Shim decision thick or thin.

Hi all,

I am currently checking my valve clearances on my '78 kz1000A2 and found #1 intake a little tight. Can't get a .002 feeler gauge in it. However I can spin the bucket. The shim in it is a 2.25 but I don't have a 2.2 to replace it with. I do have A 2.15 I really want to get it going so I can ride this weekend. So Is 2.15 too thin or should I put the 2.25 back in untill I get a 2.2?

2.15 should be perfect.

That's what I Put in. Now it takes a .005 feeler gauge and runs fine. I usually like from .003 to .004 but .001 won't hurt anything.

Originally Kawasaki recommended 2-4 thou clearance on these bikes, but adjusted this to 2-6 thou in later maintenance releases.

On my bikes I prefer to go slightly wide rather than tight - and will NEVER leave clearance under 3 thou. I try to get around 3.5 to 4.5 thou clearance where possible.