Valve clearance too tight?? '77 KZ650

I've been doing it that way for 40 yrs also........ only way to really make sure your on the base circle of the cam..the other way your guessing if it's enough degree's before or after the ramp starts towards the lobe....
The clearance tightens up because the valve seat is being constantly pounded into the head, allowing the valve,bucket and shim to get closer to the cam lobe....

Hey all,

Thanks for the replies and discussion! I took the advice given into consideration and double checked my numbers using the 180 method (my FSM hadn't arrived in the mail yet).


EXHAUST (mm)
1 - .076
2 - [strike].063[/strike] .051
3 - [strike].063[/strike] .076
4 - .051

INTAKE (mm)
5 - .076
6 - .102
7 - .076
8 - [strike].063[/strike] .076

SHIMS
EXHAUST
1 - 265
2 - 265
3 - 265
4 - 265

INTAKE
5 - 265
6 - 270
7 - 280
8 - 270

Looks like you have lots of wiggle room. Should last a good long time.
Steve

I would double check those measurements. ALL of them except #6 Intake are too tight, and that is not good. The spec is 0.08 - 0.18mm. If you measured the clearances correctly you need to adjust. Ed

swest wrote: Looks like you have lots of wiggle room. Should last a good long time.
Steve

Not so on the KZ650. All but one are too tight. Ed

I was talking about the shim sizes. Wish mine were in that range.
Steve

Sorry, I misunderstood. You are correct he has plenty of shim sizes left before he hits a limit. Ed

swest wrote: I was talking about the shim sizes. Wish mine were in that range.
Steve

I know what you mean. the last time i adjusted the shims on my KZ650 I had two that needed a 230.

I triple checked these numbers, and I'll check the clearance after the new shims are added.

650ed wrote: I would double check those measurements. ALL of them except #6 Intake are too tight, and that is not good. The spec is 0.08 - 0.18mm. If you measured the clearances correctly you need to adjust. Ed

Does that mean I should shoot for 0.13mm as the new clearance?

I used 0.13mm to calculate the shim size I need:

1 - 2.596
2 - 2.571
3 - 2.596
4 - 2.571

5 - 2.596
6 - 2.672
7 - 2.746
8 - 2.646

So, the new shim size I need is:

1 - 2.60
2 - 2.55
3 - 2.60
4 - 2.55

5 - 2.60
6 - no change
7 - 2.75
8 - 2.65


Do those numbers check out? I'm going to order the new shims through Z1, along with some new rubber cam plugs.

Happy Holidays!
-Stephen

650ed wrote: Sorry, I misunderstood. You are correct he has plenty of shim sizes left before he hits a limit. Ed

Are the under lifter shims the same range 200-300?

Maybe I should have "tipped" my valves this last time around. I'm at 215 on a couple of them.
Steve

swest wrote:

650ed wrote: Sorry, I misunderstood. You are correct he has plenty of shim sizes left before he hits a limit. Ed

Are the under lifter shims the same range 200-300?

The KZ650 shims range from 2.00mm to 3.20mm. Ed