need to find the feeler guages

[turkeyroll60]

I got my Clymers manual in for my 82 gs 450 t and now I would like to do a tune up since there is some valve clatter hear neat the left exhaust port. The manual states that the feller gauges for suzukis are smaller than the standard ones found at auto parts stores. I have looked on ebay and havent had any luck. I dont want to pay an arm and a leg for them either. Does anyone no where I can go to find the gauges and the shims needed to complete this project please?

[turkeyroll60]

I am such an awesome speller!

[Nessism]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/tools.asp?tool=all&Group_ID=1122&store=snapon-store

[tom203]

I am such an awesome speller!

Yeah, you spelled "awesome" right and that snap-on link had good prices on USA "feller" gauges. You won't know what shims you need till you check them.

[Steve]

I am intrigued by the descriptions of the feelers in the list that Nessism gave you.

All but the last one are called "US/Metric", but only list the US sizes. That means that they are manufactured to INCH sizes, but have the metric approximations printed on them. Not a problem.

The last one is a proper METRIC set of feelers, but starts a .05mm, which is in the middle of the range. The specs for your bike call for .03 to .08mm of clearance. You could have a valve with .03 or .04mm clearance and would not know the difference between that and .01mm. I would not recommend that set.

The INCH approximation of .03mm is .0012". Most of the other sets start at .0015", which is pretty close. It is safe to assume that if the .0015 does not work, it's time to change the shim.

Of the ones listed, I would go for the first one. Not only is it cheaper, it also is the only one with the .001" feeler that is just barely smaller than the minimum clearance. It also has the fewest feelers in the set, but includes all that you will need for your bike or the newer ones that use threaded adjusters instead of shims.

You got your Welcome package from BassCliff ten days ago. Have you read through any of it? He has a tutorial that shows very nicely how to check your valve adjustment and change the shims, if necessary. The Clymer version can be a bit confuzzling.

He also mentions in his Welcome package looking up a guy named "Steve" and getting the spreadsheet that is offered.
Well, "Steve" found you, look down here for details.

.

[turkeyroll60]

Thanks for the help. I found the valve adjustment tutorial on Bikecliff's site and am studying it now. This forum is great to have as a resource.

[Nessism]

Steve's recommendation is good (the same set I use). http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog It's rare to find a set of feeler gauges with the .001" size.

SnapOn is top quality and shipping is included in the price. I ordered two sets of these a couple of years ago and count it as a solid purchase.

[FLHGSRay]

It's rare to find a set of feeler gauges with the .001" size.

This is true. That's why I keep some .001" shim stock in my toolbox for the really tight ones, just to make sure I actually have some clearance. Any machine shop will give you a piece. The first time I checked mine, I had a couple that were tighter than .0015". The .001" shim stock slid in where the .0015" feeler guage wouldn't, which told me I at least HAD clearance.

[Steve]

This is true. That's why I keep some .001" shim stock in my toolbox for the really tight ones, just to make sure I actually have some clearance. Any machine shop will give you a piece. The first time I checked mine, I had a couple that were tighter than .0015". The .001" shim stock slid in where the .0015" feeler guage wouldn't, which told me I at least HAD clearance.

You can also try spinning the buckets. If they turn easily, you have some clearance. If they are hard to turn, the cam is pushing on it.

Also, by the time you get to .0015" clearance, it is safe to go to the next size shim. That will take you to very close to the .003" max, but many of us will actually go a bit larger, to .004" with no problems.

.

[1948man]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=165662&highlight=.03mm+feeler+gauge

I use these.

[bwringer]

Crikey, you guys are making this difficult.

"Bikemaster" sells metric feeler gauges that go down to .03mm. There's a display of Bikemaster tools in most metric motorcycle shoppes, or you can order them from several other sources.

http://www.motosport.com/dirtbike/BIKEMASTER-FEELER-GAUGE-SET

It's really MUCH less confusing to get a set of metric gauges.

[FLHGSRay]

You can also try spinning the buckets. If they turn easily, you have some clearance. If they are hard to turn, the cam is pushing on it.

This is NOT a guarantee, especially to people who haven't done alot of this.

It's really MUCH less confusing to get a set of metric gauges.

It's really not confusing to someone that grew up converting to metric. (us old guys)!

[madjack57754]

I buy individual feeler gauge "leafs" in the sizes that I use most, from MSC. I buy two of each size that I need to do the 16 valve heads. They are a half inch wide and 12 inches long. Sure makes the job of setting valves easy compaired to using conventional feeler gauge sets.
Here is a link

http://www1.mscdirect.com/eCommerce/NavigationServlet?ta=Y&N=12101158