According to the manual when setting the tappets a camshaft lifter. tool 07gmg-kv00100 should be used. Anyone know what it is and how it works? All the tappets I have ever done in the past I just made sure the cam was away from the valve.
It could be a tool something like this for adjusting the valves. It could also be a cam holding tool. The one i have incorporates a 9mm 6 point hex socket, and a 3mm square drive in the middle it's for Honda Horizontal engines, like what's used in postie bikes and pit bikes, cost me $4 or $5 inc delivery from ebay china 8 years ago and is still working perfect. There are a few different sized tool's available like this, 10mm with 4mm square drive's, and some are the individual tools in different sizes, the seperate square drive was available in 4mm too. Honda still have the original one too for around $20.
Before buying that tool i used a 9mm spanner and a pair of pliers to adjust the valve clearance''s. The tool above fit's other bikes too, i reckon i also used it on a mates' old Suzuki SP370
I think the Honda tool is used to hold the rocker/lifter arm tight against the cam to get the correct clearance to the valve stem (but I could be wrong). I set mine with just a feeler gauge and it ran fine.
Thanks for the responses guys, I think you are right Murdo, its a rocker lifter not a camshaft lifter. To be honest it comes as no surprise that it's described wrongly, I am finding so many errors in my manual that I don't know whether i`m coming or going trying to figure out the value timing.
I havent had mine apart....yet... but I did find this excerpt that shows the tool in use.. not sure why you would lock it in position like that though. Unless it goes onto the end of the camshaft and allows you to position the cams exactly for setting.. and to lift the cam slightly to account for oil pressure when running. I think 99% of people will just do it the way Murdo describes