Motorcycle Repair: Adjusting tappets after removal of cylinder head., shovel head, rear cylinder

Question
QUESTION: I got a 1977 shovel head FXE. I just finished reinstalling the cylinder head on the rear cylinder and got the push rods in.  I need to adjust the adjusting screws at the bottom of the push rods.  I got the harley book for the bike.  I think i followed the instructions to the best of my knowledge but the adjustment i did to the rods just don't seem right and there is some parts of the book that doesn't seem clear enough to me. The book tells me that "I am to turn the adjusting screw downward until the hydraulic unit piston bottoms in its bore.  Then turn it up 1-3/4 turns then tighten up the locknut."   Does that mean that i snug the adjusting screw of the push rod to the hydraulic unit?  I tried tightining it further to compress the spring on the hydrolic unit but it just opens the valve up.  Now i have the valve on the front cylinder all the  way opened (Highest Point) like it says before adjusting said being the intake valve,  And adjusting the intake valve on the rear cylinder.  Also I am following the instructions for a dry hydrolic unit being that i removed the rods.

ANSWER: The units are not dry, they have oil in them. You have to remove the oil out of them and then adjust them. remove the tappets and looking at the bottom of them and you will see a hole. Gently push a wire in there and pump the tappet against the spring. You are moving a ball and when you pump them the oil will come out. Now adjust them dry. Dond forget to rotate the motor so the tappet youa re adjusting is at the bottom of its stroke
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: In my HD maintenance book, it also provides instructions on how to adjust the tappets with a "Wet Hydraulic unit".  It says to to "with the tappet in its lowest position, loosen lock nut and turn adjusting screw upward (shortening push rod), until push rod has noticeable shake.  Then slowly take up the slack until all the shake has been taken up.  Then mark screws and turn adjusting screw downward exactly 4 turns"  Since it is not a dry hydraulic unit can i do this instead of bleeding the unit and removing the tappets?  Thank you very much for your response.   TOM

Answer
yes, you can do that, but you will have to wait till they bleed down. Its not hard to remove the tappets. without the pushrods in you lust pull them out. You dont have to take the whole unit out, just the hydrolic unit from the top
Good luck and happy riding
Mike