I had one of the valve spring compressors like the picture below. The two different length arms created problems partly due to lack of space for access to the intakes, combined with the width of one of the arms. I finally broke down and bought a second spring compressor and switched arms around so I now have two...one has matching length long arms and the other matching length short. Once done, I was finally able to remove the springs on #1, should have done the switch a couple weeks ago but life tends to happen, more so as you age. So, went to install the first new valve stem seal by lightly tapping it into place with an installation tool. Suddenly, I realized the upper half of the seal had separated from the base....probably a good thing I went to church this morning.
The bottom section hadn't yet dropped into the "valley" or notch a fraction of an inch below the top of the guide and the top of the guide caused the top half to separate/tear. I assume that's where it's supposed to sit(in the notch) in order to prevent the seal from moving up/down with the valve. Frankly, I didn't pay attention to where the OEM seal was situated before removing it so I may have to remove another valve spring just to be certain. I used the damaged new seal to test it and by pressing it a bit further down it did drop into the notch that exists a slight bit below the top crown were the valve stem exits. I ordered these off Ebay, a viton based product and supposedly were for the 1200 and a number of other Honda motors.
I guess my question is this; aren't the seals supposed to slip all the way down into the "valley" or notched area slightly below the top wider section of the guide? If I need to I guess I could just order some OEM seals, that gets a bit pricey for only eight at $9.56 ea.
Pictures are worth at least a dime, so this is the "notch" on the valve guide to which I'm referring. I've slipped a new seal on only as far as just covering the top "crown" of the valve guide, then manually moved the valve stem up/down to see what would happen. As suspected, on the second movement up which would simulate the valve closing, the seal came up with it. Tried it a couple more times, same action of the seal and when pressing the valve back in(open) the seal doesn't reseat itself. So again my question is....shouldn't the valve stem seals sit in that smaller diameter area below the top of the guide, the area I'm pointing to in the second picture?
Valve spring compressor before modifying the arms to be of equal length.
Note the groove below the upper "crown" of the valve guide.
Better picture of the groove where I think the seal should sit upon installation. Experimenting with the old seal, when pressed down past that upper "crown" to the groove below it, the seal actually snaps into place which makes me think that's where the new seal should sit. Understand....the only reason I'm even doing the seals is because of some smoking upon start-up, more so if the bike has been sitting for a while. I'd just as soon the prospective buyer be able to breathe while checking out the bike.
