Valve adjustment temperature

[98valk]

The manual states engine temp to be less than 95F. 
What is the common temp being used? 70F, 80F, 90F?  I personally would never do them below 50F.
So just wondering is there a perfect temp to use and if anybody noticed a difference adjusting them say between 90F and 70F.
thanks.

[RP#62]

Crap, that means I'll have to wait until the end of October

-RP

[mello dude]

No matter what engine car/bike I'm working on, valve adjustment is always done dead cold.....meaning engine has not been running.

[John Schmidt]

Less than 95 degrees? No problem here in the midwest tundra, aka...Wisconsin. A few days ago it got up to low 80's and the guys at the gym were bellowing like a newly weaned calf about all the heat. They told me "you don't really know what heat is I guess." Didn't tell them but yes I do...having lived in Florida for 53 years. It's a "wet" heat! 

If I hadn't met Nancey six months ago I'd be back there already, they can have this state with it's weather, taligating drivers, etc.  You can tell those that passed driver's ed class...they can tailgate well within ten feet.

[98valk]

No matter what engine car/bike I'm working on, valve adjustment is always done dead cold.....meaning engine has not been running.

but at what ambient temperature?  40F the engine will be 40F, 80f the engine will be 80F, etc.
how much could that affect the adjustment and its effect on performance, wear, etc.

[WintrSol]

Usually, those requirements are assumed to be for indoor average temperatures, or about 70F.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Usually, those requirements are assumed to be for indoor average temperatures, or about 70F.

Spring or fall days are when I do mine. Temps are right around that -  and it's either getting one ready for spring or catching up on a few things prior to winterizing.

[Chrisj CMA]

I guess I never thought about the ambient temp when doing the valves because I park inside where it's always 78. But really as long as you haven't run the bike the day of valve adjustment you should be alright

[Led]

I guess I never thought about the ambient temp when doing the valves because I park inside where it's always 78. But really as long as you haven't run the bike the day of valve adjustment you should be alright

I agree.  Air temperature has nothing to do with it (except maybe for -20 degrees). If the valve metallurgy was THAT "sensitive".......the valve lash would NEVER be right!

They just don't want you to adjust the valves right after a 150 mile ride, and they are still cherry red hot......just do them with the engine cold.  Good to go........

[98valk]

I guess I never thought about the ambient temp when doing the valves because I park inside where it's always 78. But really as long as you haven't run the bike the day of valve adjustment you should be alright

I agree.  Air temperature has nothing to do with it (except maybe for -20 degrees). If the valve metallurgy was THAT "sensitive".......the valve lash would NEVER be right!

They just don't want you to adjust the valves right after a 150 mile ride, and they are still cherry red hot......just do them with the engine cold.  Good to go........

"just do them with the engine cold."

this is the question what is too cold? manual states 95F and less.  doing some reading  many state its the head temperature they are speaking of.  some honda car engines are listed as 100F and less.
to just state ""do them cold" as many state really means nothing.

so far I have found many sites are stating 70-80F is the best temp to use.

[WintrSol]

Temperature does affect valve lash; setting the valves at 'room temperature', give or take, ensures the changes from the metals expanding at different rates don't reduce it to zero (or less) and possibly damage the valves. The heads can reach well above 250F, a lot higher around the valves, so 20 degrees isn't that much change, but set them at 40F or lower may risk the lash changing too much at high temperatures.