Question on Valve adjustment

[Guest]

So for the first time I checked my valves and they were all less than .0015" which is the thinnest feeler gauge I have. The tappets all turn easily so not sure how much less than .0015 but it greater than zero. My question if the clearance wears larger over time and they are less than the the max should I just leave them or should I go get a metric feeler gauge that has a .03mm and see if they are above the .03mm.

I also torqued my head for the first time. Probably less than a eighth of a turn on all nuts except the ones on the far sides. My manual says there are 3 6mm bolts as well but I could only see 2 and the pic in the manual only shows 2. I am assuming the 3 was a typo

[1980GS1000E]

The valve seats wear lessening the clearance over time. A lot of guys on the forum adjust for maximum clearance.

[Steve]

The clearances will always decrease, so many of us will shoot for maximum (or even just aa little more) clearance.

Inventory your shims. Once you know what all of them are, remove the thinnest one, insert a quarter. Move that thinnest shim around to the other valves, measure the clearance, determine what shim you will need. For help with the math, feel free to take advantage of the offer in my sig.

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[RGM]

Yea, I guess that makes more sense that the valve seat would wear faster than the shim. Thanks for the quarter tip. I also put the bike into 5th gear and turn the tire instead of turning the nut on the crank end. I already got your spreadsheet steve, thanks.

[Nessism]

After you take a shim inventory you might want to consider ordering up enough shims to move each valve two shim numbers. Hopefully at least a few of the shims can be recycled from one valve to the next. Having enough shims to move the shims two steps is always good just in case, and for your next adjustment down the road.

[canuckxxx]

So for the first time I checked my valves and they were all less than .0015" which is the thinnest feeler gauge I have. The tappets all turn easily so not sure how much less than .0015 but it greater than zero. My question if the clearance wears larger over time and they are less than the the max should I just leave them or should I go get a metric feeler gauge that has a .03mm and see if they are above the .03mm.

I also torqued my head for the first time. Probably less than a eighth of a turn on all nuts except the ones on the far sides. My manual says there are 3 6mm bolts as well but I could only see 2 and the pic in the manual only shows 2. I am assuming the 3 was a typo

i think the 3rd 6mm bolt is at the front of the engine.

[Ghostgs1]

What a great position to be in, no previous owner! If you are interested in joining the shim club, you can save some money, particularly in the long run. In your case the very, very, long run.

[RGM]

OK I found the 3rd 6mm bolt, it is upside down at the front middle. Wasn't looking for a bolt installed upside down.

My current shims are 3 2.75mm, 2 2.80, 1 2.85, 2 2.90. Looks like I will need 3 2.70, 3 2.75, 2 2.80 so have 1 2.85 and 2 2.90 if anyone wants to trade.

[Steve]

Contact the keeper of the GS Shim Club, Ghostgs1, he can tell you how the system works.

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[RGM]

Thanks to Ghostgs1 for the awesome service. I got all my shims all done and just need a bit more work to ride tomorrow.