Valve Tappet Adjustment - Harley VL - Rider's Manual -

Adjusting the Valves on a VL

This how-to article applies to 1930-1936 Harley Davidson V series motorcycles and originally appeared in the rider's manual

To get the maximum power and speed from a motor, keep valve tappets properly adjusted. They must be adjusted after grinding valves, and should be inspected and if necessary, re-adjusted about every 1000 miles thereafter. The important things to be remembered when adjusting tappets are:

• Motor must be cold.
• To be sure that a valve is fully closed and its tappets at the lowest position when adjusting clearance, turn motor until the like valve in the other cylinder is held wide open.
• The intake valves are those nearest the carburetor.
• Intake should have .004 to .005 inch clearance between inlet valve stems and tappets
• Exhaust should have .006 to .007 inch clearance between exhaust valve stems and tappets
• Before replacing a valve spring cover, inspect the paper gasket between cover and tappet bushing. If broken or damaged, fit a new gasket to prevent an oil leak at this point.

To adjust a tappet, loosen lock nut slightly; then turn adjusting screw in or out of tappet body as may be necessary to obtain proper adjustment. When adjustment is completed, securely tighten lock nut.

1-Tappet adjusting screw; 2-Lock nut; 3-Tappet; 4-Valve stem.