Valve Shims

[Big Dog]

Where are you guys getting valve shims? Is there a kit or are you buying one shim at a time? How much is it?

Are you guys buying new gasket kit or are you using RTV sealant?

Jason

[mark]

I get my shims from a local bike shop for about $5.00 a piece. The Suzuki dealer is a lot more. Somebody else will chime in with websites that I don't know about. Do a search on valve shims and you'll find some places.

I would never use RTV sealant instead of a gasket, especially for you're valve cover gasket. It makes a mess to clean the next time you take it off, and unless you are very careful pieces of that stuff can break off and clog your oil passages. Some have different opinions of course. But IMHO, get the right gasket, torque it down correctly and you'll be fine.

[robinjo]

From my local Dealer, they cost $9 each, $5.50 if you turn in the old one, very annoying if your clearances are way to tight and have to go back several times. Luckally at least my Kat uses nut and bolt adjusters.

[IanFrancisco]

shims

Someone had a valve shim kit with tool for $25 on eBay. I almost grabbed it but thought of the lack of space in the garage already and passed. Shoulda grabbed it, daggammit!! We could have passed it around here for a while until the popular sizes were gone. I'll need to check my valves soon. Since the closest dealer is about 20 miles off, I won't be a happy camper if I have to make several trips and have my bike down for more than a day or two. I think bikebandit carries them. Still sounds like a pita. I guess the best thing is to do the math right the first time and get the right size the first time. Fat chance! I've never done bucket and shim valves before so I'm sure it'll be trial and error, with emphasis on the error half! Hopefully it will last for a while. It more common for the valve clearances to tighten up as the seat wears or for them to loosen? Mine sound like they're a little loose and rattly now after a 6k mile season.

[Sleepy]

got a few from Z1 Ent. - $4.60 or so each

http://www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=SPEN1A

[ptm]

There are a pile of various sizes available on eBay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUK...QQcmdZViewItem He has several other auctions with different sizes - look at his other items.

I like to have a selection available so I don't have to keep running back to the dealer.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I have the mechanics shim kit makes things easy, but I paid like $110 :P

[bwringer]

Cycle Recycle II sells 'em for $5 each:

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/

I just buy them as needed, and I usually get one or two extra in nearby sizes just in case. I've built up a nice little collection, and I haven't needed to go get more for a while (CRC2 is about 20 minutes from my office).

Their shims tend to measure .01 or .02 mm bigger than marked, but who knows -- they may have another batch by now.

[bwringer]

Oh, and for the valve cover gasket, do not pass go until you get a silicone Real Gasket.

http://www.realgaskets.com

The best $25 you'll ever spend, and the last valve cover gasket you'll ever need.

Just don't over torque them -- 15 inch pounds is barely past finger tight. And don't use solvent or parts cleaner to wash them between uses -- just dish soap and water.

[IanFrancisco]

Oh, and for the valve cover gasket, do not pass go until you get a silicone Real Gasket.

http://www.realgaskets.com

The best $25 you'll ever spend, and the last valve cover gasket you'll ever need.

Just don't over torque them -- 15 inch pounds is barely past finger tight. And don't use solvent or parts cleaner to wash them between uses -- just dish soap and water.

Too bad they don't have them for the GS450 motors...

[jpaul]

When I had my 78 750, I had one valve that had tightened up and needed a smaller shim. I had a buddy in a machine shop grind it down thinner than the smallest shim Suzuki made, and used it to determine what size I needed. Saved making trips back & forth to the dealer.

[bwringer]

Too bad they don't have them for the GS450 motors...

If you don't see a valve cover gasket for your bike, call 'em up and ask! Harold's a very friendly guy, and enjoys the thought of keeping all these old bikes on the road.

If they don't make one for your bike yet, ask about sending in a valve cover and/or an OEM gasket so they can make you one. That's how they got patterns for the available gaskets you see there.

For example, I think Adam's (AOD) blue 550 provided the pattern for the 550 valve cover gasket.

[flyingace]

My local (Seattle) Suzuki dealer charges me $2 for an exchange. Sometimes he just sez forget it.

I recently paid $100 for a spare engine which had 8 shims in it. This allows me to swap out a lot easier. Something to consider if you find a non-running spare engine. It has already paid for itself.

[duaneage]

Ebay auctions are a good way to get a variety but usually the one or two you need are not in the set.

Once you do this write down every shim size on each valve so the next time you might be able to plan or predict what sizes you will need. If you end up not needing them you could Re-Bay them again.