Does anyone have any advice on setting valve clearance on Vt 250 Hondas. I have done it numerous times but I have a question that some one may know the answer to. Honda sells a valve adjustment tool (camshaft lifter) to use when performing this task. I use a screw driver. My question is, why do you need to lift the cam shaft at all? When performing this task on Moto Guzzis all you do is slide the feeler gauge between tappet adjuster and valve with cylinder at top dead centre with no need to take up any camshaft free play, or is this lifter doing something else. I know that the moto guzzi is possibly slightly more agricultural than the jewel like Honda motor but I still don't get it.
I've never used the Honda 'tool' to do mine, always seems to be fine. I can only think of if the cam bearings were worn the tool may take up a bit of slack, but if that was the case then make the clearance a wee bit tighter.