WEST coast-kerry's valve adjusting kit?

[rah]

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum. I have a '96 GS500 and she's coming up on 4000 miles. According to the service schedule, I'm due for a valve clearance check, and potentially an adjustment to follow. I'm thinking that the kit would really help me out. I've gone through Kerry's video (most excellent) and I've done the reading online as well as in my Hanes manual. I think I'm ready to go - except for the tools and the shims (if required).

I've got a couple of questions though :

(1) The Hanes manual talks about replacing the valve cover o-rings. Is that necessary? and if so... are these stock o-rings that I can pick up from the local Schucks Auto Supply? What size do I ask for?

(2) I haven't opened her up yet, but I do have feeler gauges. Would it be best for me to check and see of the shims need to be swapped out first, or get the kit and then check the clearance? I'd like the kit, but I don't want to request it prematurely.

Thanks for any help you can lend me.

[Juan1]

1.  No, it isn't necessary, but it is a decent idea to make sure all of yours are intact.
2.  You're now #1 on the list, so I can just send you the kit if you'd like.

[rah]

Well I figure if no-one else is on the list, then I'm not holding anyone up. Please send it to me, and I will have it handy in case I need to use it. I'll send it along as soon as someone else requests the kit.

Thanks 

[Farakin]

Juan,

Just Pm'd you.  I was back in CHicago on business didn't check my email.

All you guys in Phoenix.......if Juan sends me the kit I have the garage space to put 4 bikes (more like a carport, but hey) we can do it all together if you want.  I am in East Mesa.

[rah]

Hi guys - I checked the valve clearances this weekend - and I do need to make and adjustment on the right-side exhaust valve.

Juan - I'm not sure if you sent the kit out to Farakin or not yet - but it sounds like he's ready to put it to work. Whatever works for you guys is good with me. Just so long as I'm on the list and I get the kit eventually. Thanks!

[Juan1]

The kit is en route to Farakin's.  It should arrive Friday or Saturday.

[rah]

Sounds good. Let me know when you plan to be done with the kit. I suspect you'll want some weekend time with it Farakin. I'd appreciate you sending it to me when you're finished with it. Thanks 

[Farakin]

Yeah, thanks Juan.  I will try and knock a couple GS's from the valley hopefully

[Farakin]

Got the kit yesterday, thanks for sending it, will try and tackle this weekend.

[cyrusyn]

I would like to be on the Kerry's valve adjusting kit list.
Can I get this kit by middle of May?

[rah]

Should be possible. I'm getting the kit when Farakin is done - but I've already checked my clearances and I know that I have only one valve clearance to adjust - so I'm hoping that I can do this quickly.

[Farakin]

I have to order some smaller shims that aren't in the kit.  Bad news is it will take me a bit longer, good news is, I am buying extra smaller shims for the kit  :/

[rah]

Cool by me. My initial measurements tell me that I'm going to need a narrower shim than stock - so I'd likely have to buy one anyway. Where do you buy shims from anyway? 

[caliswangin916]

can i get on the list asap. i'm about due for a checkup which i'll do monday and it seems possible that i will need an adjustment.

can someone evealuate this for me?
i have an 06 with 18k miles, 11k of which i put on in the last year. i don't know of prior service but when i got the bike(7k miles) it was running fine. idle held very steady at 1300 rpm(what i remember). i've yet to check the valves because it runs great.
my symptoms now are:
1. idle(needle) hovers ~1250-1350 rpm.
2. the right side(when sitting on bike) exhaust pipe gets orange(in the dark) when i have the choke on while the left side does not change color. this started happening maybe 3-4k miles ago. also the same time that i noticed that the bike was emitting more than normal heat during warmup(due to right side pipe getting hot.
3. the bike after warmup runs fine. no problems at all.

[cyrusyn]

A few questions about this mailing list.
How should I know if my turn for the kit is up?
How should I provide my mailing address?
Just would like to know the drill for passing down this kit to next person.

[pandy]

How should I know if my turn for the kit is up?

Keep an eye on this thread, and also the person who has the kit generally messages the next person on the list.

How should I provide my mailing address?

You PM your name/address to the person who has the kit.

Just would like to know the drill for passing down this kit to next person.

When you're finished with the kit, you check this thread to see who's next in line, and then you send them a PM. Post up here that you're finished, too.

It's best to keep a running list here, so anyone who adds their name to the list should update the list in their post.

This looks like the list at the moment (feel free to correct it, though!):
Farakin (has kit?)
rah
cyrusyn
caliswangin916

Does that look about right? 

[rah]

The list looks right to me. Still waiting for kit.

[Farakin]

I'm back...sorry about hanging on to the kit for so long, but I got into a bad car accident when I was visiting some friends in Chicago...had a nasty break in my arm, separated shoulder, and a Steve Young like concussion....

But, I am back in AZ...Who gets the kit?

[rah]

Dude,

Sorry to hear about your arm!   

You can send the kit to me, My address should be in your PM inbox.

[rah]

Everyone, I received the kit in good order last week - but i'll need to hang onto it until the coming weekend if you desperately need it sooner, please let me know.