Valve Adjustment

[qwqb]

Hey,

I am working on adjusting my valves. I am wondering, when measuring clearances, there are some size feeler guages that slide right in, then there are bigger ones that can be pushed in with some force, and then there are bigger ones that won't go in at all.

I am wondering what you guys do about the ones that can go in, but only with some force applied. Do you count that as a "it fit" or a "it doesn't fit"? I hope this makes sense. Thanks guys.

 

[Flying Fish]

I've always gone by the the rule that if it takes any force to get the feeler gauge in it doesn't fit.

 

[qwqb]

Thanks, where is a good local place to get shims from? I don't feel like ordering them from online and waiting for shipping...

 

[Steve]

Yep, that's about the best way to gauge it. You are not going to compress the valve spring any by pushing a feeler gauge in there, but it should slide in relatively easily. Some drag is expected, but not force.

By the way, if you are finding less than 0.03mm or 0.0012" clearance (less than your smallest feeler), enter a value smaller than that on the spreadsheet. It will then tell you that you need the next size smaller shim.

Note, also, if you can't fit your smallest feeler in there, you need to see if the shim and bucket will turn freely. If it does, you will likely only need to change one size, if you can't turn them, you have no idea how many sizes you need to change unless you have a shim that is several sizes smaller that you can put in to check the clearance.

.

 

[qwqb]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I'm getting clearance values that I wasn't expecting. Two on my values are in spec, One value is less than my smallest gauge, but the bucket still spins, and the rest have clearances of 0.1 mm or 0.125 mm. I didn't expect these kinds of clearances being I've read that clearances generally become smaller as time goes. Unless of course, the PO did some sort of weird shim job that gave extra large clearances. What do you think?

 

[robertbarr]

Hey Steve,

I didn't expect these kinds of clearances being I've read that clearances generally become smaller as time goes. Unless of course, the PO did some sort of weird shim job that gave extra large clearances. What do you think?

I think you'll drive yourself nuts trying to figure out what any previous owner did.

Obviously your only choice here is to trust your measurements and proceed from there.

 

[rideOn]

i had to order some from z1. my closest zuki dealer never has anything and the kawi dealer had shims with slightly smaller diameters and i did not want to take the risk. they came quick from z1 and i did order extras (all of which were a size or two down in theickness), just in case. I thought if i needed them next time i'd have them, but I ended up using them all.

 

[qwqb]

$5.30 per shim on Z1 seems a bit pricey to me. I'll have to check my Suzuki dealer and see what they have. I've heard of some places trading shims for free, so maybe I'll come across some luck.

 

[gearhead13]

The parts guys at my zuki dealer get that constipated look when I ask for main jets, even worse when I asked for pilot jets (the pilot jets they got me were for a 80's dirt bike LOL). I wonder what they would say if I asked for valve shims for a 30 year old bike?
When I ask a question about bikes they say that they "just sell parts", and refer me to service Probably dont even ride bikes

 

[Steve]

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the reply. I'm getting clearance values that I wasn't expecting. Two on my values are in spec, One value is less than my smallest gauge, but the bucket still spins, and the rest have clearances of 0.1 mm or 0.125 mm. I didn't expect these kinds of clearances being I've read that clearances generally become smaller as time goes. Unless of course, the PO did some sort of weird shim job that gave extra large clearances. What do you think?

I agree with Mr. Barr. NEVER trust what the PO did.

If you are measuring large clearances, that's what you have. Just keep in mind that the spreadsheet will only suggest one size difference, no matter how far it's off, so you will have to evaluate whether you need to drop one or two sizes.

By the way, $5.30 per shim is pretty darn cheap. The ONLY way you will get them cheaper is if your dealer will swap them. Retail prices range between $12 and $15.

.

 

[qwqb]

Another issue is that Z1's shims come in 2.30mm at the smallest. I, unfortunately, need some that are smaller than that, so I guess I'm just going to hope that my dealer will swap!

 

[terrylee]

why not check out the shim club on this site? terrylee

 

[Steve]

Another issue is that Z1's shims come in 2.30mm at the smallest. I, unfortunately, need some that are smaller than that, so I guess I'm just going to hope that my dealer will swap!

I'll bet that if you call them, they will be able to order what you need. They don't have everything that's available posted in their catalogs.

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