Soon to be needed Valve Adjustment -- Do I have the right stuff ?

[Wingsconsin]

This is my first valve adjustment without someone to help (watch out for) me and my machine.
I have gathered the gaskets, and all the stuff I think I need.
I have read the tutorials, and been mentored through it a little bit as I watched someone else do it on my bike
Now it is time for me to do it - and really learn what I am doing..
The wrenching doesn't scare me...it's the math on the clearance I am worried about...
I located this set of feeler gauges --
Which numbers do I need to follow ...??
I think the .00X numbers are thousandths of an inch ?

Set me straight here as I prepare to 'do no harm' on my bike...

 

[Brendan W]

Top numbers are inches. The brassy blade is 0.010 inches or 10 thousandths.
One inch is 25.4 mm exactly. The lower number is then 10/1000 of an inch or 25.4 x (10/1000) mm or .254mm.

 

[Nessism]

The only blades you are likely to need are the .004, .003, .002, and maybe the .0015 if you happen to have one.

 

[Guest]

Yep, that 0.004" feeler (might be the fifth thinnest one) will be the largest one you will likely need. That is about the same as 0.10mm, which is just a bit looser than factory spec. Many of us will run on the looser side, up to 0.01mm or 0.004".

Don't forget to position your cams properly. Start with 1EX forward (2EX will be up), measure BOTH, 1EX and 2EX. Rotate the crank 180 degrees (1/2 turn), you will find that 1IN and 2IN are now aligned for checking. Another 1/2 turn on the crank will line up 3EX and 4EX, a final 1/2 turn will line up 3IN and 4IN.

Do you have that spreadsheet from Steve? Makes it real handy to keep track.

 

[Wingsconsin]

Yep, that 0.004" feeler (might be the fifth thinnest one) will be the largest one you will likely need. That is about the same as 0.10mm, which is just a bit looser than factory spec. Many of us will run on the looser side, up to 0.01mm or 0.004".

Don't forget to position your cams properly. Start with 1EX forward (2EX will be up), measure BOTH, 1EX and 2EX. Rotate the crank 180 degrees (1/2 turn), you will find that 1IN and 2IN are now aligned for checking. Another 1/2 turn on the crank will line up 3EX and 4EX, a final 1/2 turn will line up 3IN and 4IN.

Do you have that spreadsheet from Steve? Makes it real handy to keep track.

Thanks to everyone -
Yes I have the spreadsheet from Steve - in fact he did the last adjustment on the old gal when we (he mostly) redid the gaskets from base UP.
Now it needs doing again as I have put on about 4K miles - and I want to get her ready for some serious longer rides this year.
A trip to Brown County Rally will be the big test -- and I have a dream of a SS1000 Iron Butt ride in the summer too...(dream right now)
I am a few days (week or so) from actually starting this work - but I mean to get pictures and keep records of the process if I can for sharing with those who would like to know.