Getting ready to do valve adjust...a few questions.

[martinwalsh]

Hello,

I'm planning on adjusting my valves on my 1983 GS450E in the next week or so...a few questions. Where can I get the tools I need to remove the shims? Should I get a garden variety of shims..or is there a certain size I will likely need on a bike with 10,000 miles (and probably no previous valve adjustments)? Is there anything else besides the valve cover gaskets and half moons that I should replace when I do this job?

I've never done a valve adjustment, but was quoted $250 from a local shop...I hope it's not too bad.

[doctorgonzo]

You can get the shims out with needle nose pliers and a screwdriver, no special tool needed. You can use the zip tie method to hold the valves open (see BassCliff's website). The bad news is the shims. You won't know what size you need til you check. See if that shop has them in stock and will sell them to you.

[maro]

Hopefully Steve will chime in here, and will provide you with a valve shim spreadsheet. It helps keep track of what shims you have and need. VERY nifty. I would do a search for valve spreadsheet.. for more info

also, long zip tie method is the way to go. Use a flashlight down the socket hole to see when the edge of the open valve..it will help you know where to stick the tie.....trust me.

also....make sure you DO NOT turn the cams over without a shim in a bucket!!

good luck.. z1 was the way to go when ordering shims!

[tkent02]

The hardest part is removing the old gasket, it's all pretty easy. IMHO the correct tool is much easier and safer than the zip ties, although both ways work. The tool is cheap and widely available. Pop the cover off and measure, see what sizes you need. If there is a local shop that has the shims it saves a lot of time, but Z1 has the best price.
Motorcycle salvage places will probably have a bucket of them for you to pick through.

[Nessism]

Before you do the zip tie method you should do a search to gain more information; several people report problems with broken ties - which wind up inside the cylinder. Not good. The proper tool is available for $15.

[robertbarr]

If the bike has 10k with no history of a valve adjustment, you have two valve shimming jobs ahead of you in the next 4,000 miles. Buy the tool.

[Greg O.]

I have not had any problem using the zip tie method, It actually worked very well. Z1 enterprise is the place to go for shims. http://z1enterprises.com/ They also have shim removal tools. It is pretty easy to do the job. Take a reading with feeler gauges to see if the clearance is in spec. Record your reading. Then remove the shim and on the bottom there should be the thickness of the shim. If the clearance is out of spec, just do the math to see what thickness of shim you need. I don't know what the spec is for the 450, but the 750 is .003mm to .008mm. The shims come in incriments of .005mm. Say you have one clearance that is less than .003mm, and the shim is 2.65mm thick, you then need a 2.60mm shim. Be sure to re-check the clearance after installing the new shim. Do not rotate the engine with a shim removed!
Bass Cliff's website has a much more detailed instruction on checking the valve clearance.

Like tkent02 said, the hardest part is getting the old gasket off.

Seems like $250 is a little high for a valve clearance check on a 2 cylinder Suzuki GS.

Greg O

[Nessism]

Excluding gasket removal, valve adjustment is a 20 min. job - assuming the engine is not crusted in dirt that should be cleaned before pulling the valve cover off.