SOLVED: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

thanks to everyone's help (and encouragement) earlier, I tore open my head and dove-in

I was a little curious as to why all the exhaust valves seem to be in spec and all the intake valves were way too tight.

Now, I've hit a snag that I don't know how to interpret.

My #4 cylinder intake had a clearance of less than .05mm. The pad currently in there was a 300

On the chart provided by big fitz, it says I should replace it with a 290. I have a pair of 290s from the other cylinders so I put one in.....

I still can't get a .05mm feeler in there!

I took it out again, re-inserted, made sure it was well-seated etc... I rotate the crank a few revs and checked again. Still too tight.

So what do I do? Guess? And with my luck, the rest are gonna be like that too

any ideas?

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Keep trying smaller shims till you are able to get a feeler in there, then use the chart.

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Keep trying smaller shims till you are able to get a feeler in there, then use the chart.

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

thats what I was afraid of. I have no others. I'll have to order some to try, then when I have it right, order the right ones.

Oh well. Such is life.


At least the bike is low mileage so I know it's not 'worn' out.

KVB_650 - you have any smaller ones in the 250-280 range I could borrow for experimentation? I could pop across the bridge any time!

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Are you sure you don't have two feelers stuck together?

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

yeah, I made sure. I couldn't help it when I saw your question, I went outside and tried it again.

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Which is why I don't throw away used shims (although I'm a staunch member of the "don't re-use them" camp.)

I keep a stash of used shims that I willingly (foolishly?) loan out to members in this situation. I should have a 245 or 250, 255 maybe some 260s-- I don't remember to be truthful. Lots less than 290 I know that.

PM me with your address and I'll drop an assortment of whatever I have in the mail; send them back when you're finished (even if it takes a year... he knows who he is...)

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

thanks (again) Fitz
if you do paypal, send me your email address so I can at least cover the shipping.

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Dealerships don't toss-out old shims nor give them back unless you ask for them.

Most guys who been around awhile have acquired quite a collection; needing a small chest of drawers to keep them sorted.

Other Forum Sites have a "Shim Pool" you can send-in and draw-out from.
This site should have one or two Regional Pools.
We got plenty of Members.

 

Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

I'll have a pair of 275's and 280's available once I get my new ones in. Let me know if you want them.

 

SOLVED Re: hit a snag doing my first valve adjustment

Fitz
I see by the PM still in my outbox that you didn't receive my shipping address. Good - it won't be required after all.

I pulled one out of the exhaust. As luck would have it, it was a 270, which allowed me to properly measure all the others that were too tight and get replacement sizes from the chart!

Now I know which ones I need - almost there.

thanks again to all who have helped.

 

I just got on the site and was about to check my PMs.

GOOD THINKING! You saved some time anyway.

If you ever need anything else don't hesitate to ask. I'm kind of jealous, my 650 Seca won't even be RUNNING (at least not without peeing gas all over the driveway) for a while yet.

But then again, I have a brace of road-ready 550s...