Front valve cover removal?

[GreenEyedGecko]

So does anyone know how to get the front valve cover off? I want to check the valve clearances. It looks like this black plastic cover underneath the air filter housing has to come off but I can’t see how without pulling the carbs off. Or can I get to the valve cover from the front by taking the radiators off. (btw – I am no mechanic – just winging it!! ). Cheers.

[Hairy biker]

If I remember rightly you have to take the carbs off anyway, cybercarl did a fantastic post on here about changing cct's. I tried to put a link to it but I made a right fluff of it, I don't even know where it ended up if you type cct guide into the search box it will find it for you then just click on jump to post

[Wicky]

Here's the link hairy - you might want to edit your reply post which has duplicated Carl's pics and everything

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=28794 edit whoops.. made a mobius loop - darkember saves the day!

[Hairy biker]

Thanks wicky your a hero I really should give up on elastic trickery gizmo's my heads to thick and my fingers are too fat

[darkember]

This is the link you need, follow it to the letter & all should be fine.

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 31&t=28583

[Hairy biker]

Er....what........I don't.... What happened up there ? Now I'm really confused in going to sleep before I crash the national grid or something.

[VTRDark]

I want to check the valve clearances

If your going to check the valve clearances then you may as well do something about the CCT's if they are still standard. You can either get some manual tensioners or if you haven got any then at least do a stop mod on the ones you have.
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 31&t=19416

By the way your valve clearances will more than likely be fine with only 17K on the engine.

(:-})

[GreenEyedGecko]

Hi, Thanks. I already replaced the CCTs with new automatic ones ( but auto v manual - that is another debate I think :-) )
The valve clearances on the rear cylinder are fine but I want to check the front cylinder too before I balance the carbs. My problem is getting the front valve cover off. It looks like I might have to either take off this plastic cover to get in from the top but I cant see how to do that without pulling off the carbs altogether. Or perhaps I might have to take off the radiators to get in from the front. (either way a right slaver on) I just wondered if anyone had done this and which is the best way in.

[VTRDark]

What's the problem with pulling the carbs, it's nothing scary and will only take you 10 minutes max with the airbox removed. You will want to remove the plastic cowl or it will be virtually Imposable to check the clearances properly.
How to remove the carbs off the bike

As for the CCT's new Honda tensioners are not safe unless they have had the stop mod done on them. They can fail at anytime without warning and cause the chain to jump and possible cause you valves to go crashing.
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic ... er#p251249

(:-})

[Stratman]

It is much easier to remove the front cam cover after you have removed the carbs and the "undertray" and swung the oil cooler out of the way, especially if the pillar bolts are tight. The heads aren't very big and access is tight. I found this much the easier way.

Oh, BTW, manual v automatic CCTs - not a debate at all, autos fail, manuals don't. Of course, not all autos fail, but no manuals ever do.

[agentpineapple]

sound advice gents.......
manuals all the way.

[AMCQ46]

STOPPER

[lloydie]

Stopper or manuals it don't matter witch as long as you do one .

But then again I could sell you a front cylinder head for £200 when the new standard cct fails :-)