Shim sizes

[Larry D]

Here in a week or two, I'm going to be doing a valve adjustment on the GK. This got me thinking about shims.

Generally speaking....what sizes are used and not used ? For example, are 270's used all the time and..say...280's are rarely used ? Or is there really no rhyme or reason ?

[Nessism]

As the engine wears you need thinner and thinner shims; clearance doesn't grow larger.
2.80 is a fairly common size for a new engine, but there aren't a whole lot of them around anymore. 2.70 would typically be found on engines with 20k miles or so so pretty common. Interestingly, my 850 which only has about 5k miles on it, has a bunch of 2.60's which is thinner than normal for a bike like this. I don't think the valves had never been adjusted on the bike before I got it so go figure.

[Larry D]

Thanks Ed. I'm pretty sure I've read that these shims, new from the dealer are +- $5.00 apiece....right ? Brian has a collection of shims he's going to let me dip into, but, I'd like to replenish his collection at some point.

I'm not sure if a valve adjustment has ever been done to the GK. The plastic coated metal fasteners for the wires don't look like they've ever been touched. Usually you can see where the plastic coating has been cracked by unbending them. There's about 31,000 on it now.....

Edit :: I could've just read this thread.......

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=119345&highlight=Shim+sizes

[Nessism]

Thanks Ed. I'm pretty sure I've read that these shims, new from the dealer are +- $5.00 apiece....right ? Brian has a collection of shims he's going to let me dip into, but, I'd like to replenish his collection at some point.

I'm not sure if a valve adjustment has ever been done to the GK. The plastic coated metal fasteners for the wires don't look like they've ever been touched. Usually you can see where the plastic coating has been cracked by unbending them. There's about 31,000 on it now.....

Larry, those plastic coated wire anchors are high quality and don't typically crack very easily in my experience. Regarding your bike, hopefully the valves weren't totally neglected since they could be pretty burnt up at 31k if there has never been a valve adjustment before. Guess you'll find out soon enough. If the gasket is the original it will be petrified and a BEAR to remove - the worst part of the adjustment job by far. Good luck and don't forget to report back with your findings.

[Larry D]

I certainly will reoprt back. And I'll say it again, I have to be the luckiest member here, to have some GS guru's living within literally a few miles from me.

Hopefully you're right about the wire holddowns, I'd hate to have to deal with burnt up valves......more to follow.

[twr1776]

Larry, see what you need first and let me know before you replenish Brians supply. The "Hoosier Shim Kit North" has lots of assorted sizes. Are you going with a Realgasket?

[Larry D]

Yep, the RealGasket is in the garage.....It was a Christmas gift from the lovely wife.

I'll let you know if I need some extras....Thanks.

[bwringer]

There'll probably be no need to replenish my shim collection -- if a shim needs to be replaced, the shim that comes out of the bike goes back into the kit. Over time it all evens out just fine. It's the cirrrrrrrrrcle of life...

Once in a while I have to run down to Cycle Recycle and grab a few shims I'm running low on. Rob charges a measly $5 a pop.

You'll see how it all works soon.