Valve cover coming off

I'll soon be replacing the valve cover on a 1980 750E. The bike has 20K miles and is new to me. The original cover was powder coated and I don't have the time/patience to strip it or blast it.

While I have the cover off, is there anything I should be looking for or check while I have it open? Any adjustments or anything else I should address while I have the chance?

Always take the time to check valve shim clearances at opportunities like this...you should also consider replacing the valve cover gasket at these opportunities and be prepared to swap shims, if need be.

You might need to replace those end cap seals, along w/the gasket. I couldn't do my shim adjustment w/o removing my cams, so at that point, you're close to the valve seals.

some good paint stripper will clean that right off with a carwash hose in no time.

Remove the cam chain tensioner first, and install it last.

Mcdroid wrote:

Always take the time to check valve shim clearances at opportunities like this...you should also consider replacing the valve cover gasket at these opportunities and be prepared to swap shims, if need be.

Considering the price of cover gaskets, you may want to buy some gasket material at pep Boys and use the old one for a pattern. The dealer wanted $80 for mine.

ronjones wrote:

You might need to replace those end cap seals, along w/the gasket.

Those things do like to leak. They aren't cheap to replace, I think mine were about $60 for a set. If they are not too bad, you can seal them by prying them out and cleaning them up and then setting them back in with good RTV sealant. I used the ultra high temp black stuff.

As mentioned earlier remove cam tensioner firdt and replace last. Think about it.

This is a really top tip. Remember to fit alloy washer to cam tensioner cap on assembly. I forgot and sheared tensioner body at base of thread.

Thanks for all the good info. I guess I have more work to do under the cover than I thought.