kawasaki shim vs suzi shims

[first timer]

hello, i know kawasaki shims are .5mm smaller then suzi shims but do they look any diffrent? am i going through my 1000 project and i have two shims in there that look diffrent then the rest, they have hard edges where all the other shims i have from both the motors i have all have shims that have the edges slightly tapered.

i wanted to know if they are just some sort of other brand then suzuki shims and are ok to use? i could try and measure these shims to see if they are 29.5 but i don't really trust my cheap caliper or my measureing.

-ryan

[Poot]

I also found that slight difference between different shims. The ones in my bike, were slightly tapered, and some at the shop were not. However, when i ordered a brand new Suzuki shim, the edges were not tapered. my engine is still running :roll:


Just be careful not to use the Yamaha shims, as they are the ones that are .5mm smaller. But, you can see the difference by eye when you hold them besides suzi shims.



POOT

[NICK!]

No, as far as I know Suzuki over bucket shims are all unto themselves and will not interchange with any other shims from any other brand of bike. Suzuki over bucket shims are blueish in color and have a beveled edge. If you have gray sharp edged shims in your motor I would see if they fit properly, or better yet I would just change them out for shims that you know are Suzuki.

[NICK!]

Poot, I may have been out of the loop for too long, did these shims come in a bag with a Suzuki part number on it?

[Poot]

I believe so (my memorys not too sharp>) I ordered it from the dealer, and it was one of the older guys, rather than the young twats at the counter.


I'm pretty sure it came in a really small envelope like thing, with part numbers on it. I will check when I get home.

However though, I am intrigued.........

[bwringer]

There are aftermarket shims that look different, but they fit and work perfectly.

The shims you can order for $5 each from Cycle Recycle II are aftermarket. I've never seen a new Suzuki shim, but the used ones I have are more polished looking and you can see the colors from the heat treating process. The aftermarket shims from CRC2 are a uniform matte gray.

I've used them for many thousands of miles and they still look new.

I've never noticed a difference in the relative sharpness of the edges, but who knows.

[NICK!]

OK, thanks. I've never seen an aftermarket shim and had no idea that they were being made. I've got so dang many shims for the 80's bikes I guess I never had to look anywhere but my tool box.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Years ago, I was given 2 Kawasaki shims by mistake. When I got home I noticed they were not just smaller diameter, but had the sharper edge like you say and were more gray colored and the number stamped on them was a different style.

[lukehan]

I was informed by my local bike shop that the only difference between those with beveled edges and those without is that the beveled are easier to get out of the buckets, the important difference is if they are 29 or 29.5 mm.

Luke

[Poot]

I'm almost positive that the Suzuki and Kawasaki shims are both 29.5 mm.


I know for a fact that yamaha's are 29.

[NICK!]

The Yamaha and Kaw 8 valve over bucket shims are interchangeable, its the Suzuki thats is by itself.