shim markings

[goggles]

Doing valve adjustment.

Many of the shims do not have markings but one of the ones that did was marked 255A.

Does the A stand for something?

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Are you sure it's an "A" and not the lower half of an "X"? I've never seen an "A" marking, but there's a lot I haven't seen.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[dennismopar73]

hi ,i have 1 spare head and an extra 850 gs motor, the ones i seen all where either x or nothing after, 2.40 ,2.50, 2.55x, 2.60, 2.60x 2.65x
for some reason i can tell which ones where run on the exhaust side slight discolaration, compared to the intakes, just what i ve seen so far,
i do not know what under the spare motor as i havent tore it down yet,

[tas850g]

Don't know what an "A" stands for but an "X" stands for a slightly thicker shim size than what is written on the shim. For example, 255x is thicker than a 255 but not as thick as a 260.

[hikermikem]

Doing valve adjustment.

Many of the shims do not have markings but one of the ones that did was marked 255A.

Does the A stand for something?

As Cliff said, look close & it most likely is an "X". The coveted "X" shims are just a wee bit thicker than the number stamped on them, and a wee bit smaller than the next larger standard size shim. They're a "between size" shim.

Get a decent pair of vernier calipers (HF sells a decent digital one) and measure them to verify the actual thickness of them - you may find some with marking that are wrong...

[Ghostgs1]

Hi, Bad news is you probably have a 29mm shim, if it has an "A" after the size. Kawasaki uses the "A" to indicate a thicker shim, as Suzuki uses the "X" on 29.5mm shims. At least that is what I have seen in a couple instances. Good luck with it. Ray

[hikermikem]

Hi, Bad news is you probably have a 29mm shim, if it has an "A" after the size. Kawasaki uses the "A" to indicate a thicker shim, as Suzuki uses the "X" on 29.5mm shims. At least that is what I have seen in a couple instances. Good luck with it. Ray

I learn something new every day...

[hampshirehog]

I've never come across that either. In that case DO NOT put them back in your engine; they stand a chance of being spat out and wrecking the top end.

[tas850g]

I learn something new every day...

Me too! Nice to know.

[goggles]

replies appreciated

The shim has been there since I bought the bike about 3 years ago.

I will replace it as soon as I can figure out the ones that are not marked.

I have not been able to find my caliper since our recent move. I am going to make a serious effort to find it before I purchase another.

Thanks for the replies.

[Steve]

I have not been able to find my caliper since our recent move. I am going to make a serious effort to find it before I purchase another.

Don't bother looking. The QUICKEST way to find yours is to buy another one.

.

[goggles]

great minds.....



I think the same way about misplaced tools but wife tends to thinks differently.