valve shims

[fatnfast]

Are the shims used in 70's Kawasakis usable in the GS range? I have ordered some expensive suzuki ones, but it could be worthwhile stockpiling a few spares. The only ones in the UK that are on fleabay are for kwaks.
thanks in advance.

[Steve]

No, do NOT use Kawasaki shims in a GS.

Although the thickness is in the same range, the diameter of the GS shims is 29.5 mm, the Kaw shims are only 29.0 mm.

Does not seem like much of a problem until you miss one shift and float a valve.
With no pressure from the cam holding the shim in place, it will find its own new geographical coordinates.

.

[hampshirehog]

No, don't use them - they're 0.5mm less in diameter and will at best rattle around and at worst fall out.

I've found a few in GSs over the years and always pop some red paint on them to avoid using them by accident.

Have you tried your local dealer for shims? I got quite a bunch for free a few years ago as they were chucking them out. Otherwise Z1 is the cheapest place to buy them, even with the postage.

[fatnfast]

Thanks for that. Just had a look at Z1 Ents site and can now see they are different. My local dealer is Robinsons, they stock all the sizes but at £10 each. Perhaps we need a UK shim club!