Here shim, here shimey shimey

[Redman]

Have cam cover off, have the valve shim tool (for pressing down the valve/bucket), can use tool to press down the valve/bucket, can spin the shim around . . . . but, Duh, Ahh, how does one get the shim out of the bucket?

Its too hot and humid (for Michigan anyway) to get frustrated with this stuff, so thought I would just share my ignorance and ask.

[Jethro]

Shim? We 1100e's don't need no stinkin' shim...

Sorry, just being silly. Back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[rustybronco]

turn the bucket around until you find the notch in the bucket then depress the bucket with the tool, lift shim with a small screw driver remove with needle nose pliers don't use a magnetic anything to remove and try not to scratch shim.
remember numbers down (for the next guy)

[rustybronco]

Shim? We 1100e's don't need no stinkin' shim...

PUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! (as tongue wags)

[Redman]

Oh, I see, turn bucket around before depressing. I was depressing the bucket then trying to turn the shim around. Well, I'll try that. Thanks.

[tconroy]

tweezers work good to remove them also.Man I need to do that too, its been a while.

[83'GK]

Hemostats work really well for me, keeps me from dropping the dang thing after I get it out from under the cam.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Don't remind me !!! I have at least one shim that will need changed

[jeff.saunders]

Changing the shims on these bikes is a breeze - they are the easiest of any of the bikes I've worked on... ...and be thankful you do not have underbucket shims (like on some Kawasaki 650 and 750 bikes) where you have to remove the cams to change the shims...

[Hoomgar]

I am as unconventional as they come but here we go.

I tried the tweezers, tried the hemos and the needle nosers. Tried the tiny tip screw drivers. All work, all were gludgy to use and risk scratching surfaces.

My solution, paper towel, bottle of rubbing alcohol (which I always have around anyway for a million other uses) and a roll of any kind of tape. I used masking tape.

Wet the paper towel with the alcohol (don't drink it, crack open a cold one if temptation gets too strong ) wipe a small area of the shim to be removed to remove the oil from that spot and touch it with a piece of the tape and lift it out.

Very simple, very quick, very safe. IMHO it is the best method.

[Nessism]

Nothing wrong with using a pick-up magnet to get that bugger out. The small amount of magnitisem is not going to transfer enough to matter so no worry.

[ptm]

Nothing wrong with using a pick-up magnet to get that bugger out. The small amount of magnitisem is not going to transfer enough to matter so no worry.

Several manuals and other sources I've seen warn strongly against using a magnet. The shims are hardened which makes them very easy to magnetize. If the shim gets magnetized it may stick to the cam and come out of the bucket with disastrous consequences for the engine. I have no direct personal experience with that, but since the other methods are simple enough and work well, why risk it...

[bwringer]

My "secret" is just a tiny screwdriver with a sharp blade. It does take a bit of oomph to pop the shim out against the surface tension of the oil. Then retrieve the shim with tweezers.

And yes, please do not use a magnet.