VALVE SHIM TOOL?????????????????

[gsJack]

Is this the valve shim tool you are using for the GS500 shim changes?

http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/valve_shim_tools/

Bought one a couple years ago and never could get it to work.      Did my valves again yesterday and again tried it, came close to throwing it in the woods behind my garage.      Think I'll give it to jp to try when he does the valves on my old 97 GS, this dog is getting too old for new tricks.

Changed one shim again with my screwdriver and old Honda wedge, so quick and easy that way, who needs them new fangled tools.   

[debtman7]

That's the one.

Never did get your screwdriver method to work. However after several tries it took me less than five minutes to loose up the cams and pry them up enough pop the shims right out with a magnetic pickup too. After watching the video of trying to use the shim tool, I have no idea why anyone would want to try that rather than just loosening up the cams. I still fear something bad could happen doing it but my bike seems to still run

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Y7

[gsJack]

Well I'll not loosen cams for shim changes, loosen too many times and the hardened bolts start stripping out the threads in the Al head.  Son has experienced that on his old GSs.

Got the notch in the right place before depressing the bucket to place the screwdriver and then just picked up the shim with tweezers.  So quick and easy.

Maybe I'll go back over to the garage and throw that dang tool into the woods anyway.  Have changed at least 8 shims with my trusty Craftsman screwdriver shim tool.  So quick and easy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/valveclearances.jpg

Pulled the cams and head to fix the broken exhaust valve 2 years and 27k miles ago and the 02 is running better than ever at 48k miles, don't expect to pull the cams again before 100k miles.   

[natedawg120]

I have used the screw driver method except for the first time, I had the kit with the tool.  Still havn't had to change a shim yet though.

[debtman7]

Ok, stripping bolts is a concern, that would definately suck. They are torqued pretty low at least.

I still don't get what I'm supposed to do with a screwdriver though. I tried pushing down the bucket, but the bucket lip is so small it's hard to keep the head of a screwdriver on there and push it down enough.

[gsJack]

Need 2 screwdrivers, depress the bucket by prying down bucket in the center of the shim with one and place the 2nd on the edge of the bucket outside the shim to hold bucket down and pull out the first one.  I should have taken pics yesterday.

I think the thread stripping is more likely on old bikes where the cam caps haven't been loosened for a long time and you get that steel-alumunum freeze/seize.

[trumpetguy]

I customized my shim tool by grinding some of the start of the ramp down.  It seems to be a little easier to get started now.

It's hard to describe what I'm talking about, but near the point of the hook on the tool, I ground away a bit of the ridge that is supposed to bear on the bucket so that the ridge is more gently started.  It is now easier to control the placement of the tool and once engaged, it is working on the part of the tool I didn't grind on.

I have had to replace 3 shims (not counting putting the test shim in and out a few times) and it worked better after I modified it.  It's still a PITA.

[gsJack]

I understand, that's what I thought looking at the tool yesterday, need some taper on the leading edge that goes in to wedge the bucket down.

[trumpetguy]

I'm still going to try the GSJack two screwdriver method next time!  That sounds easier than my modified tool.

Or maybe one screwdriver then the tool.

[jp]

That is the tool. Had one 25 years ago when I had my 78 750, but gave it to a buddy when I bought my 82. I'll gladly take it off your hands if you don't want it. Tonight I get to chain, sprockets, & rear brakes. Was going to do it last night, but the wife sprained her ankle, & by the time I was done helping her, I didn't get anything accomplished on the 97. But I did pull the Quicksilver fairing off the 80, and took some measurements to figure out how to fabricate a mounting bracket for the 97.

[dgyver]

I use the same MP tool worked fine for me. Also, I use a magnetic pick-up tool to remove the shims.

Just make sure you stuff a rag in the timing chain slot. It is not fun having a shim disappear in to the abyss.

[debtman7]

I use the same MP tool worked fine for me. Also, I use a magnetic pick-up tool to remove the shims.

Just make sure you stuff a rag in the timing chain slot. It is not fun having a shim disappear in to the abyss.

I lost a screwdriver down there. Magnetic pickup tools are well worth the cost...

[trumpetguy]

Just make sure you stuff a rag in the timing chain slot. It is not fun having a shim disappear in to the abyss.

+1 

Before I remembered this, I dropped the tool itself down the hole -- it popped out and was sucked in by the Peter Principle.  Fortunately, needle-nose pliers reached it and then I stuffed a rag in.  DOH!!

[Egaeus]

I've never had a problem using the Motion Pro tool.

[gsJack]

That is the tool. Had one 25 years ago when I had my 78 750, but gave it to a buddy when I bought my 82. I'll gladly take it off your hands if you don't want it.

It's yours, I'll know where to find it if I should ever need it again.   

[gsJack]

My valve shim tools:

[coll0412]

The suzuki pro-motion tool is not designed to be used how we use it on the GS. Its designed for 4V heads where it goes between the buckets, and the radius of the curve matches that of the cam.

With that said, I have the promotion tool and it works great, I have never had any problems at all using it.

[ben2go]

Some one do a write up with pics or a video!I gotta do my valves.Damn thang sounds like it has solid lifters and loose rocker arms.

[bucks1605]

Some one do a write up with pics or a video!I gotta do my valves.Damn thang sounds like it has solid lifters and loose rocker arms.

Is this what you're looking for?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2015554469142545363&q=suzuki+gs500