Rocker Arm Tolerances

Splat,

See page 5 of the 1999 Workshop Manual for radial play between the rocker arm and the shaft.

See page 22 of the manual for the axial play of the rocker arm on the shaft and how to adjust it (figure 8C)

Does this answer your question?

Joe

the exhaust rocker on my fe400e seems to be moving quite a bit laterally...what does that mean?? it still runs fine, better than ever actually...but is it gunna blow?

Excessive side to side movement of the rockerarm along its axis is not harmful nor is excessive follower end float . Both however will contribute to engine noise.

Rockerarm lateral adjustment:
1 Loosen both 6mm rockereshaft retention screws
2 Through the inspection cover place a small feeler gauge between the rockerarm and retention plug
3 Tap the retention plug until contact is made with the feeler gauge
4 Tighten the 6mm retention screws

Follower lateral adjustment:
1 Place a feeler gauge between the follower and rockerarm
2 Using a small press or vise squeeze the rockerarm until contact is made with the feeler gauge


Rockerarm specification: .010" -0 / + **
Follower specification: .012" -0 / + **

Note: Excessive radial movement is an indication of wear.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,
Dale

Dale,

Could you explain this further:
"3 Tap the retention plug until contact is made with the feeler gauge"

Are you speaking of the plug that goes in the side of the head, or should I say the rocker arm end plug? Does the plug not have a hole, instead of a slot in it, not allowing the plug to slide towards the rocker shaft?

After damaging that head I got from you, I decided to go with the original head. Had it cleaned up and reground. I had a problem with the rocker, so I bought a new one. What I found was excessive clearance (axial rocker arm movement of around the same 1/16"). So I went with my original (which has no said clearance). I wasn't able to adjust the end plug in the new one with play.. Did you machine something to make this happen? Did my brain stop working just now??

I am even more upset cause I bought that rocker "new", and it's not!!!! (one could see where the previous owner ground down the decomp. lever interface, so it could be sold new to an idiot, BUT IT WASN'T!!!)

Hi Luke,

Some lateral movement of the rockerarm plug is possible as the screw fit is often quite sloppy. If one is still not satisfied slotting the screw hole and / or placing shims on either side of the rockerarm will allow for a further reduction in end play.

Hope this helps.
Kind Regards,
Dale

Hi all

i have just got new rocker bearing, and when putting rocker cover back on set axial play for the intake rocker too tight(got a bit carried away after initially no result from first few taps!)

there is no play. is a gap needed for oil to circulate here???can i just leave it???

if i need to set a gap, how do i get it to loosen up without taking rocker cover off again??? bike is 2003 FE501E/

Have fun
Jeff

Hi JJW,
Via the inspection cover and using a suitable drift of soft material (ie Brass, Aluminum, etc.) gently tap the rockerarm in the opposite direction.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Dale