Question Just wondered is it hard to synchronize the carburetors. We changed all the other things you suggested and it runs a lot better but I still think the carburetors need adjusting. Thanks for your time
------------------------
Followup To
Question -
-------------------------I don't understand one thing if this bike has automatic adjusters in the valves, why do they sell shims for in it? I wish it would automatically adjust itself so we could ride it. But what are the shims for. I know they sell two different sizes of them. Roxanne
Followup To
Question -
My husband bought a 1986 Honda Shadow VT700C about a year ago. It looks like new and has less than 4,000 miles on it. The valves need adjusted and I was wondering if you could tell us the valve gap, the gap for the spark plug and the timing mark. Everyone tells us if we take it to a Honda dealer they'll probably tell us it all needs redone and charge us an arm and a leg. We've been looking for someone who repairs bikes on the side and we found a guy but he needed us to get these specs. None of the Honda shops would give us this information. My husband should just do the adjusting himself. He's worked on dirt bikes and rebuilt them and he's rebuilt our Chevy pickup motor and he does all the repairs on our vehicles. Is this a very difficult job to do? My husband is one of those people that does everything himself. But I don't want him to get into more than he can handle. Please let me know. Roxanne
Answer -
Hi Roxanne,
The engine has hydraulic valve adjusters. Valve clearances are automatically adjusted.
There are two plugs to each cylinder. Tune-up specs, such as spark plug gap, can be found printed on frame or side cover labels/stickers. If you cannot find these labels/stickers, let me know.
Basically, all your husbands needs to do is change fluids, fliters, check spark plugs, synchronize carburetors, lube cables, service battery, and he's cutting grass. : )
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
Answer -
Roxanne,
There are only a couple of shims in large incriments to compensate for the initial lash (clearance) on the VT700C. In non-hydraulic adjusting engines, there are numerous shims for adjusting valve lash. Shims are available in .05mm incriments (2.30mm to 2.80mm).
Keep the oil and filter changed per factory recommendations and enjoy.
Mark
AnswerHi Roxanne,
Synchronizing the carburetors is not that difficult. Requires a special tool and adaptors, which is available from J.C. Whitney...see the link below.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=3704)
Send me an email and I'll return files that will assist you with the adjustment. mshively1@woh.rr.com
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
