Elephant foot tappets

jseng1 · Mar 28, 2024

Here's some interesting photos from a customer who is going to Elephant foot tappets.

Check out the raised port floor (epoxy).

Grandad · Mar 28, 2024

Interesting photos, thanks.

NORTSTER1974 · Mar 28, 2024

Is that in addition to a lash cap on the valve stem? Just wondering. Not familiar with the elephant gig, although I can see how they work. Thanks.

seattle##gs · Mar 28, 2024

Have you tried these? I've often thought of using elephant's foot tappets but never found anything that didn't require a lot of work. These are just bolt-in. Where did they come from?

robs ss · Mar 28, 2024

Is the benefit in that they sit squarely on the valve end?

robs ss · Mar 28, 2024

jseng1 said:

Jim
As an aside - can you please explain the removed rear finning and the (apparent) barbed spigot in the 3rd photo?
Cheers

concours · Mar 28, 2024

jseng1 said:
Here's some interesting photos from a customer who is going to Elephant foot tappets.

Check out the raised port floor (epoxy).

I would think the valve rotation function would be lost.

B+Bogus · Mar 29, 2024

robs ss said:
Jim
As an aside - can you please explain the removed rear finning and the (apparent) barbed spigot in the 3rd photo?
Cheers

At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

Fast Eddie · Mar 29, 2024

B+Bogus said:
At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

And, because on some of his heads, the porting work breaks through into the old oil drain hole.

Fast Eddie · Mar 29, 2024

seattle##gs said:
Have you tried these? I've often thought of using elephant's foot tappets but never found anything that didn't require a lot of work. These are just bolt-in. Where did they come from?

My experience too.

They tend to need more space between the rocker arm and the valve stem tip. So some work is required. And some care to ensure that striking angles etc are all still good.

I used them on Triumphs as they have a poor rocker geometry and have side scrub issues etc.

But even on Triumphs I stopped using them. The faff to benefit ratio was not good enough for me.

robs ss · Mar 29, 2024

B+Bogus said:
At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

Ta for that!!

jseng1 · Mar 29, 2024

Here's what he did to the exkaust ports. Anchored with screw from bottom. He's adding 5mm to the pushrod length to correct the geometry..

jseng1 · Mar 29, 2024

Here's his drawing of the complete valve assembly.

Fast Eddie · Mar 30, 2024

Jim, are the elephants fetches using off the shelf items, if so can you share details ?

Schwany · Mar 30, 2024

Before and after HP numbers would be interesting with all the DIY port shape changes.

Back in the olden days there was the swivel foot tappet that did a similar job. They are probably still around and available somewhere. I tried them with the 2S cam and one of the feet busted, so tossed them. The elephant tappets shown in this post look stronger.

I put stellite caps on top of stellite KW valves and use a standard foot allen head tappet adjuster. Only a little witness mark on the cap, but zero wear after 11K miles. Without the caps the stellite valve tips get a divot in them. I know that is not supposed to happen to the stellite valve tips, but it does.

Tornado · Mar 30, 2024

I hear mushroom tappets can be used on Commando...anyone with opinions on them?

seattle##gs · Mar 30, 2024

I've used mushroom tappets on Nortons and Triumphs. They sound like a good idea so I use them. No facts to back it up. The elephant's foot style looks like it would push down evenly on the valve stem instead of dragging a steel pin across the top. I will guess that guide and valve stem wear might be improved.

CanukNortonNut · Mar 30, 2024

I use the Mushroom type in my Norton 850 with very good results. Very Happy with this type and many miles. zero wear on the valve tops.
Black Diamond valves by the way.

marinatlas · Mar 30, 2024

Mushroom Head Tappet/Rocker Adjusters (2005)

I have just had some work done on my 850 head (new exhaust valve & seats). There is some pitting on one of the rocker adjusters. Now is the time to replace them if I am going to ride this Australian summer. I see that you can get Mushroom Rocker Adjusters for Triumphs but I haven't found...

www.accessnorton.com

CanukNortonNut · Mar 30, 2024

Elephant foot ???? So what is the advantage?

Elephant foot tappets

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