I have a question on this process. I adjusted mine to zero lash, waited a few mins then adjusted with 3 turns, then waited 25 mins, but the push rod was still tight. So, I loosened it till the push rod could be turned with my fingers (not loose but snug). Now my question is, may this be an indication that I have collapsed lifters? Keep in mind I did do this with the bike several days cold.
This comes from a post by Raywood follow these instructions and you should be good to go.
Bring Cam to Base circle for the tappets you wish to adjust. You can do this by rotating the motor over till you have dual movement of the pushrods for the other cylinder. One should go up the other should go down, either way at the same time. The cylinder that you’re adjusting, the tappets should be on base circle of the cam, lowest point in the tappet block for the tappets. Adjust the push rods as such.
Zero lash the pushrod, no up and down movement, tight against rocker arm, and tight against tappet/lifter.
Mark the push rod with a marker or paint stick. Extend the push rod four full turns or 24 flats (if using S&S Push Rods, S&S push rods have a thread pitch of 1/32”)
Allow the tappet/lifter to bleed down 20/30 minutes, longer is better.
If after 20/30 minutes you can spin the push rod with your fingers you do not have limited travel tappets. Locks the push rod down, you are now done adjusting. Move on to the next. Repeat process for the other cylinder and push rods.
If you cannot spin the push rod, you have S&S Limited Travel tappets. From this point you want to shorten the push rod. While shortening you will feel drag on the push rod, this is the valve spring tension. While shortening, you will feel the valve spring release the push rod; at this point you should notice it being easier to spin the push rod with your wrench. From this point you want to shorten one full turn, 6 flats. At this point you should be able to spin with your fingers. Lock down the push rod and repeat for the rear cylinder. Do not try to make short cuts in this process. Proper bleeding down of the tappets is critical for healthy running motors. Damage to motor will happen not following these instructions.
Carlos