valve shims
- jonarmstrong
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valve shims
09 Apr 2013 10:35
Been reading all the posts I can trying to learn as much as possible. Saw a post saying to set valves at the loose end of tolerance for safety. I checked mine this weekend and I'm sitting between .002 and .004. If I put a thinner shim in I will be beyond the .006 the book calls for. Are mine ok like they are? It's an 82 Kz1000 ltd by the way
82 Kz1000 gpz1100 cams dyna ignition kerker k&n
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- wireman
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 12:46
Id get the exhaust valves as close to .004 as you can

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- jonarmstrong
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 12:57 - 09 Apr 2013 12:58
With shims coming in .005 increments, how do I get closer to .004. If I put a smaller one on my .002s I'm at .007 right?
82 Kz1000 gpz1100 cams dyna ignition kerker k&n
Last edit: 09 Apr 2013 12:58 by jonarmstrong. Reason: damn smart phone!
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- wireman
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 13:16 - 09 Apr 2013 13:17
Which way are you measuring them? 
Are they sitting on .002 or .003?

Are they sitting on .002 or .003?
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Last edit: 09 Apr 2013 13:17 by wireman.
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- wireman
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 13:38
Check your pm box

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- jonarmstrong
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 13:44
With a deeper guage between shim and cam with point of lobe opposite of shim. Is there another way?
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- Z1Driver
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 22:09 - 09 Apr 2013 22:13
I was told by an old retired Kawasaki mechanic they found the old Kaws ran better on the loose end. I don't think you will damage anything by being a tad looser. I broke a shim years ago when the clearance got too tight. Thank God it wasn't a burned valve. My 2 cents. Regards, Tim
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Last edit: 09 Apr 2013 22:13 by Z1Driver.
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- dbc92s10
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 22:29
set the intake at .004 and the exhaust at .006
81 ltd1000
1135 mtc 10.5/1
cavanaugh racing head
38.6/32 p&p
APE k410 cams
APE hardware and tensioner
84 gpz1100 trans
kerker w comp baffle
rs36 carbs
fast by gast race crank
1135 mtc 10.5/1
cavanaugh racing head
38.6/32 p&p
APE k410 cams
APE hardware and tensioner
84 gpz1100 trans
kerker w comp baffle
rs36 carbs
fast by gast race crank
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- jonarmstrong
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 22:38
Ok. Still not understanding how to get there wo being too loose when whims are in .005 increments. Am I being too technical? The book says between .002 and .006
82 Kz1000 gpz1100 cams dyna ignition kerker k&n
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- Patton
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 23:12jonarmstrong wrote: With shims coming in .005 increments, how do I get closer to .004. If I put a smaller one on my .002s I'm at .007 right?
Shim thicknesses come in increments of .05mm or .002"
If clearance is .003" with the existing shim, the next thinner shim should increase clearance to .005"
Good Fortune!

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KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
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- jonarmstrong
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Re: valve shims
09 Apr 2013 23:22 - 09 Apr 2013 23:24
Thanks patton. I'll look into that all the ones I got were on the .005s. But if they come in .002s it makes all the diff in the world! Maybe I'm getting confused w my mm's and thousandths. I hate being stupid! :laugh:
82 Kz1000 gpz1100 cams dyna ignition kerker k&n
Last edit: 09 Apr 2013 23:24 by jonarmstrong.
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