GS Valve Shims need some advice ..

[kinetica01]

Hi Guys restoring my GS to it former glory and need a question answered !

if you are checking your spec on valves and the lowest spec rate is fine
but it goes over the recommended spec rate do you still need to change them.

Manual says 0.03 - 0.08

Must of my readings go up to0.03 - 0.15 ( is this okay as it is not going to burn a valve .

Any advice on this be great cheers

[tkent02]

Don't quite understand your question but if it's near .03mm I would change it out for the next thinner one. A lot of us use .10mm as the upper limit.

[2BRacing]

Hi Kinetica01

Welcome to this forum and glad you found this treasure trove of GS information! We like to see pictures of whatever bike you have!

Please excuse my asking firstly that you must ensure you are using the correct feeler gauges corresponding to the spec units (mm or thousands of an inch). The reason I say this is because valve clearances usually tend to get smaller, not larger! So a clearance of 0.15 mm is not often seen!

There is no problem in having clearance larger than spec, other than excessive noise. Since the shim thicknesses change by .05 mm to the next size, you could go one shim size thicker on your 0.15 valve and still end up with 0.10 which is only just over the upper spec (but actually used by many here). The valve train noise will be a lot less than at 0.15.

Are you following the factory procedure for checking the clearances (there are specific positions to turn the cams to before taking measurements)? Some other service manuals do not describe this procedure well enough, which can lead to inaccurate readings.

Please remember to NEVER turn the engine if a shim has been removed. There is a lot of reading matter on this forum relating to valve adjustments.

[tom203]

Hi Kinetica01


Are you following the factory procedure for checking the clearances (there are specific positions to turn the cams to before taking measurements)? Some other service manuals do not describe this procedure well enough, which can lead to inaccurate readings.

This is a good point- it's possible to get a false high reading if adjacent cam lobe is pushing up on camshaft.

[kinetica01]

Guys thanks so much Im so glad i have found some great info already .

1) I am using the mm feeler gauges which i have had for awhile , I was also shocked with the reading of 0.15 i think i will spec it to 0.10 like you guys said.

2) I do have one of the shims which is smaller which i will need to change as well ,but i will double check this all again using the factory procedure and see what results i get I have had trouble tracking down manual for GS 550m

Thanks again guys will let you know how i go, and i will learn how to post pics ..

[SVSooke]

Haven't posted in the GS owners section yet?Here's the link to BassCliff's sight. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/ and in there you will find http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/..._77-82_all.pdf and http://members.dslextreme.com/users/...t_pictures.pdf
I wish all sights had a BassCliff.

[byegge]

I wish all sights had a BassCliff.[/QUOTE]

^this

[Steve]

Actually, it would be better if all SITES had a BassCliff.

.

[tkent02]

All caps, Steve? Really?

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!!

Hi Mr. kinetica01,

Among the links below you will find "how to" guides for most of the maintenance tasks associated with the care and feeding of a 30 year old motorcycle. You'll also find a lot of other handy documentation if you keep looking. Here's your "mega-welcome".

If you are here you probably have a 30 year old motorcycle that needs about 20 years worth of maintenance. In the links below you'll find maintenance lists, documentation, wiring diagrams, "how to" guides, vendor links, tips, tricks, and a whole lot of GS goodness. This is your "mega-welcome". Let's get started.

Let me dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please Click Here For Your Mega-Welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

More links to helpful threads in the forum:
Help! Your Bike Won't Start
DON'T DO THESE THINGS
Help! Your Bike Won't Run Well
Oh God! Pods!


Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[SVSooke]

Actually, it would be better if all SITES had a BassCliff.

.

Opps
Stupid 10 character thing

[Steve]

Opps

Oops.

.

[Steve]

All caps, Steve? Really?

You would have preferred italics?

.

[tkent02]

Yes .