Valve Shim Removal Question

Having removed the valve cover and checked the clearances the next step is to remove the shims.

I noticed though that some of the shim buckets have rotated so that the notch that allows you to lift the shim is under the cam shaft.

In BigFitz's airhead valve adjustment post he writes:

I'm just wondering how you rotate the bucket to get the notch in the best position.

 

You rotate it when the cam lobe is opposite of the bucket.

 

Yes, the bucket rotates freely when the cam isn't loading it. The bucket will rotate as the cam pushes down on the shim. Getting the notch positioned so it will rotate into a convenient location is the "art" part.

 

Thanks gentlemen. My first time so just wanted to check

 

I got into the habit of simply holding the notch where I wanted it, after I got it positioned properly, because it has a tendency to spin out place when you are placing the load back on the shim.

 

That's assuming the valve hasn't closed up enough to ride the shim on the cam 8O in which case you're in a bunch of trouble.....

Have a look here:

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bik ... ip_tie.pdf

Cheapest valve lifting tool you'll find. It's written for a GS Suzuki, but the principle is the same (and I used this method on my XJ a few months ago :wink: )

 

Hillsy, that's a great document. After reading that, Bigfitz's thread and some of miCarl's stuff as well as the rest of you it all went well.

Now gotta see if I can purchase aftermarket shims in Oz.

 

I'm not sure if your bike uses the 29mm shims like mine does, but if it does you don't even have to go aftermarket to save some money. For some reason the Kawasaki shims are the exact same thing but only cost about $12 instead $20 something like the Yamaha ones do.

 

and only $7 or $8 from chacal.

 

Yep Broke Dirty they do and I'm able to get them here for $9.95 each at a place called ZPower Australia.
My last chacal order has just dispatched so missed the boat on adding them.

 

Hey Crow, I only paid $8 from Yam' Frankston.

 

Thanks wizard. Spoke to Jade down there and all organised.

I reckon Jade must fancy you (does your first name start with R?) and gave you a good price as I'm paying slightly more but after ringing two local Yamaha shops where the pimply faced youths "didn't think they have them" I'm happy to pay for a bit of old fashioned customer service. Pick them up mid next week.

 

Hi crow ,there,s a company in Aus. called Precision Shims that sells all sizes,including the 29mm ones. They priority mail,so delivery is quick. I carnt remember their details,but you can google,or they also advertise in Just Bikes magazine. Cheers, Murray

 

Last time I asked Yam' Frankston for shim prices they were $20 each, that was about 6 months ago. Went for used from Pakenham got a mate to pick 'em up, $2 each. Maybe next time I'll tell Jade they are for R? Or Yam' Frankston can take a flying....at the moon!

 

Yeah $20 are for the Yamaha ones $10 is for the aftermarket ones.
Jeez murray precision shims are about 20 minutes from my place will bookmark there site for next time.

 

be aware though if you go for shipped parts!!!!!!!!!!

powerpartsplus out of texas had yamaha OEM shims for
$13.00 each. i ordered 5.

when they arrived i did'nt like the look-the y/# stamp, did'nt
come close the the OEM and the quality was diff. 8O

when i had to buy an additional aftermarket ship from the local
yama guys ( for $6.oo), i compared them and they were a perfect
match. :?

so then i took a second look at the little packs that came from
yamaha and EACH one had had the staples removed then re-stapled :evil:

it's not proof of fraud but i know in my hart (like you know when
your child is really sick) that i was ripped off.

accept for Len i won't buy new OEM parts over the e-net any more. :lol:

 

When Len doesn't carry something, or for whatever reason I have to resort to Yamaha as a source, I use Babbittsonline http://www.babbittsonline.com/pages/par ... fault.aspx and have never had any sort of a problem.

The other cool part is that they're right here in Michingan.