The pains of a desmoquattro valve adjustment (w/pics!), just updating...

[gage]

all but one have ridges you can feel

Yeah, now that I am at work with a much better monitor I can definately see the flaking!

+1 on checking the cams

[carlosbarrios]

I just did an adjustment on my 04 S4R (18k miles), and it really wasn't that big a deal.  Like said above, just labor intensive.  Biggest thing is just getting everything off and back on the bike (tank, throttle bodies and oil cooler), not the actual adjustment itself.  All rockers were fine on mine.

The only issue I had was the o-ring on the exhaust cam-shaft of the horizontal was leaking JUST A TAD after I was done.  You could see oil residue after a LONG ride.  No drops in the garage though.  I got new o-rings, and am using gasket sealer on the metal gaskets now.

[hiero]

... and am using gasket sealer on the metal gaskets now.

is that ok to do?

[Hedgehog]

The problem with gasket sealer is that sooner or later it has to come off; sooner in the case of Duck valve covers.  A better alternative is to use blue Hylomar, and only a very thin layer of that.  It never hardens, and can be cleaned up with your favorite solvent. 

If you choose to use RTV sealant, remember: only a paper thin coating to the gasket surfaces.  Anything more than that just winds up squeezing out into your engine.

[carlosbarrios]

I was hesitant about it not coming off, but apparently they have "permanent" and "semi-permanent" gasket sealant.  I used the semi stuff.  I had to remove the valve cover again 2 weeks (and about 100 miles) after using the sealant, and it came off pretty easily.  Not sure what the curing time/mileage would be before it is hard to come off.

I do have that blue hylomar,  might use it next time instead.  Thanks!

[jerryz]

I use a product called Wellseal for gasket surfaces it never hardens bur works like a dream.easy to clean off later.Just a smear is all it needs.

[hiero]

748 fixed and running just fine now