Special tools to do a valve job on a 1982 GS850??

[Jimmy Hoffa]

the shop I brought my bike to is telling me they might need "special tools" (which they don't have) to do a valve adjustment on the bike. Can anyone confirm what they might be talking about or if they're giving me a snow job because they don't want to work on it?

[bwringer]

Run, run away...

I highly recommend doing this yerdamself. It's very easy, and you'll save a ton of dough.

Basscliff should be along any minute now with a link to clear, simple instructions.


You need a valve shim tool to depress the buckets, about $20.

You'll also (probably) need a handy source for shims. They're about $5 each for aftermarket shims, around $10 - $12 for new Suzuki shims.

http://z1enterprises.com or http://crc2onlinecatalog.com can fulfill both needs.

You can get a metric feeler gauge set at just about any auto parts store for around $5.

[Jimmy Hoffa]

So the only "special tool" you need is a valve shim tool? Dirty @#(*@#-ers.

EDIT: I also found this sweet little how-to. Maybe I can bring this to them.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/valve_tool_zip_tie.pdf

The problem is that my score for "mechanical inclination" is like -10. Hell, if some intrepid GS Forum member in the Boston area wanted to help me out with this I'd trade gourmet catering/cooking skills! What do you say folks? Anyone know how to do this stuff and also wants to throw a gourmet dinner party for free?

[Ghostgs1]

And if you want to you can get into the shim club and save the cost of the shims. pm me if interested. Ray

[BrianMcDonald]

The only tools I needed for my bikes first valve adjustment were:

Basscliffs website.
6 nylon wire ties.
Feeler gauges.
A local Suzuki dealership with a service bay.

Total cost was about $4.99, and it was all the feelers.

[jimfj]

Did my 850 last night. 2 hours from start to finish. Two beers made me slower, but my mood was improved.

Take your time and you will find it is not something to shy away from. The reward is my idle, which I thought was good is now excellent.

Valves are definatly a must do for our bikes.

Good luck

[Steve]

The only 'special tool' I would suggest involves a shameless plug (again).

Toss an e-mail request in my direction (click on my name for the address info) and I will send you a copy of my Excel spreadsheet that will help you figure out what shims to use and will also help you keep track of them.

Personally, I have the 'special tool', but still prefer to use the zip-ties. I find that I have to turn the engine over a few more times to get the zip-tie in and out, but that takes less time than it does for me to keep trying to keep the 'special tool' in place.

.

[TheCafeKid]

The only 'special tool' I would suggest involves a shameless plug (again).

Toss an e-mail request in my direction (click on my name for the address info) and I will send you a copy of my Excel spreadsheet that will help you figure out what shims to use and will also help you keep track of them.

Personally, I have the 'special tool', but still prefer to use the zip-ties. I find that I have to turn the engine over a few more times to get the zip-tie in and out, but that takes less time than it does for me to keep trying to keep the 'special tool' in place.

.

I got a place for that special tool....The GARBAGE. $15 waste of tool box space. zip tie method is much easier and definately less frustrating. Not to mention it saves skin on the knuckles...

[tas850g]

Jimmy Hoffa,

Where do you live?

[Steve]

Jimmy Hoffa,

Where do you live?

He has updated his profile: Boston, MA

.

[tas850g]

where in the boston area (city, town) do you live? Many times they live outside of boston. I work 45mins west of Boston so it could be a short drive, could be even closer for me.

[Jimmy Hoffa]

Well as of tomorrow, I'll be in the South End, near Symphony. Moving into a nice condo in a much better part of town than I had been.

You interested in taking me up on my offer?

[tas850g]

I just did my '79 850g a week ago for the first time and it really is easy to do. I have feeler gauges and zip tie, which worked well. I just don't know when i can do this. I work mon-sat from 10am-9pmish with sundays off. Although this Sunday the mother-in-law is in town.

My wife and I just renovated our kitchen and she is a pretty good cook so we are always up for a gourmet dinner/lesson.

As long as you have the specs for clearances I'm sure we could do the rest.

[bwringer]

I got a place for that special tool....The GARBAGE. $15 waste of tool box space. zip tie method is much easier and definately less frustrating. Not to mention it saves skin on the knuckles...

I've never had any problems with mine. I must have gotten one of the GOOD ones!

Once in a while, it'll slip off the edge of a bucket, but that's pretty rare.

It just takes a couple of seconds to insert the tool and lever down, so I can't imagine the zip-tie method being more convenient or faster. I usually don't even bother to remove the spark plugs.

But seriously, I do wonder why you've had trouble with your shim tool. Maybe they're getting sloppy or something -- I've had mine for about 9 or 10 years.

[TheCafeKid]

I've never had any problems with mine. I must have gotten one of the GOOD ones!

Once in a while, it'll slip off the edge of a bucket, but that's pretty rare.

It just takes a couple of seconds to insert the tool and lever down, so I can't imagine the zip-tie method being more convenient or faster. I usually don't even bother to remove the spark plugs.

But seriously, I do wonder why you've had trouble with your shim tool. Maybe they're getting sloppy or something -- I've had mine for about 9 or 10 years.

Its mostly the inner cylinders. More times than not, the only way i get the tool to "grab" and actually depress the bucket leaves it actually in the way of getting the shim out. Also, when I dont get the damn thing to grab, I end up busting my knuckles on the cam cap or the idler sprocket tower..Maybe im going about it all wrong, but I have a short fuse so there have been more than one occasion where it got chucked across the room. The outer ones seem to be ok, tho I still find the ziptie method easier. I have to say I wonder if they've cheaped out a bit too, as Ive seen some that seem to have a better, thicker "handle" on them compared to mine...