Jets and shims

[Johnny K]

I have an 82' GS850GZ with about 22K on it. I am going to buy a new harness for it, check the valves because I finally bought a torque wrench and feeler guages. I change the shims sometime in April of 08' when I did the top-end and know that my valves are probably off in some way. I am not sure what is on my bike but the extra shims I have are (1)2.40, (2)2.45 and (1)2.50. I was just wondering what shims do you think I should buy ahead of time so that when I start changing them, I won't be waiting to buy more of that shim. You know? Also I have Stage III dyno-jet, K&N pods, and a 4-1 V&H and currently have 180 air jet, 155 mains and 47.5 pilot jets. I know this a broad question for both but for the jets, what would you guys recommend because months ago when I was riding, I had an issue with idleing and I think overall. I would like to change them out, but not sure where to start once all this snow melts. But I am going to put all new o-rings and seals via carbs and intake boots. So I guess just a range of numbers to buy so that I wont be waiting to buy a certain jet, but if I have one to re-place it right there. Hope this helps you guys and thanks again.

[flyingace]

The shims you have seem a little on the thin side for a bike with that mileage. My bike has almost 50K and I'm nowhere close to using shims as thin as yours.

I would probably just keep collecting up in thickness - 2.55, 2.6, 2.65. 2.70, 2.75, 2.8 etc.

[Steve]

It's hard to say what shims to buy without knowing what's already in your engine. As flyingace hinted, most shims in engines with fewer miles typically have thicker shims than what you have listed. Most probably start in the 2.70, 2.75, 2.80 range and then, with age, go down from there as clearances tighten up. Many of us are in the 2.50-2.60 range now, and just starting to dip into the 2.45s. Also, it would be just our luck to tell you to get two 2.55 shims only for you to find out that you need three of them. Your best bet will be to either accept the fact that you will be down for a while or to find a friendly shop nearby that has a selection of shims and will exchange with you, usually for a modest fee. When discussing a "modest fee" with them, keep in mind that new shims retail for about $10-12, but are available from Z1 for about $5.

Since you are about to do your valves again, please allow me to offer my spreadsheet to you. I have developed an Excel spreadsheet that will help you do the math to determine what shims you should have in there, and will also help keep track of what you have in there, so you can see what you might need to have on hand for the next adjustment. Send me an e-mail (click on my name for info on the address) with a request and I will send it in the reply.

In the "for what it's worth" department: I have sent that spreadsheet to 160 users on this forum.
Not everyone has responded to tell me what they think of it, but nobody has complained, either.

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[Johnny K]

Yeah I kinda guessed that, but that's okay. How about a "standard" jet sizes for my engine, pods, and V&H would you guys start out with. I know everyone has their different sizes, but I guess the general what everyone would recommend would give me a better idea. Thanks.

[Steve]

Take a look at the first thread in this forum. It is the carb "sticky" and shows a lot of information. You might have to scroll through several pages to find your bike, but it's there. I know the stock main jets on the 850 were 115, not sure about the pilots. For your pods and pipe, you might want about a 135 or so, but the 155s are definitely just too rich.

One tip that will make your search a little easier ... go into the User CP, look for the Edit Options link. Click on that, then scroll down, look for the area where you can choose how many posts show on a page, select the maximum of 40, then save your changes. This makes general surfing on the forum much easier in the long run.

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[Ghostgs1]

If you are interested in joining the shim club, here is the link. Ray

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=122394&highlight=shim+club

[nisom512]

Take a look at the first thread in this forum. It is the carb "sticky" and shows a lot of information. You might have to scroll through several pages to find your bike, but it's there. I know the stock main jets on the 850 were 115, not sure about the pilots. For your pods and pipe, you might want about a 135 or so, but the 155s are definitely just too rich.

One tip that will make your search a little easier ... go into the User CP, look for the Edit Options link. Click on that, then scroll down, look for the area where you can choose how many posts show on a page, select the maximum of 40, then save your changes. This makes general surfing on the forum much easier in the long run.

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if its worth anything to you steve your excel spread sheet was very helpful. and I was a bit confused at first but I had never really used excel up untill that point. But i did figure it out. and it works great. and I would recomend it to every one doing thier valves.

[chef1366]

He has 155 Dynojet mains in there which is closer to a Mikuni 145. This is about right because of the restricted main air jet that comes with the Dynojet kit.

[Steve]

if its worth anything to you steve your excel spread sheet was very helpful.

Thanks.

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[FunRide]

I was looking for that the other day.

It is odd that I did not find that post even after doing a search for shims on the GS Resources. I even looked on my parts bike and it had the same shims. No other option but to order online.

i just checked and did my valves this week.



Thanks for the link. Use it next time.