Valve job tools..????

[GSF500]

I decided to get the tools to do a valve job on my 07gsf and i watched the youtube video on how to do it. The video shows Baltimore gs using a valve shim tool MP08-0017 motion pro. Do I need this tool..?? I read some people just use a screwdriver. Amazon has the tool for $16.35 and feeler gauge OEM 25025 26-Blade Master Feeler Gauge $3.99 will these gauges work? I have know idea what feeler gauges I need. Just adding to the list of things to do.

[slipperymongoose]

I bought one and used it, I mean you could dodge it but if your not expirenced and not careful you could do some damage. Get the tool and be sure and do it right. As us the saying do it once do it right.

[weedahoe]

You can buy a full OEM tool kit off ebay for around 20. It's decent to keep around.

[EDIT] My bad. I looked on ebay for you and seen they don't come in the kit like I thought they did.

I did at one point have the kit that was floating around the site and the valve tool did make it easy to swap the shims.

[Funderb]

I feel like all you need is the bucket/spring compressor, some feeler gauges from autozone, and a pair of needle nose pliers.

and some shims? maybe a good caliper.  what am i missing? unless you want to pull the cams, yes, you need a shim tool.

[jestercinti]

BUY A SHIM TOOL.  Without it, you have to take the camshaft off I reckon.

[GSF500]

Thanks, I will get tools, thought i would run it by someone before I spend the money.

[gsJack]

Too many have had problems resulting from pulling cams to change shims, stripped threads, broken cam caps, valve timing off, chain tensioner problems, etc.  I wouldn't consider disturbing the cams for a shim change unless you have a shim under buckets engine and have to.

[The Buddha]

Taking off teh cam shaft is not that hard ... if you ahve the carbs off anyway, might as well take off the CCT and the cam shafts ...
I have done it both ways ... the shim tool I dont even know if I have one ... years since mine was used.
Cool.
Buddha.

[stokes776]

Buy the shim tool.  Yeah you can get them off with a screwdriver and needlenose, but it is a royal PITA.  I was able to remove all four shims with it but ended up snapping two screwdrivers and breaking just the metal tip off a third, cutting my hand somewhere in the process.

Hope the engine appreciates the blood.

Bought the shim tool and it is so easy now.  Just think of it as an investment against frustration, get yourself a magnetic pickup tool as well and REMEMBER to shove a shop rage down the gap.

I dropped my shim tool down the gap and had to run to the store to get a magnetic pickup.  The pickup helps not only for retrieving tools, but also works great with the shim tool to remove those shims.

As for your feeler guages, that set has a smallest at .038, which means you wont be exactly at the .03 tolerance, just close.  It will work in a pinch.

http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Metric-Thickness-Feeler-0-02-1mm/dp/B0050MM6QO/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1351809831&sr=1-2&keywords=metric+feeler+gauge

Note the Blade Type(mm): .02, .03, .04,...

Makes it easier to determine the exact measurements you are off by.  This same guage I got from ebay for like 5 bucks, here on amazon its 7, so take your pick.

[GSF500]

Thanks for the info, it's a big help

[mchollan]

If you don't want to spend $15 per shim get them here:

http://newmotorcycleparts.com/motor_parts/valve_shims.html

for about $5.

[adidasguy]

Some shops will trade shims. Price went up here - used to be $1 now it is $2. Take in your shim and if they have what you need they will trade for $2.

Around here we all combined our shims into one box with a couple shim tools. Then bought what was needed to fill in the gaps. We're ready for all valve jobs here.

2 tools are handy because sometimes you can just move a shim from one bucket to another. Reduces the number of shims you really need.

Measure and determine your clearances. Then measure the shims and determine what you need in each place. You will probably find you can move some and only need to buy maybe 2 new shims.

[Bluesmudge]

Don't take the cams off unless you know what you are doing to get the engine's timing correct. Best to get the shim tool, figure out how to use it. Once you get a feel for the tool I think its actually as fast as removing the cams and you have less chance of messing something up.

[adidasguy]

1. 19mm wrench to rotate the engine from the timing rotor.
2. Motion Pro shim tool
3. Small screw driver to lift up the shim
4. Strong magnetic pickup thingy to gently grab hold of the shim and lift it out. Cheap - like a 1/4" shaft with a strong magnet attached to the end

Other things that might help: Needle nose pliers, maybe long strong tweezers. Long, ball end allen wrenches for your socket wrench make getting the valve cover bolts real easy.

Don't forget a valve cover gasket just in case. There is a front and a back to it so if it doesn't fit - you got it on backwards (don't ask how I know - I don't want to embarrass anyone - but it was funny!)

Oh, yea - a digital caliper or micrometer because what is stamped on the shims (unless new) isn't always how thick they are now.

[jestercinti]

My motorcycle shop does a 1:1 swap.  My shim for theirs.  Does not depend on the size.  Free.  Not bad.  Might be good to have a test-shim for those too-close-to-call moments.  I have had to go down 2 sizes before.

[Bluesmudge]

1. 19mm wrench to rotate the engine from the timing rotor.
2. Motion Pro shim tool
3. Small screw driver to lift up the shim
4. Strong magnetic pickup thingy to gently grab hold of the shim and lift it out. Cheap - like a 1/4" shaft with a strong magnet attached to the end

Other things that might help: Needle nose pliers, maybe long strong tweezers. Long, ball end allen wrenches for your socket wrench make getting the head gasket bolts real easy.

Don't forget a head gasket just in case. There is a front and a back to it so if it doesn't fit - you got it on backwards (don't ask how I know - I don't want to embarrass anyone - but it was funny!)

Oh, yea - a digital caliper or micrometer because what is stamped on the shims (unless new) isn't always how thick they are now.

Valve cover gasket and bolts, not head gasket/bolts. If you need a new head gasket to check your valve clearances you might be riding your bike upside-down.

[adidasguy]

Go by what I mean, not what I wrote. Remember I'm just a dumb blond. 

Eye fixeded eat.

[yamahonkawazuki]

meh i am hte dumb blonde here. we used to have a valve shim/tool kit, east and west coast that flaoted around amongst members. when one was finished, tehy sent it to next person that needed it. wonder whatever happened to that. i know kerry had one floating/making the rounds. then it stopped.

[GSF500]

Thanks... Tools are on order and the posts are entertaining LOts of great advice