valve adjustment-on different models

[ron bayless]

When I owned my 80 gs 1000L the valve adjustment thing was difficult for me, and i uderstand some of the gs model years this wasnt necessary.Or is it? i also remember the clearance was to be between 4 and 8 thousandths, with looser being preferable.is that right? I also remember shims being a priority and buying a kit with a jillion shims was about a $100.00.Waiting for someone here to trade some was not a good option, and the chances of one shim i take from one valve set being the one i needed on another seemed unlikely.Input appreciated.

[tkent02]

The good news is you don't have to do it very often. A few assorted shims will get you there. You can also measure what you need and then call Ray (GhostGS1) for the sizes you need, swap them out when they arrive.

The later four valve per cylinder heads use no shims.

[slyone]

Yea the valve shim design thru me for a loop at 1st. I was doing an oil leak repair on camcover and/or 1/2 moon seal plugs so I figured I'd do it while there. Thanks to members here helping me along. Now I got a fresh topend with new gaskets. I got a nice new feeler gauge set from harbor freight for like $4.00 and the local Suzuki shop had a large assortment and only charged me $3.00 ea. I also had an inexpensive 6" calipers from HF for checking shim thickness
and carb float height. It's on sale now http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...MTQ2OSJ9%0D%0A
http://www.harborfreight.com/32-piec...uge-32214.html
So $15.00 a couple gaskets and some time and you're all done!

[ron bayless]

Yea the valve shim design thru me for a loop at 1st. I was doing an oil leak repair on camcover and/or 1/2 moon seal plugs so I figured I'd do it while there. Thanks to members here helping me along. Now I got a fresh topend with new gaskets. I got a nice new feeler gauge set from harbor freight for like $4.00 and the local Suzuki shop had a large assortment and only charged me $3.00 ea. I also had an inexpensive 6" calipers from HF for checking shim thickness
and carb float height. It's on sale now http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...MTQ2OSJ9%0D%0A
http://www.harborfreight.com/32-piec...uge-32214.html
So $15.00 a couple gaskets and some time and you're all done!

Thanks, that is great information.

[Nessism]

People that can't muster the discipline to read the service manual and adjust a shim type GS's valves shouldn't own a 30+ year old motorcycle. It's a very easy process, and there are all kinds of threads here describing the process plus a Basscliff tutorial. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but come on. It's a dead easy process.

[tkent02]

You go, Ed!

[Guest]

As for the one part of your question, there are models of GS bikes that don't use shims. The 16 valve bikes still need adjustment but there are no shims. Recently I did my first adjustment on a friends 1150 and it was way simpler although as Ed said, valve adjustment isn't that hard especially with the step by step procedures on Cliffs site. It's just a lot quicker when you're not dealing with shims.

[Steve]

The 16 valve bikes still need adjustment but there are no shims. ... It's just a lot quicker when you're not dealing with shims.

Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

Might be a little easier to not have to change a shim, but you have twice as many valves to do.

.

[Steve]

People that can't muster the discipline to read the service manual and adjust a shim type GS's valves shouldn't own a 30+ year old motorcycle. It's a very easy process, and there are all kinds of threads here describing the process plus a Basscliff tutorial. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but come on. It's a dead easy process.

And if trying to figure out that shim replacement chart in the manual is too confusing, just read the invite in my sig.

.

[tkent02]

Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

Might be a little easier to not have to change a shim, but you have twice as many valves to do.

.

And do them a lot more often.

[almarconi]

Wait until you have to adjust a 16 valve shim under bucket head before you start complaining. The 8 valve gs heads are a piece of cake to adjust.

[Guest]

Just posting this because you asked.
Z1 has a shim kit.

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Valve+Shim+Kit+29.5mm&item=KL13-7008

Individual shims run about $6.00.

Ah, Z1 has a special on it's Motion Pro shim tool,

http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Valve+Shim+Changing+Tool+Suzuki&item=MP08-0017

Or, you could use the zip tie method if you don't want to splurge for the tool.

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/valve_tool_zip_tie.pdf

[slyone]

Here's the zip I used http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch...ack-66487.html

[Steve]

Wait until you have to adjust a 16 valve shim under bucket head before you start complaining. The 8 valve gs heads are a piece of cake to adjust.

Care to try a CBX?

24 valves to adjust, and I believe they are shim under bucket.

.