Homemade shim change tool?

Somebody stole my Kaw OEM shim change tool from my shop... argh! The other one I have doesnt fit right.

I remember there was a quick way of fitting some zip tie over the valve or something...

any ideas? I have to get this done tonight.

Cheers.

How about 2 screw drivers or a couple small pry bars? One to push the valve down, or if you rotate the motor the cam can do it, and one to wedge the edge of the bucket while you change the shim?
You said ANY Ideas.:blink:

TeK9iNe wrote:

...I remember there was a quick way of fitting some zip tie over the valve or something....

Might be mistaken, but vaguely recalling a folded zip tie inserted through the spark plug hole and looped around the open valve to prevent the valve from closing into its seat.

Both ends of the zip tie remain outside the spark plug hole.

In other words, using the zip tie to hold the valve open.

Gonna need the right size zip tie.

Good Fortune!

Well if it were me i would check the valves and make note of clearances and back off cam chain tensioner and loosen cam caps change shims instead of risking damage prying. but hey i am used to shim under buckets.

Here you go it is buried in the tool section.




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

DFIGPZ wrote:

Well if it were me i would check the valves and make note of clearances and back off cam chain tensioner and loosen cam caps change shims instead of risking damage prying. but hey i am used to shim under buckets.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Obviously, you did not understand the question... I've changed shims a bazzillion times. Its ok.

Thanks Kawickrice! Before even seeing your post thats exactly the tool I came up with last night, and...

it works fantastically! ...and fast!

Just push the valve down into the cylinder with the cam, then wedge the edge of the zip tie up under the valve and roll the cam forward. It leaves a nice enough space to pop the shim out with a dentists pick and small forscepts.

Screw the old tool, this is superfast and in no way damages the valves.

Cheers!

TeK9iNe wrote:

Thanks Kawickrice! Before even seeing your post thats exactly the tool I came up with last night, and...

it works fantastically! ...and fast!

Just push the valve down into the cylinder with the cam, then wedge the edge of the zip tie up under the valve and roll the cam forward. It leaves a nice enough space to pop the shim out with a dentists pick and small forscepts.

Screw the old tool, this is superfast and in no way damages the valves.

Cheers!

I agree 100% fast, cheap, and easy, kinda like my women's

TeK9iNe wrote:

DFIGPZ wrote:

Well if it were me i would check the valves and make note of clearances and back off cam chain tensioner and loosen cam caps change shims instead of risking damage prying. but hey i am used to shim under buckets.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Obviously, you did not understand the question... I've changed shims a bazzillion times. Its ok.

NO you misunderstood my post i am sure you know how to check valve clearances. I posted i WOULD NOT RISK DAMAGE to the head using a make shift tool. I would just loosen the cam cap lift cam slightly and exchange shim. but everything i always owned had shim under buckets or converted and I had no choice but to use this method.