Valve spring tester

[MaximX]

Two winters ago I redid the top end of my bike.  Somehow I went wrong with the rebuild and am here again.  This time I am thinking of checking the valve spring compression as well.  Do any of you have a spring tension tester you would lend me?  I do not have the motor apart yet but will be taking it apart soon.  I like having lots of time to do this kind of work but must get at it, winter can go fast when it comes to stuff like this.  I have to figure out what parts I need and order them etc.  That may include a tension tool of some kind.

Mike

[Theo]

Mike,
Do you have inspection specs for your valve springs? Often the only specification is the spring's free-standing height, which would only require a vernier caliper or even just an appropriate ruler to measure. Also a good idea to check their standing squareness.
Ted

[fast1]

  You could probably rig a fish scale to work. As far as Japanese bikes go the only ones I've ever replaced were broken (rare) or more commonly the one that rolled under the ??! Usuaaly found the day after the new one arrives.

[MaximX]

Thanks for the input, no I had not considered the standing height measurement.  I have not looked into how to check these springs yet, was just considering that it may be a good thing to do.

[Dennis]

I am in the process of doing a top end job right now.  My manual give specs for both length (removed from head) and a compression strength.  The compression strength is measured with the valve spring fully compressed.  I have never done anything other than the length test.

Same with clutch springs.

Peace & Grease, Dennis