Plunger style valve keeper removal/installation tool

Has anyone used a plunger style valve keeper removal/installation tool on a
DOHC motorcycle engine? Using the tool to remove the keepers is a snap
(easier than that actually) but putting them back in doesn't seem to work as
advertized. It seems to me that in order for the tool to work, the keepers
have to slide, ever so slightly over the end of the valve before using the
tool. On my bike, the spring sticks up so much that when the keepers are
inserted into the retainer, and the retainer is placed on top of the spring,
the keepers are above the top of the valve. No matter how much I push, the
keepers aren't going to 'open up' and fit around the valve stem head before
sliding along the valve to the retainer groove. Or am I not getting
something?

 

Hi Mark:

Thanks for your note. I have tried it numerous times without success, but
perhaps I wasn't giving it the old college try. I'm not sure I understand
the theory of how the plunger works. If the end of the valve stem hits the
clip(s) and pushes it(them) up, the tip on the plunger will retract somewhat
to take up the now displaced clip(s) - while still pushing on the clip(s)
laterally to force it(them) out to the inside of the retainer hole - is that
right?