Checking Valve shims

[paul doran]

that is a very well explained method of reshimming Chris

shims are not too difficult to do but some People get a little scared at the thought of it this may help them hopefully

[sid123]

DO NOT use ground shims they can fracture and cause no end of damage !!! ( also stated in the notes on Kawasakio shim selection chart )

The shims are hardened steel and the grinding creates stress raising points on the surface even if face down.

Sid

[KeithZ1R]

Nicely Illustrated Chris few myths busted there, hopefully it will inspire a few people to have a go at what is a simple but satisfying task

[sanderz]

DO NOT use ground shims they can fracture and cause no end of damage !!! ( also stated in the notes on Kawasakio shim selection chart )

The shims are hardened steel and the grinding creates stress raising points on the surface even if face down.

Sid

Confirms what i thought, thanks for the imput Sid. I have now changed the 7 ground shims for new ones (brand spankers) Now i know whats in there

[chrisu]

i'm getting quite good at this - have done a z1 and a z900 in the last few weeks.

[FreddaAbborre]

Very good guide!

But how to find the shim tool?

I've searched the bay but only finding tools like this:





How to do it with them? Have seen the description, but can't figure out the how to remove the shim when the second tool is inserted (as I understands it puching onto the shim).

Edit: If I would have looked further when I googled the pictures I'd seen the tool in use...

[chrisu]

Z1 enterprises sell them

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?item=57001-113

I got mine from Jeff in 1994

[chrisNI]

The tool doesn't hold the valve down so far as to make contact and you only rotate the camshaft enough to install the tool then a little further so you can remove the shim. You have to check the clearance prior to installing the tool, the tool is purely for the removal/replacement of the shim.

If you have high lift cams with shim over bucket and you are using the Kawasaki tool the valves may not hit the piston but they can hit each other depending on lift, duration and overlap, as I found out the hard way a few weeks before going to Germany. My cams are ony .389s. If in doubt look down the plug hole using a torch to see what the valves are doing as you turn the cam to remove the shim. Most higher lift cams use shim under bucket and you'd be taking the cams out anyway so it's not an issue.

[xsfool]

Apologies if this is a repeat remark covered elsewhere.
But checking the clearances with the camlobe pointing away from the shim gives smaller clearance results than doing the check with the lobe at 90 degrees to the shim.
The clymer manual for my z1r isnt very clear, making remarks about sprocket marks that are not obvious on my bike.

where should I take the clearances?

[Pigford]

Apologies if this is a repeat remark covered elsewhere.
But checking the clearances with the camlobe pointing away from the shim gives smaller clearance results than doing the check with the lobe at 90 degrees to the shim.
The clymer manual for my z1r isnt very clear, making remarks about sprocket marks that are not obvious on my bike.

where should I take the clearances?

Measure the largest clearance value - usually with lobe pointing 180 degs away from bucket, axis in line with valve stem

As a side not, Suzook GSX's state clearances to be measured with lobes pointing vertical - not in line with valve stems

[jimmock]

Guyz,

I'm all shimmed out!!!


Shimmock.

[malc87]

excellent piece that
I had no idea how to do it as my triples dont have these valve thingys

[Taffus]

Somebody was asking how to do this on Facebook, i have posted a link to this

[xsfool]

that was me taffus, trying to get as many opinions as poss

[chrisu]

now you know................