Bike blows smoke when I upshift

[Flathead]

Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act...learn it, love it.

His exhaust valves were out.  Now they're not.  Problem solved. 

Pretty good article from Sportrider..... http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0404_magnuson_moss_warranty_act/viewall.html

[gnuse]

Pretty good article from Sportrider..... http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0404_magnuson_moss_warranty_act/viewall.html

Nice link, thanks. It does a good job of explaining a complicated piece of legislation that has been around for some time and yet is so misunderstood.

[Spanky]

Got the pretty back last weekend from the mechanic. The valves needed adjusted and that took care of it. Adam checked the valve guides and all the other mechanic things you may check given the bike was smoking when I up-shifted. All it needed was the valves put back in spec. Runs great now and no smoke when I shift. The throttle body sync seems to have returned her to top form. Acceleration is smooth and she pulls very nice. Thanks again for the replies, I am glad it just needed a valve adjustment.

[XHarleyRider]

Nice link, thanks. It does a good job of explaining a complicated piece of legislation that has been around for some time and yet is so misunderstood.

 

Good stuff....used it when my first new bike was in the shop for over a month with under 1000 miles.  Sued and was given a new bike.  The whole process took 9 long months and a three ring binder of notes that I took and presented at discovery.  The case settled.  I would have rather had a proper running bike but.....

[B.D.F.]

That is really strange- I cannot think of any way that the incorrect valve lash could cause an oil leak into the combustion chamber. Further curiosity, how did someone check the valve guides without pulling the head?

Glad it worked out for you and all, just that that is an unusual explanation and fix.

Brian

Got the pretty back last weekend from the mechanic. The valves needed adjusted and that took care of it. Adam checked the valve guides and all the other mechanic things you may check given the bike was smoking when I up-shifted. All it needed was the valves put back in spec. Runs great now and no smoke when I shift. The throttle body sync seems to have returned her to top form. Acceleration is smooth and she pulls very nice. Thanks again for the replies, I am glad it just needed a valve adjustment.

[VirginiaJim]

Got me, too, Brian.  I've never heard of that causing a smoking condition...cigars yes, valves no.  But what the hay...

[Spanky]

Then he probably didn't check the valve guides - I may have misunderstood what I was told. I don't even pretend to be a mechanic.  The bike smoked when I up-shifted before the service, now it doesn't. Good enough for me.

[B.D.F.]

Yep, if it works for you it is hard to fault. Again, glad to hear you are a happy customer.

Brian

Then he probably didn't check the valve guides - I may have misunderstood what I was told. I don't even pretend to be a mechanic.  The bike smoked when I up-shifted before the service, now it doesn't. Good enough for me.

[Spanky]

Thanks for your help with this Brian. I wanted to know what to ask the mechanic when I took the bike in. I don't understand what would cause this, so I am not the best source of what the mechanic did to fix it. As far as I understand, he adjusted 3 intake and 5 exhaust valves, and checked maybe the valve seats? - if the guides required the head to be removed. I am not sure, but I am confident Adam did a nice job on the maintenance and the bike runs very good. Would it be possible for the oil to get into the exhaust if the valve stayed open too long before it shut entirely? Not sure what else it could have been.

[lather]

How much did they charge ya?