Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly frail)
VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if I can
avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder with
string is something I have heard about but never tried.

--
Jeremy
Ireland
FJR1300ABS
GSX-R750K7
VF500F2F

On May 25, 12:44*pm, Jeremy Robinson <jeremy.robinsonNOS...@ul.ie>
wrote:
> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly frail)
> VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if I can
> avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder with
> string is something I have heard about but never tried.
How the hell would you compress the spring in the first place?

On Wed, 25 May 2011 04:46:44 -0700, Steve wrote:

> On May 25, 12:44*pm, Jeremy Robinson <jeremy.robinsonNOS...@ul.ie> wrote:
>> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly
>> frail) VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if
>> I can avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder
>> with string is something I have heard about but never tried.
> How the hell would you compress the spring in the first place?

An inverted magnetic collet pusher and a cable tie ?
:-)

--
Bruce Porter
XJR1300SP, XJ900F, Pegaso 650 Trail (x2) one red one grey
POTM#1(KoTL), WUSS#1 , YTC#1(bar), OSOS#2(KoTL) , DS#3 , IbW#18 ,Apostle#8
"The internet is a huge and diverse community and not every one is friendly"
http://www.ytc1.co.uk
There *is* an alternative! http://www.openoffice.org/

On Wed, 25 May 2011 11:44:48 GMT, Jeremy Robinson
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of
(reportedly frail)
> VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if I
can
> avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder
with
> string is something I have heard about but never tried.

There's lots of stuff about using compressed air in the cylinder to
hold the valve shut, but I don't know anybody who's actually done it

--
Mups

Steve wrote:
> On May 25, 12:44 pm, Jeremy Robinson <jeremy.robinsonNOS...@ul.ie>
> wrote:
>> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly frail)
>> VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if I can
>> avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder with
>> string is something I have heard about but never tried.
> How the hell would you compress the spring in the first place?

Depending on how accessible the valves are, it's not really all that difficult.
My question is, why do you want to check the valve springs' free length?

On 25/05/2011 12:44, Jeremy Robinson wrote:
> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly frail)
> VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads if I can
> avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the cylinder with
> string is something I have heard about but never tried.
>

I tried it once on a diesel engine (replacing the stem oil seals), but
failed. If you can be sure the piston's at TDC it will hold it up. I
think I managed *most* of the valves but I got it wrong on one cylinder
and a valve dropped down. I ended up taking the head off.

--
/Simon

Simon Wilson wrote:
> On 25/05/2011 12:44, Jeremy Robinson wrote:
>> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly
>> frail) VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads
>> if I can avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the
>> cylinder with string is something I have heard about but never tried.
>>
>
> I tried it once on a diesel engine (replacing the stem oil seals), but
> failed. If you can be sure the piston's at TDC it will hold it up. I
> think I managed *most* of the valves but I got it wrong on one
> cylinder and a valve dropped down. I ended up taking the head off.

It's straightforward to make sure each piston is a TDC and to lock the
crankshaft firmly in place. If it has a central spark plug I suggest you
could get a big syringe, fill the cylinder head with a really heavyweight
oil and screw an old plug back in, creating a nice hydraulic lock. Remove
the springs then suck most of the oil back out through the plug'ole and pump
the remainder out by turning it over quickly a few times.

--
Hog

Mark Olson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Steve wrote:
>> On May 25, 12:44 pm, Jeremy Robinson <jeremy.robinsonNOS...@ul.ie>
>> wrote:
>>> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly
>>> frail) VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads
>>> if I can avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the
>>> cylinder with string is something I have heard about but never
>>> tried.
>> How the hell would you compress the spring in the first place?
>
> Depending on how accessible the valves are, it's not really all that
> difficult. My question is, why do you want to check the valve springs'
> free length?
>
I assume you push as much string in as you can and then rotate to TDC.

Apparently (Vfrworld forum) the springs are underengineered and can cause
valve float which then leads to a hammer action on the valves which in turn
causes the valve to fatigue, fracture and drop into engine. I assume over
time if engine is thrashed, the valves take a permanent set which will make
them more prone to float.

--
Jeremy
Ireland
FJR1300ABS
GSX-R750K7

Jeremy Robinson wrote:
> Mark Olson <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
>> Steve wrote:
>>> On May 25, 12:44 pm, Jeremy Robinson <jeremy.robinsonNOS...@ul.ie>
>>> wrote:
>>>> Anyone ever managed this? I want to check free length of (reportedly
>>>> frail) VF500 valve springs but I don't want to remove cylinder heads
>>>> if I can avoid it. Using a magnetic collet catcher and filling the
>>>> cylinder with string is something I have heard about but never
>>>> tried.
>>> How the hell would you compress the spring in the first place?
>>
>> Depending on how accessible the valves are, it's not really all that
>> difficult. My question is, why do you want to check the valve springs'
>> free length?
>>
> I assume you push as much string in as you can and then rotate to TDC.
>
> Apparently (Vfrworld forum) the springs are underengineered and can cause
> valve float which then leads to a hammer action on the valves which in turn
> causes the valve to fatigue, fracture and drop into engine. I assume over
> time if engine is thrashed, the valves take a permanent set which will make
> them more prone to float.

How much time have you spent hammering the **** out of your VF500F? On a bike
used for racing you *might* have a problem, but in normal street riding I
really doubt you'll ever experience any problems with the valves.

If the top of valve stems aren't visibly deformed from this hammering action
I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

I owned an '84 VF500F for a couple of years until I gave it to my son, and I
am still responsible for the maintenance of anything more complex than oil
changes. Fun bike but even after rodding out the radiator it tends to run
hot.

"Hog." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:4ddcf30e$0$12159$(E-Mail Removed):

>
> It's straightforward to make sure each piston is a TDC and to lock the
> crankshaft firmly in place. If it has a central spark plug I suggest
> you could get a big syringe, fill the cylinder head with a really
> heavyweight oil and screw an old plug back in, creating a nice
> hydraulic lock. Remove the springs then suck most of the oil back out
> through the plug'ole and pump the remainder out by turning it over
> quickly a few times.
>
Could work. This assumes I have an engine in reasonable condition tho.I can
imagine the oil gradually leaking away.
The string idea is similar without the leakage issue.


--
Jeremy
Ireland
FJR1300ABS
GSX-R750K7
VF500F2F