Got a carb syncing tool. This is what it told me.

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

hopefully, you've kept track of the bolts, or put them in a cardboard "map". 2 of the bolts are a different length , 45mm. The other 14 are 40mm.

I did, I drew a rough outline of the valve cover and poked holes, then placed the screws in their corresponding hole. I'd post a picture, but the website keeps saying "upload failed."

[Grimly]

You're getting there, though.
Valve clearances need done first, and after the ignition is sorted out too (that's done, isn't it?) and the carbs are cleaned properly - that's the time to set up the gauges.
I have a set of dial gauges like those and they've been rock-solid reliable for 30 years. Every time I bring them out I check them for zero (pop off the front lens - it just pulls up with the shroud that fits over the body of the gauge) and slightly twist the zero-ing screw. Zero-ing gauges used to be a common thing, and still is in many applications. Not everything is digital, even now.
Next step is to get some aquarium air tubing and make up a harness with three aquarium T-pieces, four damping clamps/ valves (again aquarium) and connect all the gauges to a common vacuum port - the one for the vacuum petcock, for example, and start the engine up, leaving it at a steady fast idle - about 2000 rpm. If any of the gauges read more than slightly different from the others, use the zeroing screw to bring that one into sync.
That's the gauges synced with each other.

Now you can dispense with the zero-ing harness and connect them to their individual ports on the carbs and your'e good to go - adjust away as you find.

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

Here's what I got when I checked the valve shims:

Intake #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Intake #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

Exhaust #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Exhaust #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

As you can see, there is no clearance, even for my thinnest blade.
Should I start by going 5 down? I can swap a couple of them around and see if that helps.

[Burque73]

Here's what I got when I checked the valve shims:

Intake #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Intake #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

Exhaust #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Exhaust #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

As you can see, there is no clearance, even for my thinnest blade.
Should I start by going 5 down? I can swap a couple of them around and see if that helps.

It's a bit odd to have all of them so tight. Maybe post a pic how you positioned the cams when you checked.

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

As the manual suggests: One lobe pointing forward, the other pointing up.
I don't think this bike was maintained very well. The gasket is probably the original one, or at least pretty old. It tore in a couple places as I was removing the cover, and it looks... melted?
Here's a picture I took before I started messing with the shims: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...513_132053.jpg

[Rob S.]

Here's a picture I took before I started messing with the shims: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...513_132053.jpg

Pic didn't come through.

I'd post a picture, but the website keeps saying "upload failed."

I've been getting that message a lot the past few days.

[Burque73]

As the manual suggests: One lobe pointing forward, the other pointing up.
I don't think this bike was maintained very well. The gasket is probably the original one, or at least pretty old. It tore in a couple places as I was removing the cover, and it looks... melted?
Here's a picture I took before I started messing with the shims: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...513_132053.jpg

Sounds right.

Scraping that old gasket may be a chore too if it's been neglected.

I'll offer a suggestion. If it were my bike, I'd pull that 2.55 from either exhaust #1 or #4 and replace it with a coin. A quarter is a bit smaller than a shim in diameter, but works just to keep the cam lobe from scraping the edge of the bucket. Silver/ copper is way softer than the lobe and won't hurt it. Probably won't even notice a mark on the coin.

Once you have the shim in hand and the quarter in it's place, use that shim to get measurements where the larger shims are, swapping them out and recording measurements one at a time. You can probably swap a couple and be in spec, but doing this shuffle will hopefully minimize the number of shims you need to order, which will definitely include a 2.45 maybe even a 2.4 to finish getting measurements.

[cowboyup3371]

Here's what I got when I checked the valve shims:

Intake #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.70

Intake #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Intake #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #1
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

Exhaust #2
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.65

Exhaust #3
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.60X

Exhaust #4
Clearance: ----
Shim: 2.55

As you can see, there is no clearance, even for my thinnest blade.
Should I start by going 5 down? I can swap a couple of them around and see if that helps.

As the manual suggests: One lobe pointing forward, the other pointing up.
I don't think this bike was maintained very well. The gasket is probably the original one, or at least pretty old. It tore in a couple places as I was removing the cover, and it looks... melted?
Here's a picture I took before I started messing with the shims: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachmen...513_132053.jpg

Are you able to do a video call such as FaceTime?

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

Are you able to do a video call such as FaceTime?

There are no apps for it on Google Play. All I have is a smartphone and a desktop computer on the second floor.
Do you have Discord?

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

What size shims would you recommend?

[greg78gs750]

you won't know sizes until you can get some measurements. Use the small shim and quarters and swap it around to get in the ballpark. dunno if it's been said, but DO NOT ROTATE THE ENGINE WITH THE SHIMS OUT.

Also, SURELY there is a gs'er in the vicinity who can help out??

Also, scrape that old gasket C A R E F U L L Y.....there are lots of tricks on the forum, but they all amount to "take your time and do it carefully"

[cowboyup3371]

DO NOT CHANGE A SINGLE SHIM YET

I too am used to calling anything a coke (or soda), but in the case of smartphones there really are distinctions. I’m willing to help work with you on a video call but I have an Apple iPhone as my smartphone; you sound as though you have an Android. If you would send me a PM with your phone number, I’ll be willing to try downloading Duo (supposedly works with androids and iPhones) to maybe work with you this evening after work. (Roughly 7pm eastern so I can knock out some personal things first).

Let’s review how you are doing the valve check and then we’ll go from there. Also, please scrape off that goop you smothered around your intake boots. That should not be there at all and will only help to cause other problems.

[cowboyup3371]

Also, did you ever send Steve an email for his valve adjustment spreadsheet?

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

DO NOT CHANGE A SINGLE SHIM YET

I too am used to calling anything a coke (or soda), but in the case of smartphones there really are distinctions. I’m willing to help work with you on a video call but I have an Apple iPhone as my smartphone; you sound as though you have an Android. If you would send me a PM with your phone number, I’ll be willing to try downloading Duo (supposedly works with androids and iPhones) to maybe work with you this evening after work. (Roughly 7pm eastern so I can knock out some personal things first).

Let’s review how you are doing the valve check and then we’ll go from there. Also, please scrape off that goop you smothered around your intake boots. That should not be there at all and will only help to cause other problems.

I may not be awake tonight, unsure. I woke up at 1am after waking up randomly over the course of 3 hours, and have been awake since.
I do have Duo on my phone.

I could scrape the stuff off, but I'm worried that will just bring back the air leaks. There's one screw hole that I can't use a normal screw in, as the remains of the old screw are stuck in there, and no amount of Liquid Wrench, screw extractors, or left-handed bits got it out, so I drilled into it with a self-drilling screw. I don't think I can remove it anymore, or it may not bite.

[Big T]

I know you've been sent this before https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...bie%20mistakes

Read it

Now - did you ever download a factory manual for your bike?
Did you look at the tutorial for 8V adjustment on the BikeCliff site?

And why on earth are you messing with your carbs? Did you forget that someone stepped up and cleaned them correctly and set them up?


Stop going on the internet and watching people who may/may not be doing it correctly. All the info you need is right here and on BikeCliff