Shim Question...

TeK9iNe
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Shim Question...

05 May 2009 19:55 - 05 May 2009 20:22

Quick Q:

How can I determine the shims I require if I have no valve clearance at all?

Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator

79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors

Last edit: 05 May 2009 20:22 by TeK9iNe.

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timebomb33
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Re: Shim Question...

05 May 2009 23:01 - 05 May 2009 23:02

#288335

will the bucket spin with pressure from your fingers and i hate to ask the obvious but are you sure that the cam is on the base circle. if you can spin the bucket i would go at least three sizes that will give you .006" clearance or more your smallest feeler gauge is .0015" right so if it will spin you will have between .006" and .0075" if you go 3 sizes smaller. hope this helps.

1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE

Last edit: 05 May 2009 23:02 by timebomb33.

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TeK9iNe
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 11:39

#288495

Iv'e got no spin at all. The seats were so bad that they had to cut them pretty deep.

Now I'm stuck with no clearance on any shims, and the valves are all "a hair" open.

Me thinks I'm going to have to get a really thin reference shim somewhere, then spend the hours moving that shim all over the head to find my clearances. Think this will work?

Thanks!

Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator

79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors

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RonKZ650
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 11:50

#288499

If you've just had a valve job, for sure you're not going to have clearance using the previous shims. 200 is the smallest shim, so hopefully it is small enough to enable clearance to be checked and calculated.

321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

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timebomb33
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 11:51

#288500

that way would work but it will take for every go onto ape's website and look for part number vgh 1110 with this tool you can figure out shim sizes easy the only thing is the head will have to come apart again but the good thing is you may have to get some valves tipped any way so it would have to come apart anyway if they sank them that deep.

1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE

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Skyman
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1978 KZ1000-B2 LTD 1982 KZ1000-M2 CSR
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 11:53 - 06 May 2009 11:54

#288502

What size shims do you have in there now?

I'd install a 200 shim (the thinnest available) and remeasure. If you don't have sufficient clearance with that, then it's time to start looking for a new head (or have new seats installed--or valve stems ground)

West Linn, OR

Last edit: 06 May 2009 11:54 by Skyman.

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bountyhunter
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 15:31 - 06 May 2009 15:32

#288553

I think the smaller shims for the 1000 are pretty cheap and available (somthing like $4 each?). I would buy at least four of the skinny ones so you could do four clearances at a time. Then calculate your needed shim sizes and either buy the shims you need or go to the dealer and try to sweet talk them into swapping some.

1979 KZ-750 Twin

Last edit: 06 May 2009 15:32 by bountyhunter.

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bountyhunter
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 15:35

#288555

TeK9iNe wrote:

Iv'e got no spin at all. The seats were so bad that they had to cut them pretty deep.

In the future, you should write down the shims at each valve going into the head job and tell them the limit on shim size available. That way they will measure valve end height before they start. After cutting the seats, they will grind the valve ends to try to hold the original height or at least make sure it is within service range of available shim sizes.

1979 KZ-750 Twin

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Old Man Rock
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 16:22

#288570

What size shims do you have in there now?

I was wondering the exact same thing.... Pop one/all out and measure with a caliper.... Go from there...

Same time as bounty hunter mentioned, Larry C did my valve/head work and informed me exactly what I would need in shims when I got the head back.... Surprised your machinist didn't provide the same....

OMR

1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter

Phoenix, Az

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TeK9iNe
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Re: Shim Question...

06 May 2009 20:16

#288650

Ok, finally got out to the garage.

Measured all the shims, and they are ranging from 2.82 - 2.67 Not bad for 45 thousand k.

Wish I had done things different now...

As a side note, I may have found someone local to either exchange shims, or have him look at my head. Just waiting on a call back...

Thanks for replies,

Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator

79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors

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TeK9iNe
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Re: Shim Question...

09 May 2009 23:34

#289726

Ok! The local guy I talked to had some 200's for me, and now I have my proper clearances!

He even gave me the origional Kawasaki Shim tool to use :lol:

235 - 250 average range now...

Cheers!

Motorcycle Shop Owner/Operator

79 Kawie Z1000 LTD
81 Kawie Z1000 CSR
83 Honda VT750C A
85 Kawie GPZ900 A2
86 Zukie GS1150 EG
93 Yamie XV1100 E
Lucky to have rolled many old bikes through my doors

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