There's so much I don't know about this bike!

when you get the cam on the basecircle,can you rotate the buckets or are they tight. also just for your info the size differance between shim sizes is about .002" so if you can rotate the buckets with little pressure it should need about 3 or 4 shim sizes smaller than whats in there now. by the way the motion pro tools work great i have worn out a few sets over the years. is this a fresh head or one that has a ton of miles on it. my own personal preferance for valve clearances are .004 intake .006 exhaust i've been setting them there so long i forget what kawasaki even called for.

My advice is to spend the extra money on the Kawi tool and not the motion pro. The smaller tool is easier to use and no one has ever complained about it in 35 years.

Old Man Rock wrote:

uh guys... I'm all for making my own tools... Example, HEX wrenches for the ZX636 front end axle bolt (requires two one for each side) and the prices of one wrench was rediculous $40-$60 each, so I made my own with a bolt and welded nuts on each side, $4 for all.

But this shim tool from Z1 is pretty much cheaper then you could even make...

thadley55:

Slow down a bit dude...
"P.S. I've had this thing since May I just really want to ride it!!!"...

Hell, I have been working on my project since last year, others have been working on theirs for over a couple of years...:blink: We all want to ride our babies sooner than later, ok, preferably before we die but be patient and do it right.

"that only 2valves were in spec!! I need shims"

2valves in spec.. Are you depicting the shim measurements using a feeler gauge. If so, what were your measurement?

How much of a difference where your measurements off spec?

"6 of the valves have no clearance"... None what so ever?

Go to Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowes, Ace hardware where ever and buy a digital micrometer that also does milli meter (mm) measurements, they're ~ $25. You can measure the shim in mm. From Z1, each shim is under $5 so but 4 each above and 4 each below or perferably buy a shim kit to cover all your needs.

OMR

i just like things that fit me and my caveman way of doing things,that and i come from a long line of railroad blacksmiths and just like making stuff!:laugh:

Hey Plummen, meant no disgrace (such as you) to those that truly have the ability, skills and tools to do so but not in this case. Now OMR feels bad! Poor OMR! :laugh:

He seems to be having a hard enough time and as he has written in numerous postings... basically doesn't know what he's doing. I'm not trying to ping Thadley, only stating what he has written where he has jumped the gun/leaped with both feet/gone cowboy without truly analyzing WTF the problem is or what needs to be done.

Example, I need shims... Honestly, I'm not so sure he does from what he's written. Then again, WTF do I know.

Piece Brother...

OMR

You're right OMR I do tend to jump the gun a bit. I don't have anyone to talk bikes with and I'm really excited about the ability to ask questions pertaining to my bike. This bike was neglected for a long time' and I don't want to make a mistake because I was to afraid to ask. I have cost myself a lot of time and money making ignorant mistakes. I can not tell you how much I appreciate all of you responding to my posts. I have checked all my shim sizes and am ready to order the appropriate ones. By the way Kaw. says .002"-.004" or .005-.010 mm
ThanksB)
P.S. I will try the spinning technique, I never even thought about that!

I'm not sure what manual you have so just in case, in the Kawi Shop manual, page 182 has the Valve Adjustment Chart which guides you to the right shims required for out of spec measurements.

BTW... YOU DON'T PLACE SHIMS ON TOP OF SHIMS...

Good luck,

OMR