Gl1200 valves

[Dirkvr]

Hello everyone, I’m new to this forum. I have a 1984 gl 1200 with 30k miles. I purchased the bike recently and put very few miles on her before tearing her apart for a complete restoration/modification. The engine is out, I’m installing a new stator and starter clutch. The few times I rode the bike she pulled strong, no unusual noises. Only thing I noticed was smoke, more then what should be normal. I’m aware of the side stand vs center stand issue, not that. Carbs we’re running lean, a small amount of choke seemed to improve smooth idle so, maybe that. Did a compression test 125 front right all others 160-165. Noticed there is a gap between the valves and the rocker arm, I’m able to wiggle it on that RF cylinder, not the others. I’m confused about adjustments it’s hydraulic but I read about shims. Maybe she just needs to be ridden. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dirk.

[CrystalPistol]

Wiggle what?

No shims, no adjustment.

Could be a burnt valve on that one …. or maybe a bent valve.

[Bike...and Dennis]

Actually, there are shims. Do you have an OEM manual?

[Dirkvr]

Thanks for the reply, I can wiggle the rocker arm only on that RF cylinder. I have a Haynes manual, not an oem.

[Bike...and Dennis]

Don't know what the Haynes book says, but this is the Honda version.

[ekvh]

Lots of Goldwings have low compression readings if they sit a while. A few hundred miles and the numbers come back to acceptable.

One theory is the piston rings are partially frozen. Heat and cool and running them frees them up.

You could learn more about yours with a leak down test. But if it isn’t tapping bad, I’d run it easy for a while and then check.

The valve adjusters take up the slack with oil pressure. When you first put a set of heads back on, you have to crank quite a while before the bike gets any compression.

I just had one of the tools sent to me to check shims. I did it by using math and putting the vernier caliper down into the hole for the hydraulic adjuster, but it probably isn’t best.

[CrystalPistol]

Wiggle what?

No shims, no adjustment.

Could be a burnt valve on that one …. or maybe a bent valve.

Well, he asked about adjustment so I was in a mindset of such (like used with some engines, adjusters or shims at various points through life cycle), not the means used during initial engine assembly, not as an intended adjustment tool at just 30K on a 1200.
Yeah, likely it just needs riding … much like hydraulic lifters that bleed down on a long unused car or pickup truck.

[Dirkvr]

Thanks so much for the insight. For now I think I’ll get the bike finished ride her a bit recheck the compression. I believe the engine doesn’t have to come out to do shims.