton adjustment screw doesn’t have enough travel and the oil passage is blocked. Good news is ollie from Theil has a fix.

Richard,

OK, now don't tease us, explain.

richard-7 · Jul 31, 2019

Valve guides by enmyafca13, on Flickr
.
CLICK AND WATCH THIS VIDEO
.

This is my dads bike. 19,000 miles. Been smoking heavy since last year. Thought it was anything but worn guides at only 19,000 miles. Had the head off multiple time but never thought to give the valve a wiggle test. Strange I know but anyone who tears apart engines would be shocked by this due to the mileage. Now if the bike had high mileage then this would have been the go to check.

My bike with 14,000 miles has smoke coming from R/H side exhaust. Thinking this is the start of my issues too. Of course Norton will not reply to any of our emails so at least I gave them first chance to comment on this. But...... enough said there.

So been talking to loads of people on the internet and come to find it's a known issue. 961's start wearing the guides around 15,000miles. The good news is Thiel MotorSports has a fix. It does involve sending him your head though. Someone told me they took their bike in for service and Norton replaced the head at 50% COST TO CUSTOMER saying the customer must have put wrong oil...... hmmmmmmmmm

This tells me they are aware of this issue.

Not sure what year bikes this issue will be present... Could still be an issue????

Have a great day....

richard-7 · Jul 31, 2019

BritTwit said:
Richard,

OK, now don't tease us, explain.

Pull your valve cover and inspect your rockers. You'll know right away if one is seized from blockage. I wonder how many have been caught when you torque your head and check valves at 1,000 miles??? Maybe none. Maybe loads have been caught from Factory????

jan nelder · Aug 1, 2019

so rocker(s) are seizing/ not moving easily, which is putting extra sideways load on valve tip?

Fast Eddie · Aug 1, 2019

richard-7 said:
Valve guides by enmyafca13, on Flickr
.
CLICK AND WATCH THIS VIDEO
.

This is my dads bike. 19,000 miles. Been smoking heavy since last year. Thought it was anything but worn guides at only 19,000 miles. Had the head off multiple time but never thought to give the valve a wiggle test. Strange I know but anyone who tears apart engines would be shocked by this due to the mileage. Now if the bike had high mileage then this would have been the go to check.

My bike with 14,000 miles has smoke coming from R/H side exhaust. Thinking this is the start of my issues too. Of course Norton will not reply to any of our emails so at least I gave them first chance to comment on this. But...... enough said there.

So been talking to loads of people on the internet and come to find it's a known issue. 961's start wearing the guides around 15,000miles. The good news is Thiel MotorSports has a fix. It does involve sending him your head though. Someone told me they took their bike in for service and Norton replaced the head at 50% COST TO CUSTOMER saying the customer must have put wrong oil...... hmmmmmmmmm

This tells me they are aware of this issue.

Not sure what year bikes this issue will be present... Could still be an issue????

Have a great day....

Ok, call to the collective body of knowledge...

I can’t even begin to imagine how many valves guides there are currently in the world merrily working away.

By any standards, failure at 15,000 is premature.

So... what could be causing this ?

TonyA · Aug 1, 2019

richard-7 said:
Valve guides by enmyafca13, on Flickr
.
CLICK AND WATCH THIS VIDEO
.

This is my dads bike. 19,000 miles. Been smoking heavy since last year. Thought it was anything but worn guides at only 19,000 miles. Had the head off multiple time but never thought to give the valve a wiggle test. Strange I know but anyone who tears apart engines would be shocked by this due to the mileage. Now if the bike had high mileage then this would have been the go to check.

My bike with 14,000 miles has smoke coming from R/H side exhaust. Thinking this is the start of my issues too. Of course Norton will not reply to any of our emails so at least I gave them first chance to comment on this. But...... enough said there.

So been talking to loads of people on the internet and come to find it's a known issue. 961's start wearing the guides around 15,000miles. The good news is Thiel MotorSports has a fix. It does involve sending him your head though. Someone told me they took their bike in for service and Norton replaced the head at 50% COST TO CUSTOMER saying the customer must have put wrong oil...... hmmmmmmmmm

This tells me they are aware of this issue.

Not sure what year bikes this issue will be present... Could still be an issue????

Have a great day....

How am I supposed to have a great day now ? !

TonyA · Aug 1, 2019

Fast Eddie said:
Ok, call to the collective body of knowledge...

I can’t even begin to imagine how many valves guides there are currently in the world merrily working away.

By any standards, failure at 15,000 is premature.

So... what could be causing this ?

Many reasons really . Not suitable material of valve guides or valves , Wrong fitment initally - too much cleareance - not enough heat pulled away from valve stem , Not ideal rocker arm geometry causing excessive side load on stems , lubrication somehow compromised . Without more data , all guess work . Is it just the intakes ? How are the valve stems vs guides ? Etc... Now that this is out , lets get all the data and hopefully resolve this for good.