Valve shims...Willing to let me borrow?

Hello all,

I became a member here when I bought my first kz550 a few months back. These valves kind of caught me off guard as I am used to the adjustable honda cbs'.

I would like to tear into the bike and do the valves in one day, and not have it drag out a couple weeks waiting for shims from z1.

Does anyone have a shim set I can borrow? I would be willing to replace what I use, and give the old ones if you'd like.

I know I am new here and it is hard to trust people, but sometimes you just have to . I am a member over on SOHC4.net and have bought and sold parts and odds and ends for a little over a year there with no problems.


Can you trust and help a fellow rider and member out?

Thanks,
Jon

The 550 uses 13mm under-bucket shims, right?

I don't have a "shim set" in that size, but I think I have a few. Rather than asking for a whole set, it might be easier if you could tell us which specific sizes you need.

Yes, 13mm valve shims. The problem is, I wanted to try to do everything in a day. I don't have a garage, only a shed and when I have a bunch of parts laying around I tend to kick them or lose them. (3 bikes in there along with the mower and snowblower, and only 8 foot by 10)

If I have to remove the shims to know what size I have/ need, it's going to drag out at least a week with ordering and shipping.

I really want to get it done in a day. I guess I will buy a shim kit if all else fails.

Can anyone recommend a reasonable priced kit? (13mm)

shizzomynizzo wrote:

...kz550...would like to...do the valves in one day, and not have it drag out a couple weeks waiting for shims from z1.

Order from Z1E usually arrives in 2~3 days.

May also need new valve cover gasket.

After swapping the existing shims around, may not need but 2 or 3 new shims (likely thinner).

Good Fortune!

Okay good to know, I didnt realize they had such quick shipping. Good call on the valve cover gasket too, I might as welol hget one...no hurt in having a spare if I don't need one.

Do they sell the tool too?

they sure do, but if you have the shim under bucket type you don't need a tool

I just checked my 550 manual and you don't need a tool because you have the shim under bucket style

How do I remove the shims then? do I just lift the bucket with my hands?

I'm new to this style of head on the bikes. I know the sohc honda's inside and out though....much simpler!

you're not going to like the answer...you have to remove your cams and then pull the buckets out (a magnet works well for that).

Carefully measure all clearances and record then lift the cams. Take each shim out and measure with calipers, then figure the one you need by subtraction. You will want to get a service manual to reinstall the cams and get the timing right.

Your talking about doing the head, as in a valve job? or are you just going to adj the valves?

the adj can be done in one day as you want if you know the sizes that you will need to replace them, that being said, have you checked them to see if they need adjusting? and also have you checke the can chain, it prob needs some attention also.

also since you are wanting to do this in one day I would have Heli Coil sets ready to go just incase you strip out a cam bolt during the process