Valve shims

[bwringer]

PLus 9 million dollars shipping.

Which Georgia do you live in?

[Nessism]

I use a small blade screwdriver to apply sideways pressure on the shim tool and keep it from slipping off the edge of the bucket. That along with dressing the tool as Brian says works well.

[mike10]

Me Too

I had a hard time with the shim tool. But once I caught on to the knack I have no problem now. At first I thought you had to hold the tool down and somehow get the shim out with the other hand. But then, like I should have done first. Went to Basscliff's site and saw the tool locks down on its own. I have a friend that made his own tool out of a flat piece of steel, just ground it into the right shape. I was looking in the spark plug hole on my 1980 GS1000 with the intake valve open and I can't see it. Do you just poke around with the zip tie till you find it? I might try this zip tie procedure before I put the cover back on. Just so I know.

[Greg O]

I was checking my valves today, and I love the zip tie method. It allows me to use both hands to remove the shim without fighting around the tool. I use a o ring pick in one hand to get under the shim, and a pair of tweezers in the other hand to grab the shim. Takes me about two minutes to set the zip tie, turn the cam, and pull the shim.

[1_v8_merc]

I like the zip tie method also.

It's always fun when someone walks by whilst doing this method. I always get the craziest looks. So now I have to Stop...and explain How and Why this method works.

(I got into several arguments with my dad and brother over this method.....I heard everything from "you don't know what the hell you are doing!"...to... "I've never heard of that method, so it CANT be safe, you're gonna break your engine!".)

I just said "yeah....that's great, I guess I'll break my engine then, go away!"

Then I fired it up later on, of course my brother was "waiting" for my failure so he could laugh at me......Bike fired right up and sounded better than ever.

I calmly said, "yeah you're right....sounds terrible, well cya later, gotta go get some gas for my Broken Engine!"

[Steve]

OK. My GS850 will be due for a valve check in about 500 miles, but it will be a bit longer before the salt is gone enough to ride it much... Let me know when you'll be over, and I'll stock up on Diet Pepsi.

I'll put that on my list of things to do when I get back from Missississippippi, just not sure when that might be.

Don't stock up just for me. I prefer tap water over diet anything.

I was looking in the spark plug hole on my 1980 GS1000 with the intake valve open and I can't see it.

How can you not see it??

I will have to get a picture for you this weekend, when I work on a 1000.

.

[mike10]

I'll put that on my list of things to do when I get back from Missississippippi, just not sure when that might be.

Don't stock up just for me. I prefer tap water over diet anything.




How can you not see it??

I will have to get a picture for you this weekend, when I work on a 1000.

.

Yes, I have the spark plugs out and #4 intake open. But all I could see is the top of the piston. It looked pretty clean.

[Steve]

OK, Mike, I will have to concede a bit on my astonishment.

I was working on a '78 1000 this past weekend. The valves are a bit hard to see, but they ARE there.
Picture quality is not what I wanted, but you can see #1 intake valve in the upper-right 'corner' of the plug hole.



On an 850, the smaller bore puts the valves where they can more-easily be seen through the spark plug hole.

.

[metalman]

Yes, I went with the zip tie method shortly after hearing the cost of a tool with $1's worth of material in it. Good tip on the electrical tape; thanks Steve and Gert:-)

I also have the tool and thought was proficient at using until Steve made the ziptie tool using heat shrink, before I could find mine he was finished and showing me how to use. My purchased tool is now retired. Thanks Steve.

[gert du prez]

What ?
Mr. Steve uses heatshrink now on the tool ?

Ok, will be updating my zip tie tool this evening...didn't know the tool got lifted up 'to the next level'...

[Steve]

What ?
Mr. Steve uses heatshrink now on the tool ?

Ok, will be updating my zip tie tool this evening...didn't know the tool got lifted up 'to the next level'...

Yeah, heatshrink doesn't peel off like electrical tape.


Keep in mind that this tool is disposable. It's only good for three or four adjustment sessions, then might break, so keep them cheap.

.

[gert du prez]

keep em cheap ?

I wouldn't know how to make these expensive

[Steve]

I wouldn't know how to make these expensive

How about Chrome zip-ties?

Only 95 cents a piece.

.

[cowboyup3371]

How about Chrome zip-ties?

Only 95 cents a piece.

.

Somebody would have to be pretty desperate for pats on the back to order those

[mike10]

OK, Mike, I will have to concede a bit on my astonishment.

I was working on a '78 1000 this past weekend. The valves are a bit hard to see, but they ARE there.
Picture quality is not what I wanted, but you can see #1 intake valve in the upper-right 'corner' of the plug hole.



On an 850, the smaller bore puts the valves where they can more-easily be seen through the spark plug hole.

.

Thanks for the picture. I ordered the wrong valve cover gasket from realgaskets so my bike is not back together yet.