Comments on: From The Flickr Pool: A Big BMW Valve Job http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:49:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Old Donn http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105934 Old Donn Fri, 17 Aug 2007 01:22:16 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105934 Compared to a car or truck, working on a bike is a piece of cake. Everything's right in front of you, nothing in the way. That said, a decent set of tools and your bike's shop manual are a must. A motorcycle jack makes life easier too. Like Lee, I found out a long time ago a trip to the local Harley shop can require a second mortgage. The only job I've farmed out lately was new valve seats. Compared to a car or truck, working on a bike is a piece of cake. Everything’s right in front of you, nothing in the way. That said, a decent set of tools and your bike’s shop manual are a must. A motorcycle jack makes life easier too. Like Lee, I found out a long time ago a trip to the local Harley shop can require a second mortgage. The only job I’ve farmed out lately was new valve seats.

]]> By: Lee http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105427 Lee Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:23:53 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105427 James, I'll probably be getting a fan anyway, since it gets so hot in my garage in the summer, but that insecticide dispenser sounds like something that would really help me out. Do you know if it will damage vehicle paint? That would be my only concern before installing one in the garage. Thanks! James,
I’ll probably be getting a fan anyway, since it gets so hot in my garage in the summer, but that insecticide dispenser sounds like something that would really help me out. Do you know if it will damage vehicle paint? That would be my only concern before installing one in the garage.

Thanks!

]]> By: JamesBrauer66 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105155 JamesBrauer66 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:21:13 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105155 For keeping mosquitoes out of the garage I like a Purge III insecticide dispenser. It doesn't actually keep them out, they just don't live very long. For keeping mosquitoes out of the garage I like a Purge III insecticide dispenser. It doesn’t actually keep them out, they just don’t live very long.

]]> By: Blind http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105101 Blind Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:19:31 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105101 I've got to take my duc in for maintainence soon. Hoping i can do it at my friend's shop. I am not looking forward to the valve job that it requires. I’ve got to take my duc in for maintainence soon. Hoping i can do it at my friend’s shop. I am not looking forward to the valve job that it requires.

]]> By: Lee (lmarr28) http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105076 Lee (lmarr28) Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:04:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/14/from-the-flickr-pool-a-big-bmw-valve-job/#comment-105076 Thanks! I just bought the bike used a few weeks ago and it was in need of a regular checkup (35,000 miles). The dealership wanted $450 in labor and $150 in parts to do everything... The Toolmonger in me decided that there was no way I was going to pay that much for something that I could do on my own. So, after a trip to Harbor Freight for some T-handle hex wrenches and a quick stop at the grocery store for some frosty beverages, I sat down and knocked out the valve adjustment in a couple of hours (taking my time, since this was the first time I had attempted it on a bike). I've got a few other things that need to be done (brake & clutch fluid flush, transmission & rear end fluid change, alternator belt replacement, etc.) but I'll be sure and take more pics as I tackle them! Two things I learned while doing this: (1) I need a shop fan to keep the mosquitoes out of my garage while I'm working. (2) I need a torque wrench that measures lower than the one I have (my Craftsman starts at 16.5 nm and a lot of the stuff on the BMW calls for 5 to 8 nm). Do you guys have one that you would like for me to "test out" for you? :) Thanks! I just bought the bike used a few weeks ago and it was in need of a regular checkup (35,000 miles). The dealership wanted $450 in labor and $150 in parts to do everything… The Toolmonger in me decided that there was no way I was going to pay that much for something that I could do on my own. So, after a trip to Harbor Freight for some T-handle hex wrenches and a quick stop at the grocery store for some frosty beverages, I sat down and knocked out the valve adjustment in a couple of hours (taking my time, since this was the first time I had attempted it on a bike).
I’ve got a few other things that need to be done (brake & clutch fluid flush, transmission & rear end fluid change, alternator belt replacement, etc.) but I’ll be sure and take more pics as I tackle them!

Two things I learned while doing this:
(1) I need a shop fan to keep the mosquitoes out of my garage while I’m working.
(2) I need a torque wrench that measures lower than the one I have (my Craftsman starts at 16.5 nm and a lot of the stuff on the BMW calls for 5 to 8 nm). Do you guys have one that you would like for me to “test out” for you? :)

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