what PHONY 'HOTTER CAMS' look like!

I made my own shim removal tool. I found a picture of one online and used it as a template. It works so good I've never bothered to buy one.

I have used this one and it don't get no cheaper





kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=21&id=320714

newOld_kz1000 wrote:

...could then order the correct shims tomorrow at the same time I order the shim replacement tool.

Must know existing shim size to determine replacement size needed. Removal with the tool is the first step.

When adjusting the clearances, it's a good idea to record each valve's correct shim size, so next time the existing size will be already known without needing to remove the shim for inspection.

Good Luck!

Patton wrote:

newOld_kz1000 wrote:

...could then order the correct shims tomorrow at the same time I order the shim replacement tool.

Must know existing shim size to determine replacement size needed. Removal with the tool is the first step.

When adjusting the clearances, it's a good idea to record each valve's correct shim size, so next time the existing size will be already known without needing to remove the shim for inspection.

Good Luck!

Yep, I realized that today. I have never done a valve adjustment before, so I just thought "Okay, Kawasaki put a standard shim, and the *same* shim, on each bucket when the bike shipped from the factory. I'll just look in the Factory Shop Manual to see what that is, then measure the gaps, then I'll know which shims to order."

NOPE. Didn't work out that way. There IS no 'standard size shim shipped in the bike from the factory' mentioned in the FSM.

I suspect that, due to manufacturing tolerances, the Kawasaki factory actually has to measure then ship new bikes with a shim that works for the given valve based on the clearance as the new engine is assembled, and that potentially each of the 8 valves could have a different shim from the factory.

Like my old saying goes, "Common sense is not commonplace." In this case it didn't sink in until I couldn't find a 'Default factory-supplied shim size' and I realized that yep, I will have to remove each shim before knowing which one to order. Or just order the next 2 smaller sizes for each valve, which I may do.

Thanks for pointing that out.

remove the existing shim then add or subtract differance figure which shim you need.hang on to old shims,they can be handy bartering items!