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Valve Shim question!

  • Thread starter Thread starter BigDaddyD
  • Start date Start date
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BigDaddyD

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I'm looking to check my valves and I'm wondering if I need to purchase the special Feeler Gauges or if just a regular set from the parts store will work?

Also, are the shim kits from Z1 worth it, (the shims come 2 per size) or is it better to find out that I need and order them individually?
Just trying to save myself from having to take everything apart twice if I check and then order.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!
D.
 
you can use the ones from the parts store just make sure they have the right sizes. also there is a shim club here on the board, just do a search on it.
 
No special feeler gauges are needed. I bought a set from Snao-On for less than $10, including S&H. It is useful to have gauges that have both metric and English units on them.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1122&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Stay away from Harbor Freight for feeler gauges. I bought a set of their, and found that some of the feelers were not the indicated thickness.

One of these forums has a thread for a "shim club", where people swap shims, at the price (mostly) of shipping and handling. Buying a set doesn't make a lot of sense unless you are opening a garage. You can also order shims from Z-1 or CRC-II for about $5 each.
 
Check local motorcycle salvage yards for shims, they will usually have a selection.
 
I use a set of Craftsman feeler gauges that go down to .002 inches, which is fine if you use Steve's spreadsheet. I just ordered 6 shims from Z1 because I needed them rapidly and wasn't sure the shim club could get me the parts in time. Ordered late Thursday, had them at my doorstep today by opting for the USPS 2-3 day Express service.

On a related note, the GS850G I have was always peppy, but after a proper valve adjustment (I don't think the previous owner _ever_ had the valve shims swapped) this thing just flies. 3k rpm to 9k rpm is a very brief event now. ;)
 
No special feeler gauges, but it will be easier if they are metric.

Not Imperial (inch) gauges with metric equivalents, real metric gauges.

Whichever one you use, it might be easier with my spreadsheet.
It will handle either inch or metric gauges and helps you with the math to figure out what shims you need.
Just send me an e-mail request and I will reply with my Excel spreadsheet as an attachment.

No need for getting a shim kit. As has already been mentioned, you won't need a bunch of shims unless you are going into business. It also does not make sense to buy some individual shims before starting the job, as you don't know what's in there now. They might be 2.80, they might be 2.60. :-k

When you get to actually measuring the clearances, pay attention to the postion of the cam lobes. The manuals are very specific on how to set them. Also note that in each lobe setting, you will measure BOTH valves on that side of that cam without moving anything else.

.
 
When I check the clearance, that means finding the feeler gauge size that slides between the cam-lobe and shim w/o resistance correct?
 
If you can get the feeler between lobe and shim, that's the clearance. If you can't, time to go a size smaller on the gauge.
 
fallous said:
If you can get the feeler between lobe and shim, that's the clearance. If you can't, time to go a size smaller on the gauge.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I thought, just figured I'd ask... thanks!
 
There's a metric set of feeler gauges that go down to .03mm -- I've seen them at several bike shops lately under the name "BikeMaster" for less than $10.

You can also find a metric set that goes down to .04mm at most auto parts stores for around $6. That will also work fine.

Please do NOT fart around with inch size gauges -- it's VERY easy to get confused and make a mistake.

Also, at least once on every valve check two or more of the thin gauges stick together and cause temporary confusion. Be aware of that...
 
FWIW, I made my own spreadsheet, and set it to do the inches to millimeters conversion.
 
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