Valve shim clearances

  • Topper
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Valve shim clearances

30 Dec 2013 14:13
#616769
So I'm doing the valve shim shimmy. I've checked my clearances and am trying to get all four valves on my '79 KZ750 within spec by swapping around shims and using some of the shims that I've collected since the last time I set the clearances.

I can't quite get within spec and I'm wondering what's the best compromise to make. The shop manual says I need to get them to 0.05 - 0.10,

I can get one exhaust valve to .06 and then have all three other valves at 0.12.

Close enough? Or should I really see that 0.10 upper limit as a hard limit I shouldn't exceed?

Also, should I try to get the clearances on both exhaust valves to be as close to each other as possible (and same for intake)? Or does it not really matter so long as they're all within spec?
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1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys
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  • sbc1320
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Re: Valve shim clearances

30 Dec 2013 15:45
#616785
Don't want too much clearance and have any shims jump out on you.

You wouldn't feel any difference in power on the street just as long as they are within spec.
1980 KZ1000 LTD-B4(MK II engine) - Progressive suspension, MTC pistons, Dynojet Stage III, all wear items replaced, WFO paint scheme(1978), etc..

Past bikes- 2 1976 Kz900's, 5 1975-76 Honda CB750's, Honda 500 -4, Honda 250, Honda 125, Honda 100, Suzuki RM 250, Honda XL350, Kawasaki KLR 650, etc..

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  • 80B4
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Re: Valve shim clearances

30 Dec 2013 17:07
#616789
.10mm is .003937inch and .12mm is .004724 inch. It will be fine at .12mm,
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1978 Z1R
1978 B3 750

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  • bountyhunter
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Re: Valve shim clearances

30 Dec 2013 19:46
#616804
Topper wrote: So I'm doing the valve shim shimmy. I've checked my clearances and am trying to get all four valves on my '79 KZ750 within spec by swapping around shims and using some of the shims that I've collected since the last time I set the clearances.

I can't quite get within spec and I'm wondering what's the best compromise to make. The shop manual says I need to get them to 0.05 - 0.10,

I can get one exhaust valve to .06 and then have all three other valves at 0.12.
IMHO, best range is 0.05 to 0.15.

Looser is better than too tight.

I keep mine in the .003" to .005" range.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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Re: Valve shim clearances

30 Dec 2013 19:48
#616805
Somebody posted before that Kawi had "officially" opened up the upper limit to .006" (.015 mm). Like I said, I like .003" to .005" range.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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  • Topper
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Re: Valve shim clearances

31 Dec 2013 05:31
#616832
Hmmm, if I can really go all the way up to .015 I might want to swap them around again.

Is there any benefit in trying to get them to match?
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1979 KZ750 Twin
2009 Kawasaki Versys

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Re: Valve shim clearances

31 Dec 2013 12:30
#616882
Topper wrote: Hmmm, if I can really go all the way up to .015 I might want to swap them around again.

Is there any benefit in trying to get them to match?
not that I know of.
1979 KZ-750 Twin

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