Abstract: A valve actuating mechanism is proposed for an internal combustion engine in which at least one intake valve E is actuatable optionally by a low-speed cam 2 or a high-speed cam. The first rocker lever 5 operates in conjunction with the low-speed cam 2 and the valve E, while the second rocker lever 8,9 operates in conjunction with the high-speed cam 7 and can be connected to the first rocker lever by means of a coupling bolt 12 mounted in a bore 10 of the first rocker lever 5 which is aligned with a bore 11 in the second rocker lever 8, 9 when both rocker levers are riding on the base circles of their cams. The coupling bolt 12 is moved into the coupling position against the force of a spring 17. The spring 17 rests on one side on the end of a pipe 20 connected to the coupling bolt 12 and on the other side on an insert 18 introduced into the bore 10, the pipe 20 extending through this insert 18.