The Cheapest Valve Shim Removal Tool

I use plastic zip ties. Take a zip tie and fold in half and put a small bend at the end then pull out the spark plugs and put the zip tie down in the hole with the cam lobe down to open the valve. Now rotate the motor with a wrench and the zip tie will keep the valve down so you can remove the shim. It works like a charm and is very inexpensive and you can use two hands for shim removal.


I found this on the net so I can't take the credit

maybe I am paranoid from years of smoking wacky tabbacky, but would that not risk damaging the valve seating surface, or maybe bending a valve? maybe I am being dumb, but this method sounds too easy...

The most that could happen in my opinion is a little carbon gets dislodged and holds the valve open, thus giving a bad measurement. It is actually very simple and since you are turning the motor with a wrench it is a "Soft Stop". If it were to bend a valve the valve would have to shot beforehand. After using this method I will never use the wrench again. Just my opinion

Sweeeeeeeeet
I like this one ALOT.
Thanks

I am going to try it out in another month, I would rather buy a can of seafoam than a shim tool!

Here is a pic of what it looks like

The proper tool is less than $10

www.motorcycletoolchest.com/Motion_Pro_0...g_Tool_p/08-0019.htm


Carbon between the seat and the valve seating surface makes an ugly mess of a valve job. I guess in dire straights, a guy could limp by with the zip tie....But the proper tool is so inexpensive that I just can't see risking screwing up a valve job for less than a $20 bill...

If you do choose the zip tie method, the first thing you better do is make sure the cam chain is adjusted [manual tensioner]. If you have slack in it and turn the motor over backwards, you could end up with your cam timing off.

JMO

Larry C

I understand the proper tool is definitely the way to go, but this thread is about home made tools on the cheap. What is the bat shaped wing for? Also that tool almost looks to have a zip tie moulded in to the ball handle. I try to always turn the crank forward on what ever it may be, just for that reason of possibly jumping teeth from reverse rotation.

Kawickrice wrote:

I understand the proper tool is definitely the way to go, but this thread is about home made tools on the cheap. What is the bat shaped wing for? Also that tool almost looks to have a zip tie moulded in to the ball handle. I try to always turn the crank forward on what ever it may be, just for that reason of possibly jumping teeth from reverse rotation.

What is the bat shaped wing for? --- Same as special Kawasaki tool. Holds against lip of bucket to allow shim removal and replacement.

Imo, best to toss the ball-ended lever, and hand-rotate crank forward as described, using 17mm fake nut on crankshaft, whereby cam opens valve instead of using the lever.

Good Luck!