valve clearance

[ktrim]

is the clearance supposed to be .03-.08mm or .003-.008 inches?  I have found references to both when doing a search.  My intakes seem to check good but the exhaust are out of wack,  Just cant tell how much because I dont know the tolerences.  My left exhaust is .102mm and the right is .140mm.  Does that seem extremely large based on what you have all seen?  does the exhaust usually wear quicker then the intake?  the bike has 7900 miles,  the valves have never been checked to my knowledge

[cernunos]

.03-.08 mm is correct. Love the little White Owl, Hawaii (Kona Gold), and this forum.

C........

[ktrim]

change the previous not left exhaust is .180mm right is .152mm,  is this normal?  I understand that it is out of spec, just seems like alot when the directions say to go .05 thicker or thinner.  I need to go .15 and .12 thicker.  just seems like alot

[cernunos]

That's quite a bit of clearance compared to the spec. Everybody here says the Baby tends to tighten the valves up due to seat and valve face wear...so it is odd that you have them loose. Unless someone had set them loose previously. Love the little GS, Indiana (Indy 500), and this forum.

C.......

[ktrim]

current shims are 260 on both sides,  what do I need to buy?  when I bought the bike it had 1200miles and had been sitting in a garage for 7 years Ive had it for 3 years and have not ridden it much.  my brother borrowed it a yeaar ago and kept it for a year.  wondering if the startup after sitting so long did some damage :dunno:

[cernunos]

Mic the shims to see exactly what they are. Add the clearance you had on each valve. Subtract the clearance you want. That will be the size you want (or as close to as you can get). Love the Baby GS, Ohio (Cleveland rocks), and this forum.

C........

[cernunos]

See man, if you get that Buell you won't have to worry about shims. Love the little GS, China (what a population count), and this forum.

C........

[ktrim]

I know ,  I should just buy a buell.  still gotta fix the gs.  speaking of buell,  last week I drove 40 miles to a dealership tocheck out a used cyclone,  guess what --- it was sold.  little thing the forgot to tell me when I called.  but they do have a nice 650cc 1978 yamaha that I could check out instead of the buell. what a waste of time!!

[DerekNC]

270 or 275 for the left side.

270 for the right side.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Like Cernonos said it's a good idea to check the shim size with a caliper or micrometer just to be sure.

Derek

[Rema1000]

Does that seem extremely large based on what you have all seen?

It seems pretty large.  Be sure you're not pressing the shim down into the bucket as you check.    When the feeler gauge is pushed through, it will slide easily when it is too thin.  When the gauge is a little too thick, it will "catch" as you try to gently slide it in... then it will sort-of "pop" and slide through anyways.  I think the "pop" is when it pushes the bucket down a little bit, forcing its way through.  So just be sure it is actually sliding through easily, and not pushing the bucket down.

If you do go thicker on the shims, be sure to check that you can still spin the buckets with your finger; that is, you can push on the edge of the bucket, and it will turn.  If not, then you might have made it too tight, by accident.  As long as you can spin the buckets, then you probably won't do any damage.

[ktrim]

the valves have aways been extremely noisey.  even more so after riding for a whie and the engine being hot.  I dont have a mic available at the moment but I wont be surprised if the shims werent damaged after it sat so long.  one of the shimms actually has what appears to be rust on it.  dont know,  Ill have to mic it and see???

[ktrim]

finally got it back together,  still need to install the carbs.   I bought new jets (150 main, 40 pilot).  was hoping my flange would be here soon so I could install the wileyco also.  probably have it all done in time to pack it up for the winter!!!   Still haven't got to ride yet this year..  had to go to 3 different dealers to get the shims I needed.  had to gotto 4 shops to get the jets.  getting tired of it.  think I might donate it to the wife and go by the buell or an sv1000.. :dunno:

[cernunos]

Get the Buell...very unique. Go to Badweatherbikers website for lotsa info and comeraderie. Like the Baby, Buells (XBs are da bomb!), and this forum.

C.......