Friday, March 21, 2014
How to Measure Harley Shocks
The simplest job you can do on a Harley is measure the shock absorbers. Depending on the year and model of your motorcycle, replacement shock absorbers can be found in lengths from about 11 inches to about 14 inches. Commonly, aftermarket shocks are sold in pairs that are described either as stock or as some measurement, up to 1 1/2 inches, "under" standard length. Standard length of the shocks on most recent Sportsters, for example, is 13.5 inches. So a 12.5-inch-long Sportster shock absorber would be sold as a "one under." Aftermarket manufacturers do not always agree with Harley-Davidson on how shocks should be measured; this is how Harley says to do it.
Instructions
- 1
Unload the motorcycle. Unload the saddlebags.
2Bounce the rear of the motorcycle up and down several times. Ensure the suspension is free and not binding.
3Measure the distance from the center of the upper shock bolt to the center of the lower shock bolt with a steel ruler.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
How to Measure a Camshaft Lift
A camshaft controls the height and the duration of lift for the valves in the heads of your engine. The distance a camshaft lifts the engine valves depends on the size of the camshaft lobes. As the camshaft turns, a pushrod moves along the lobe in an elliptical pattern. When the pushrod sits on the rounded section of the lobe, the valve sits in its closed position. As the pushrod moves over the tapered section of the lobe, the valve opens. Knowing the camshaft lift--lobe length--allows you to setup your engine for maximum performance.
Instructions
- 1
Spray carburetor cleaner on the camshaft lobes. Allow the cleaner to sit on the camshaft for five to 10 minutes. Wipe the oil residue and carburetor cleaner from the camshaft with a rag.
2Open the jaws of a Vernier caliper. Slide the open jaws over the round end of a camshaft lobe. Close the caliper jaws until each jaw sits tight to one side of the lobe. Write down the measurement.
3Open the jaws of the caliper. Place the bottom caliper jaws on the rounded end of the camshaft lobe. Push the top jaw tight to the top point of the lobe taper. Write down the measurement.
4Subtract the rounded lobe dimension from the taper dimension. The difference between the two measurements equals the lift of the camshaft.
Friday, November 22, 2013
How to Measure a Chevy Flex Plate
A flex plate connects to the crankshaft of an engine to the clutch of a manual transmission. For the flex plate to function correctly, it must be the correct diameter and match the bolt pattern on the crankshaft. Taking both measurements accurately will ensure the flex plate functions as designed without damaging the clutch, transmission or crankshaft.
Instructions
- 1
Lay the flex plate flat on a work table.
2Hook the end of a tape measure on the outside edge of the flex plate. Pull the tape measure across the face of the plate. Read the dimension where the point of a flex plate tooth intersects the tape measure. Write down the diameter of the plate.
3Hold the end of the tape measure on the center of a mounting hole located off the center of the flex plate. Pull the tape measure over a second center mounting hole. Read the number sitting in the center of the mounting hole. Write down the center hole measurement.