ES2 Valve Lifter

Hi Bill,

The groove in the valve lifter shaft is a locating/retaining groove which the reduced end of the small hexagon head grub screw locates into to stop any side movement of the shaft or in extreme cases the shaft falling out. You may be able to cut another groove in the shaft but you will be best to take the rocker box off to see how much "meat" there is. Oil leaks are usually due to excessive crankcase pressure as the standard breathers are too restrictive.

Regards, Richard.

As said, the factory groove is to locate the spigot on the retaining bolt. If you scribe a line around the shaft against the casting, then remove the shaft, you will see how much 'meat' there isleft tomachine a single 'O ring groove on the outer end of shaft.

Previously bill_butler wrote:

Thanks guys. I did'nt realise that the groove in the shaft was for the retaining screw. As regards excessive pressure in the rocker box, I have put a breather pipe into it but it still leaks a lot of oil. I will see about cutting another groove in the shaft for an o ring.

Regards

Bill

Hello Bill

I've been looking at the same issue with my 51 ES2. No doubt a little oil is exiting via the valve lifter shaft on my bike and I'm trying to deal with as many leaks as possible. It was suggested that if I flatten off the rocker cover just where it contacts the valve lifter lever so it is square to the side of the lever arm, the resulting gap would fit an o-ring beautifully. Just loosen the fixing bolt on the lever and shove it inboard a fraction just to close up the gap tightly on the O-ring. Alternatively a hand made felt or fiber washer should help too if the o-ring can't handle the heat.

I'll try it and let you know

Grant MacNeill, Toronto