GS throwing a cam shim

[Anonymous]

Guess you had to be there and know the mechanic but when the first GS 750 hit our local dealership in town back in 1977 the mechanic doing the 500 mile service and long known for tuning up two strokes by hold the throttle wide open , well out of habit or whatever reason took this shim on top new design GS he had no experience with and whacked the throttle a couple times then pinned it wide open . It only took 3-5 seconds and POW , it spit a shim through the valve cover .

The new owner was up front in the showroom . He got a new bike outa that deal

Again , had to be there but before that he would and did pin those X6 Hustlers and other two stokes at WOT for like 30 seconds . It was wild times there

[SqDancerLynn1]

did the mechanic get fired!!!!!

[sharpy]

Shims

Its rare on street bikes but does happen.

[bwringer]

Shop manual legend has it that you should never use a magnet to fish out loosened shims.

Supposedly the extra-hard metal can be easily magnetized. This can lead to metallic debris collecting on your shim. The shim could even be lifted up and dislodged by the cam, leading to expensive damage.

Personally, I use a big pair of tweezers. You can't be too safe...

[earlfor]

Anyone fool enough to use a magnet on shims should have their tools taken away and be sent to prison.

Earl :-)

Shop manual legend has it that you should never use a magnet to fish out loosened shims.

Supposedly the extra-hard metal can be easily magnetized. This can lead to metallic debris collecting on your shim. The shim could even be lifted up and dislodged by the cam, leading to expensive damage.

Personally, I use a big pair of tweezers. You can't be too safe...