Valve shim ?

[headsbikesmopars]

Do all the 8 valve motors use the same size of shims ? Will they physically interchange with the different size engines, 550, 750 1000 ?? Thanks for any insight you can lend.

Terry

[mike_of_bbg]

Yes, 29.5mm for all of the 8V motors.

[headsbikesmopars]

Thank you Mike, just what I wanted to know. My GS550 is my first shim over bucket 8 valve engine. All of my other GS's are 16 valve engines with valve adjusters, which I find MUCH easier.

Terry

[TheCafeKid]

Terry

Once you get it down, the shim overs are no faster, and IMO you dont have to fiddle around like you do with the adjusters making sure they're JUST RIGHT. In the end, Id say they take about the same amount of time.

[mike_of_bbg]

Please note that its 29.5mm, NOT the more plentiful and cheaper 29mm (those are Kawasaki I think). Z1 Enterprises sells 29.5mm shims for about $5 each, and you can search for "shim club" on the forums - you may be able to exchange your largest shims for little to no cost.

Yeah, it's really not that bad. The worst part about shims is waiting for your new ones You might want to borrow a metric micrometer if you don't have one because invariably some of the printed sizes get worn off. Once you have all of your current shims cataloged and your gaps measured, you can have the shims you'll likely need ordered before your next adjustment.

Although some people seem to prefer the zip-tie method (and not just to be cheap), I think that $12 motion pro shim tool is a very worthwhile investment. No worries about turning the cam without a shim in the bucket (something you do NOT want to do!), and most of the shims change in just a few seconds.

Best of luck to ya, get that 550 running and we'll race

Oh, and I have a couple of 2.72s and a 2.76 (measured) if you're lucky enough to still need shims that thick!

[Steve]

You still have a copy of the spreadsheet I sent you five months ago?

If not, let me know, I'll send you another one.

.

[TheCafeKid]

Please note that its 29.5mm, NOT the more plentiful and cheaper 29mm (those are Kawasaki I think). Z1 Enterprises sells 29.5mm shims for about $5 each, and you can search for "shim club" on the forums - you may be able to exchange your largest shims for little to no cost.

Yeah, it's really not that bad. The worst part about shims is waiting for your new ones You might want to borrow a metric micrometer if you don't have one because invariably some of the printed sizes get worn off. Once you have all of your current shims cataloged and your gaps measured, you can have the shims you'll likely need ordered before your next adjustment.

Although some people seem to prefer the zip-tie method (and not just to be cheap), I think that $12 motion pro shim tool is a very worthwhile investment. No worries about turning the cam without a shim in the bucket (something you do NOT want to do!), and most of the shims change in just a few seconds.

Best of luck to ya, get that 550 running and we'll race

Mike, Terry here is a builder...I dont think you want to race him..if he's been playing with that head, on that bike, chances are you wont see him till he stops

[mike_of_bbg]

'twas just a joke. I have three kids - I race at the speed limit!

[Steve]

I race at the speed limit!

Which one?

My personal favorite is:

"3.0 * 10+8. It's not just a good idea, IT'S THE LAW!"

.

[TheCafeKid]

Which one?

My personal favorite is:

"3.0 * 10+8. It's not just a good idea, IT'S THE LAW!"

.

What?? WTF is that?? By the time ive done the math on this little gem, ive already forgotten wtf we're talking about

[Steve]

Yeah, it's hard to do scientific notation on a text-based system, so ...

Three point zero times ten to the eighth.

When expressed in meters per second, it's the speed of light.

.

[posplayr]

the speed of light = 299 792 458 m / s

or normally expressed in scientific notation as 3.0E+08
alternatively 3.0x10^8

[chef1366]

the speed of light = 299 792 458 m / s

or normally expressed in scientific notation as 3.0E+08
alternatively 3.0x10^8

Oh snap Here we go.

[mike_of_bbg]

The faster you drive, the less you age

That explains my gray hair...

[Steve]

the speed of light = 299 792 458 m / s

or normally expressed in scientific notation as 3.0E+08
alternatively 3.0x10^8

Thanks, Pos.

.