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1989 XT600 (kick start) timing question 1989 XT600 (kick start) timing question
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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 7 Oct 2013
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1989 XT600 (kick start) timing question
I am getting a clicking sound from top end. Motor is new to me, its had a recent top end rebuild (piston, chain and clean up) before I bought it.
I checked the chain and it is on the 1st wear mark (new).
loosened and tighten decompress cable and no change to clicking.

Timing mark question.
When my rocker arms have a little movement they are at the mark with the little circle and line through it. Which is not TDC
When I turn the flywheel till the "T" the rockers have no movement but the piston is TDC (checked also with screw driver).
I am wondering if the clicking comes from the valves being maladjusted?
The book says the the rockers should have a little play at TDC

The bike runs strong now and idles smoothly, just worried about the top end noise.

Am I thinking this through correctly?
Thanks
Greg
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Old 7 Oct 2013
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I know nothing of your particular bike, but on any four stroke there are in effect TWO TDC positions 360 degrees apart. On either compression stroke when both valves should be closed so tappet clearance can usually be detected. The other is at the end of the exhaust stroke, and by then the inlet valve may well be open as well. you will not have any play there. just make sure you are on the compression stroke when you are looking for tappet clearances.

Hope that helps.
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  #3  
Old 8 Oct 2013
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These bikes do have some top end noise. It is important to verify your valve clearances are correct. Also, verify you have .5mm free play in your decompression cable. If there is NO play, you may be hearing noise from that. There is an in-line adjuster to set that free play.

For valve clearances you need the manual for your bike. Correct position for setting valves is TDC when both intake and exhaust valves are not depressed. You set the flywheel at the TDC mark, engine cold and adjust for the proper clearance. My 86 setting are: intake .0028-.0047 in. 3 thousandths nominal and exhaust .0047-.0067 in or 5 thousandths nominal.

After setting, recheck after tightening the lock nut. When tightening the lock nut, hold the adjuster still so it will not move. Feeler gauge should have a slight drag feel and not sloppy loose for a correct setting. You set both sets of valves at the same time, same timing mark TDC setting.

Hope this helps. Too loose or too tight is bad so check it.
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'84 XT600 is now bored to 2nd oversize and new OEM pistons and rings installed. No more smoking.
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  #4  
Old 8 Oct 2013
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Noise is top end, sounds like valves
flywheel has 3 marks: circle with line, H and T
TDC is at the "T", i can see this is the max height of piston
Both inlet and outlet were tight at T position. Adjusted them to spec with engine cold.
Same ticking

Decompress decmp cable only loosens the one exhaust valve correct? Would it be louder then perhaps on that side? Sounded the same to my ear on both sides.
Also decomp setting: if using my hand and pulling toward back of bike i should set for 5mm before the pressure begins? So this would be very immediate?
Thanks
Greg
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  #5  
Old 8 Oct 2013
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Decompression cable is 1/2 mm not 5 mm free play. This is just to make sure the decompression lever in the rocker box is NOT engaged in the running condition. If it were too tight, the rocker arm of one exhaust valve, the right side, would be tapping against it making noise.

So you have set the valves? Did you have a slight drag on the feeler gauge? If it is too loose, will rattle.

If your decompression cable is too loose, you will not get the full effect of the decompression and starting will be harder to accomplish. Set correctly, the correct procedure is to depress kicker until it clicks, allow kicker to come to the top the kick fully and hard. Learning the starting procedure for your bike is the key. They are all a bit different.
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'84 XT600 is now bored to 2nd oversize and new OEM pistons and rings installed. No more smoking.
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  #6  
Old 8 Oct 2013
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Intake adjusted to .08 slight drag feeler gauge
exhaust adjusted to .14 slight drag feeler gauge
Both these measurements are in spec
sounded a little worse i think

Can I easily disconnect the decom cable to see if that helps?
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cam chain, tdc, timing, top end noise, valves

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