Valve adjustment, 2005 sportsman 500

[BECKERRO]

I want to adjust the valves, the manual says to remove seat, front fender and gas tank. Is this necessary. Also, manual says to use a 10 mm offset adapter. Is this necessary. If so where do I get one.

[muddywaters]

Originally Posted by BECKERRO

I want to adjust the valves, the manual says to remove seat, front fender and gas tank. Is this necessary. Also, manual says to use a 10 mm offset adapter. Is this necessary. If so where do I get one.

I have an 05 SP500HO and Iv'e adjusted the valves numerous times, I did not remove fenders or gas tank but it would probably make it easier,I just removed seat and side panels. Iv'e probably adjusted them half a dozen times, always found that the exhuast side needed ajustment and the intakes were ok. Also valves don't get loose on these motors, they get tight because the valves recede into the head and the adjustment is lost. The motors like the valve adjustment, mine runs great. Good luck. And I used a wrench (10mm)to do it.

[Bruce!]

Welcome to the board!

[BECKERRO]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will try it without removing the front fender and gas tank.

[2quick]

How did it work out for you not taking off the tank and faring?

[Kevcules]

When i adjusted my valves for the first time , i asked the same question about the "offset adapter" to a Polaris mechanic. He looked at me funny and said just use a 10 mm wrench and a screwdriver. When I asked him about torque , he just said pull on a little. It looks like some mechanics aren't concerned with torque, maybe because it's not their machine , who knows.
I had to remove the gas tank and all all the front and side fenders and panels. I couldn't believe how much had to come off to get at the valve cover. I have an 01 sportsman 500 HO which must be a lot different than yours. (.006 for both intake and exaust valves)

Kevin

[500hoho]

Mechanics have such a thing as muscle memory when it comes to tightening things. They only really use it where its most important like head gaskets,fly wheel and main bearings and stuff of that nature. I myself am a mechanic and I use common since when I tighten things consider bolt size for example. A 10 mm bolt on say a valve cover will actually have an 8mm shank on it . You don't need a half inch ratchet and adapter to loosen that bolt a quarter inch ratchet will be plenty sufficient to tighten or loosen it. Come on people use common sense.

[polman500]

Most guys who mechanic a lot can FEEL how much torque they are applying in a given situation. Smaller bolts of around 6mm or less torque at approximately one pop of the wrist when choked up on a small wrench or ratchet. Larger size bolts of 8mm or above should be torqued to one or two pops of the elbow. For very large or critical fasteners such as head bolts, flywheel nuts or hub castle nuts you break out the handy dandy torque wrench that you keep meticulously calibrated and protected from damage to get the torque exact.

What say you 500HOHO?

[500hoho]

Originally Posted by polman500

Most guys who mechanic a lot can FEEL how much torque they are applying in a given situation. Smaller bolts of around 6mm or less torque at approximately one pop of the wrist when choked up on a small wrench or ratchet. Larger size bolts of 8mm or above should be torqued to one or two pops of the elbow. For very large or critical fasteners such as head bolts, flywheel nuts or hub castle nuts you break out the handy dandy torque wrench that you keep meticulously calibrated and protected from damage to get the torque exact.

What say you 500HOHO?

Word!!!!!!!

[Rooskey]

How often should you adjust the valves?