How 'Generic' are our valve shims?

[red_phil]

Hi All.
My local Suzuki Stealership has gone fun bags up earlier this year.
I now need to get some valve shims.

Question is; Do I need specific Suzuki GS500 shims or are they a standard size?
I have a few local bike garages, but none of them are suzuki dealers and hence they don't carry a stock of Suzuki parts.

I was hoping that some other bikes out there use the same size shims so I could get those.

[jsamaniego]

I heard that Triumph bikes use the same diameter shims (29,5 mm).
Never checked it personally, so take it as a MAY BE...

my 2 cents ...

[MarkusN]

According to this page: http://www.procycle-online.com/hotcams/valve_shims.htm

29.5 are pretty generic for suzukis, but not for other brands.

[The Buddha]

Get the kit, It has plenty of shims ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[red_phil]

Thanks.
I guess I'll ask the local garages if they'll order them in, even though the aren't a Suzuki specialist.

The kit might be a problem as I'm in Scotland, I don't believe there is a UK kit.

[scratch]

The kits should be useable internationally.  29.5mm is indigineous to Suzuki, no other maker uses them.

[corndog67]

Personally, I would use stock Suzuki shims.  There's no telling what kind of material the others are made of, especially if they are cheap chinese copies.  You wouldn't want those things getting soft on you at 8,000 rpm, things could get real expensive. 

[sledge]

Phil?
Give these people a call, they are regarded by many as the best place in the UK to source `difficult` Suzuki spares. I have used them many times never had a problem. About 5yrs ago they had no problems finding parts for my then 20 yrs old GT250 Ramair. Downside is you have to pay carriage. If its any consolation my local Suzuki dealer also went `Pop` late last year, nearest is now 32 miles away so I buy the majority of my spares on-line now
http://www.suzuki-spares.co.uk/start.htm

[rangerbrown]

Get the kit, It has plenty of shims ...
Cool.
Srinath.

100$ for 18 shims what is a f%$king rip off

[veeref]

Get the kit, It has plenty of shims ...
Cool.
Srinath.

100$ for 18 shims what is a f%$king rip off

That's like $5.55 a piece.. that's about average what the dealers here charge per shim.

[tealetm]

The shims in my triumph are 25mm- which reversely were the equivalent of "old suzuki shims".  Not sure which type of suzuki though.

A shim is a shim- they shouldn't wear faster than you check it anyway.