Motorcycle Repair: Harley Valve Adjustment, hydraulic lifters, thread pitch

Question
Hi Mike,

I installed adjustable push rods on my EVO after having some head work done. What is the best way to adjust them? It has a mild cam and hydraulic lifters.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Answer
Different push rod companies have different thread pitch on the pushrods, so the adjustment is a little different.
In general, first start with a cold motor. Rotate the valve you are working on until it is all the way at the bottom  of its stroke. Turn the adjuster until it tight and then go about 20 flats on the nut. You are now going to have to wait around 10 munutes for the lifter to bleed down. After it bleeds down check to see if you can rotate the pushrod with your fingers. Keep adjusting until you have them totally bled. Now back off the adjuster just until you can rotate to pushrod with your fingers. If it is to tight you will take a chance on hitting the valve on the piston. Now go to the next one and do the same thing.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike