vernier clearances

a) Looking at the workshop manual, it seems that you are checking on the wrong side (at least if you were running the standard set up rather than your vernier one):

From the workshop manual:

SECTION F13

CHECKING FRONT SHIMMING

1 Slide the left side gaiter back to give access to theshims and plastic washer.

2 Push or lever the engine to the right until all slackin the Isolastic mounting has been taken up. Holding the engine unit in this position, use feeler gauges to measure the clearance between the plastic washer and bright plated collar. (See Fig. F12).

3 The ideal clearance is 0?010 in. (.25 mm). Make a note of the actual clearance.

SECTION F14

CHECKING REAR SHIMMING

1 Slide the right side gaiter back to give access tothe shims and plastic washer.

2 Push the rear wheel to the left firmly and measurethe clearance between the plastic washer and bright plated collar.

3 The ideal clearance is 0?010 in. (.25 mm).

b) It's not clear why you would have different readings top and bottom; if you had any shims I would wonder if one or more were bent.

c) What clearance you run is a matter of taste, within the range between zero and the 0.010 in. mentioned in the manual (which in my experience youdefinitely do not want to exceed). Here "zero" means "just able to turn shim carrier/vernier assembly by hand".

"Taste" means the rev. range where you are willingly to accept the most vibration, and this will be a function of the balance factor built into the engine and the state of the Isolastic mountings.

I had the vernier units on my 850 (retrofitted as it was an earlier one) and from memory the adjustment is on the opposite side to the shim version.

What is vital is to make sure the isolastics aren't under tension when you check, which they will be if the bike is on the centre stand as that supports it via the engine plates. It should have the weight on the wheels but held vertical by chocks under the footrests.

I tried to keep mine at around .008" but TBH anywhere between .005" and .010" seemed fine.

Ian's post is a useful reminder of the wisdom of having a factory workshop manual for one's actual model (at least you know how the factory thought a job should be done, admittedly not necessarily the same thing as the best way to do it).

On clearances, one advantage of vernier mountings in theory is that adjustment can be done at the side of the road. I know that this is in fact possible with the Hemmings-type conversion, but is it also true with the MkIII type?

Yes the MK3 can be done on the side of the road as long as you have the tools with you including the pin to go in the holes to turn the adjuster.

Previously tom_steele wrote:

Hi everyone wanna check the clearanceson my commando's vernier iso's

measured it between the plastic disk thing on the side nearest to me (timing side) and it was at about 0.005 thou at the top and 0.004 thou at the bottom

not measured the rear

got quite a lot of vibes on the bike similar to my 650ss

not sure what brand of isolastics are on the bike

what clearances is everyone running

tom.

the book says 10.tho clearance for isolastics.i know of some people run a less clearance if racing.

to adjust,,,, slacken the through bolt pull back the rubber boot. tighten the adjuster then take a reading in line with one of the holes then back off the until the next hole lines up with your mark.you will find that is about 10 tho.then re.torque the bolt as per the manual.fitting of a norvil head steady or similar is a must in my opinion...And as for people suggesting its difficult to adjust by the road.when would you ever want to.i only adjust mine annually.

if you need finer adjustment your name must be dave croxford.

Previously tom_steele wrote:

Hi everyone wanna check the clearanceson my commando's vernier iso's

measured it between the plastic disk thing on the side nearest to me (timing side) and it was at about 0.005 thou at the top and 0.004 thou at the bottom

not measured the rear

got quite a lot of vibes on the bike similar to my 650ss

not sure what brand of isolastics are on the bike

what clearances is everyone running

tom.

the book says 10.tho clearance for isolastics.i know of some people run a less clearance if racing.

to adjust,,,, slacken the through bolt pull back the rubber boot. tighten the adjuster then take a reading in line with one of the holes then back off the until the next hole lines up with your mark.you will find that is about 10 tho.then re.torque the bolt as per the manual.fitting of a norvil head steady or similar is a must in my opinion...And as for people suggesting its difficult to adjust by the road.when would you ever want to.i only adjust mine annually.

if you need finer adjustment your name must be dave croxford.