Valve Shim Question, 1979 GS1000

[Guest]

Just checked my valve clearances tonight (1979 gs1000) and I don't seem to have any. The smallest gauge I have is a .03 and it won't fit between any of the shims/cam. I can rotate the buckets easily. I removed each shim as well and wrote down what was in each bucket.

Questions...

1: Is this unusual?
2: Should I just go down 1 size or 2? (The existing shims are either 2.80s or 2.75s
3: Also, would these tight tolerances account for idling issues and inability to accurately sync carbs? (I don't have any electrical issues, new intake manifolds, complete carb kits and I even took the carbs apart again and rechecked float height and made sure they were spotless)

Thanks,

Kevin

[SqDancerLynn1]

What that means is your valve clearance is down to the minimum. Not measurable with your gauge. I would go two sizes and put them on the loose side... ANd forget about adjustments for the next 10-20K miles

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Are you talking about .03mm (millimeters)? Or .003" (inches)?

Forgive me, but I'm easily confused.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Guy]

Everything on a Japanese bike is metric. Why do some Americans insist on measuring and quoting dimensions and clearances in inches???

[silverramsrt]

Everything on a Japanese bike is metric. Why do some Americans insist on measuring and quoting dimensions and clearances in inches???

Because "some Americans" do not have metric measuring equipment. It's an easy enough conversion between the two as long as the initial measuring units are KNOWN. Hence BassCliff's question.

[Guy]

If I lived in the USA and worked on my own Japanese stuff, the first thing I'd buy would be a set of metric guages, seeing as every measurement in the manual is metric.

I used to own a Buell, I didn't use metric tools or guages on that.

[Nessism]

If I lived in the USA and worked on my own Japanese stuff, the first thing I'd buy would be a set of metric guages, seeing as every measurement in the manual is metric.

I used to own a Buell, I didn't use metric tools or guages on that.

Can you chew gum and walk at the same time?

I use english unit feeler gauges and get by just fine. I'd rather spend money on beer as opposed to cluttering up the tool box with redundant feeler gauges.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Indeed, Mr. Nessim makes a valid point. I just wanted to make sure which unit of measurement we we talking about. That's all.

I use metric because sometimes I *can't* walk and chew gim at the same time.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Guy]

Can you chew gum and walk at the same time?

I use english unit feeler gauges and get by just fine. I'd rather spend money on beer as opposed to cluttering up the tool box with redundant feeler gauges.

Yes I can, thank you Nessism. Can you tie your own shoe laces yet?
Ok, I've dragged this off topic enough (though I think the first reply by SqDanceLynn answered the OP's question), but I'll just say this:

I don't get it. You guys pride yourselves in running and maintaining these fine old Japanese machines, and many of you do it to a high standard. But why are some of you so reluctant to embrace the metric standard they're built to? And to pompously declare metric feeler gauges as redundant?? If you can't grasp the metric system, then fine, just say so. But what are you implying by saying it's redundant, that it's somehow inferior to the good ol' American system of measurement? Are metric spanners and sockets redundant too? You don't have them cluttering up your tool box either?

I'm not necessarily saying that one system is any better than the other, just pointing out politely that each has it's place. I'm happy to use whatever's relevent to the machine I'm working on. Good luck with those shoe laces, I'm sure you'll get there.

[Nessism]

Yes I can, thank you Nessism. Can you tie your own shoe laces yet?
Ok, I've dragged this off topic enough (though I think the first reply by SqDanceLynn answered the OP's question), but I'll just say this:

I don't get it. You guys pride yourselves in running and maintaining these fine old Japanese machines, and many of you do it to a high standard. But why are some of you so reluctant to embrace the metric standard they're built to? And to pompously declare metric feeler gauges as redundant?? If you can't grasp the metric system, then fine, just say so. But what are you implying by saying it's redundant, that it's somehow inferior to the good ol' American system of measurement? Are metric spanners and sockets redundant too? You don't have them cluttering up your tool box either?

I'm not necessarily saying that one system is any better than the other, just pointing out politely that each has it's place. I'm happy to use whatever's relevent to the machine I'm working on. Good luck with those shoe laces, I'm sure you'll get there.

Okay, I'll try to slow down and explain so you can (hopefully) understand. Please let me know if you get lost somewhere and I'll explain further.

You can purchase a high quality Snap-On branded set of feeler gauges for $6.55 http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog These tools are higher quality than the commonly available Chinese made junk that is so common these days. High Quality Measuring Tools = Happiness

A standard set of feeler gauges, whether Snap-On or otherwise, comes with .0015", .002", .003", and .004" blades.

.0015" = .0381 mm
.004" = .1016 mm

As long as your GS valves are measuring in this range you are good to go.

If the .0015" feeler doesn't pass I change the shim. This size feeler gauge is ultra thin (think tin foil) and easy to bend/kink/damage, so I don't mess around with thinner even though Suzuki spec allows down to .03 mm. I don't like my valves running on the ragged edge of minimal clearance since the valves tighten over time, and this is just too close for comfort.

When I remove the shim I measure it will a pair of micrometers (not calipers). BTW, my micrometer is english measurement. When selecting a new replacement shim I measure all the shim pieces I have in the box that are the correct number and look for in between sizes. Many times you can find just the right thickness shim to get you to exactly the clearance dimension you desire.

Running the clearance up to .004" (.10 mm) is fine, but I insist on snug drag on the feeler gauge. If the gauge passes easily, I look for a thicker shim.

Bottom line is that there are a few fine nuances that should be considered when doing a proper valve adjustment, and having metric feeler gauges does not increase the quality of the work you perform.

[Guy]

Okay, I'll try to slow down and explain so you can (hopefully) understand. Please let me know if you get lost somewhere and I'll explain further.

I don't have any problem understanding the comparisons you've made. Indeed you make a good case for a specific set of measurements. You, on the other hand, have chosen to fully ignore what it is I'm saying and seem to have your head stuck firmly in the sand on this.

From Google:

Fact: The United States is the only industrialized country in the world that doesn't use the metric system as its predominant system of weights and measures. Today only the USA, Liberia and Myanmar still use the old English Imperial system. The rest of the world is metric.


What can I say? For what it's worth, I simplify my GS valve clearances with a simple method. I use just two blades: 0.10mm and 0.05mm. If I can slip in the 0.05mm but not the 0.10mm, I'm happy that I'm in the right range. if I can't slip in the 0.05mm, I need to go down one size shim.

My head hurts! I'm spitting out that chewing gum now. It'd choke me after all that's been said!

[7981GS]

Guy, whatever you do, don't even think of suggesting using a click-type torque wrench on these bikes either. LOL.
Your eyes will bleed after you read the responses.

Daniel

[Guy]

Guy, whatever you do, don't even think of suggesting using a click-type torque wrench on these bikes either. LOL.
Your eyes will bleed after you read the responses.

Daniel

Lol, I have one of them an' all!

[Nessism]

Guy, whatever you do, don't even think of suggesting using a click-type torque wrench on these bikes either. LOL.
Your eyes will bleed after you read the responses.

Daniel

Daniel,

I have clicker type torque wrenches, in addition to other types. In fact, I'll bet you a beer that I have more clicker type torque wrenches than you do. Clicker type is not bad, nor the best. They are decent middle of the road torque wrenches that serve most people well.

As far as metric vs. english units, who cares. I already have a high quality set of english feeler gauges and that's all that anyone needs to adjust the valves on a GS. Suggesting otherwise is silly.

[Meweeble]

Everything on a Japanese bike is metric. Why do some Americans insist on measuring and quoting dimensions and clearances in inches???

I'm not American I'm Canadian and we use the metric system. so it's .03mm