gmarktbone Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 without breaking it/belt/alternator/bike/etc? That was the hardest part of my first valve adjustment that I completed tonight. Is there a trick to this?
Boffin Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 The trick is to remove the LH "sharks fin", then ease the cover off to the left. It is flexible enough to come out that way. As this is just a belt shield and is not water ot dust-tight, many folk cut the cover in half horizontaly which greatly simplifies removal, very useful if you have a belt fail in the back of beyond. Andy
azpilot06 Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 A small, tactical nuclear device. Or you could do what Andy said
gmarktbone Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 Do You have a shop service manual? No, I have some internet stuff like Oilhead maintenance for dummies, etc... I do have a Haynes Manual, but it only says to remove the cover. Is there something out there that is more specific?
gmarktbone Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 The trick is to remove the LH "sharks fin", then ease the cover off to the left. It is flexible enough to come out that way. As this is just a belt shield and is not water ot dust-tight, many folk cut the cover in half horizontaly which greatly simplifies removal, very useful if you have a belt fail in the back of beyond. Andy Two issues: 1. Will it cause any problems in the long run to cut the cover in half? 2. By shark fins, do you mean the pieces left after the tupperware has been removed?
Richard_D Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 There is a bracket that must come off. It's on the left side of the bike and is blocking the alternator cover from coming off. It's held on with 2 allen screws.It attatches to the shark fin (a.k.a. , small fin shaped piece of body work which is left on after removing the left side bodywork).Looking at the bike from the front , it's on the botttom right side of the alternator cover.
OoPEZoO Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 Just for another option during valve adjustments.......use the rear wheel to turn the engine over instead of removing the alternator cover to get at the crank nut. Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. Also, just as a note. I am also one of the people who cut their alternator covers in half........not so much for valve adjustments, but more in case I ever have to replace an alternator belt while on the road.
Boffin Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 The trick is to remove the LH "sharks fin", then ease the cover off to the left. It is flexible enough to come out that way. As this is just a belt shield and is not water ot dust-tight, many folk cut the cover in half horizontaly which greatly simplifies removal, very useful if you have a belt fail in the back of beyond. Andy Two issues: 1. Will it cause any problems in the long run to cut the cover in half? 2. By shark fins, do you mean the pieces left after the tupperware has been removed? 1. As this is a non-sealed area it should not cause long-term issues, and indeed none have been reported on this board. 2. Yes, those are the ones - they look like inverted shark fins. Some remove the fins from the bracket - I remove the entire braket/fin assembly as it gives more room. Andy
azpilot06 Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 If concerned about the gap created by cutting the cover in half, you can put a strip of duct tape across it. This seals the gap (although it's already been noted that this cover is intentionally vented), and looks very clean. As it's not a very visible part of the bike, you don't need to worry about looking ghetto for having a strip of duct tape on the bike
gmarktbone Posted July 20, 2008 Author Posted July 20, 2008 Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. I tried this, but I forgot to put it in 6th until after I already had the plugs out. I was only able to shift it into 1st gear or neutral. I tried to keep kicking the sh** out of the trans to get it into a higher gear, to no avail. Next time, I will put the bike into 6th before I turn the bike the day before.
Boffin Posted July 20, 2008 Posted July 20, 2008 Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. I tried this, but I forgot to put it in 6th until after I already had the plugs out. I was only able to shift it into 1st gear or neutral. I tried to keep kicking the sh** out of the trans to get it into a higher gear, to no avail. Next time, I will put the bike into 6th before I turn the bike the day before. Or just turn (rock) the rear wheel by hand whilst shifting with the other hand. Andy
OoPEZoO Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. I tried this, but I forgot to put it in 6th until after I already had the plugs out. I was only able to shift it into 1st gear or neutral. I tried to keep kicking the sh** out of the trans to get it into a higher gear, to no avail. Next time, I will put the bike into 6th before I turn the bike the day before. Or just turn (rock) the rear wheel by hand whilst shifting with the other hand. Andy
AndyS Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 Two issues: 1. Will it cause any problems in the long run to cut the cover in half? 2. By shark fins, do you mean the pieces left after the tupperware has been removed? Most of these covers already have slots and louvres in them, the area is also open at the top around the alternator anyway. So cutting them in half will not be detrimental in any way, they are designed to be open. Andy
Jeron Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. I tried this, but I forgot to put it in 6th until after I already had the plugs out. I was only able to shift it into 1st gear or neutral. I tried to keep kicking the sh** out of the trans to get it into a higher gear, to no avail. Next time, I will put the bike into 6th before I turn the bike the day before. Or just turn (rock) the rear wheel by hand whilst shifting with the other hand. Andy +1
DiggerJim Posted July 21, 2008 Posted July 21, 2008 If concerned about the gap created by cutting the cover in half, you can put a strip of duct tape across it. This seals the gap (although it's already been noted that this cover is intentionally vented), and looks very clean. As it's not a very visible part of the bike, you don't need to worry about looking ghetto for having a strip of duct tape on the bike The Gorilla Glue folks make a heavy duty black duct tape that works great for this purpose.
cali_beemer Posted July 22, 2008 Posted July 22, 2008 Just for another option during valve adjustments.......use the rear wheel to turn the engine over instead of removing the alternator cover to get at the crank nut. Just put your transmission in its highest gear, remove the spark plugs, and then you can easily turn the engine over by just rotating the rear wheel. This is the way I used for adjusting valves. Very easy. Getting the crank lock pin in was the hardest part IMO. Trying to make sure its fully engaged.
Eh2Zee Posted April 27, 2013 Posted April 27, 2013 There is a bracket that must come off. It's on the left side of the bike and is blocking the alternator cover from coming off. It's held on with 2 allen screws.It attatches to the shark fin (a.k.a. , small fin shaped piece of body work which is left on after removing the left side bodywork).Looking at the bike from the front , it's on the botttom right side of the alternator cover. Just trying to get the cover off. That bracket looks like its bolts are part of a more seriously sealed part of the engine/transmission. Do you folks regularly remove that bracket? Or is it just a matter of "coaxing" the cover out around the bracket once the shark fins are removed? '04 R1150RT
kioolt Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 I always remove the bracket with the shark fin attached on the left side.
Eh2Zee Posted April 28, 2013 Posted April 28, 2013 I always remove the bracket with the shark fin attached on the left side. Thank you! That's what I needed to hear, eh....
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