valve adjustments on Ironheads

How often does everyone adjust their valves? Mine seem to be clattering a little louder recently so I am assuming I should take care of it. The motor is an 81 1000cc that was rebuilt about a year and a half ago. Ive had 1 good solid summer of riding it and a lot of riding so far this year. I know they have been adjusted 1 or 2 times since the rebuild, but I'm not sure.

I've had a few friends tell me to find the youtube videos on how to do it, but to be honest I'm a little scared and will probably take it to my local guy and have him help me out and show me what needs to be done.

Just looking for some opinions.

do not pay a shop to do a valve adjustment for you
it is very very easy to do
watch the youtube ironhead valve adjustment video over and over a few times
then just follow along with the video its very very easy to do

and only requires some basic hand tools

I check mjne every oil change just to be safe. To be honest if you can't do your own pushrod adjustments, you shouldn't be riding an ironhead. Well that or it will get expensive quickly.

It wouldnt be expensive for me, he will help me out for free. Like I said, I think once I have someone walk me through it the first time I would feel more confident trying it. I guess I should just devote some time and watch the YouTube videos.

Originally Posted by currysurr

It wouldnt be expensive for me, he will help me out for free. Like I said, I think once I have someone walk me through it the first time I would feel more confident trying it. I guess I should just devote some time and watch the YouTube videos.

Yeah the youtube video literally walks you through it also
its a very simple task to do
takes about 10 mins once you get the hang of it

I'm real picky about how much compression I have on my kicker so I check them about every 2-3 weeks. It's stupid simple and quick to do.

I check mine every 6 weeks or so (or sooner if the valvetrain gets noisier). My 73 tends to need it pretty often. +1 on watching the YouTube video. The guy explains everything great and doesn't leave anything out. I say give it a shot, you will be glad you did!

For all the lazy people (myself included), you can find the video here

this last weekend I adjusted and check my pushrods 4-5 times (only to find out my issue was timing ha ha)! its simple as hell, and that video everyone is talking about is just as good as any walk threw a mechanic will give you.

I just finished. Wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be. I figure eventually I'll get over my paranoia of working on my motor. Thanks for the support.

Lol, most things on these motors is pretty simple stuff! I've had to replace lifters and it's just as easy as adjusting pushrods. My timing went totally out on the road one day, and I had to sit there and re time it on some old dirt road, I got it started and roared away. I didn't have a cell phone so I can't be too scared of it.