Valve clearance and getting shim out without tool for it

[Eal90]

Hi,

I got that slight problem that I have really hard time starting my bike exspecially at cold days(Yeah that she just wont start).
Anyways now is winter time I'm doing maintenance.
So I did check valve clearances, 3/4 was 0.04 or 0.05mm wich should be all fine. But at the last one(left exhaust valve) I couldnt even put through 0.02mm feeler gauge. Anyways I did open those four bolts that keeps cam chain axel in its place(whatever correct word for those are). Did use little bit screwdriver for cranking it up enough so I can just pickup shim with pliers, anyways is this somehow wrongway of doing it and can cause some damage?
And I guess i should try thinner shim next, maybe 0,05mm thinner or should I buy more than one size and try, any ideas wich is best place to buy those? 

[twocool]

Well,  A few people take the shims out by taking loose the camshaft...

But to me this is not a good method and asking for trouble.

A few people use a screwdriver or some home made modified tool to depress the shim bucket to remove the shim.  If you are careful, this method should work...but to me this can also make for problems.

You can buy the correct shim tool from Motion Pro and just about every online motorcycle supply has this too...it not expensive.

Some people have trouble with this tool...it can slip off if it is not used correctly....hence these people resort to method #1 and #2 above.

If you learn how to use the tool properly...it will work perfectly every time....   It will not damage anything...and it make the valve check an easier job.

I use a big long tweezers to grab the shims....I first use a really tiny screwdriver to pop the shim up and out of the bucket , then the tweezers to grab...sometimes I use a magnet on a stick to grab the shim.

When working on the valve shims...it is a good idea to stuff a rag or something into the place were the cam chain is...you don't want to drop anything down into there !

I buy my OEM parts from SHS powersports

http://www.shspowersports.com/

Buy only OEM Suzuki shims...do not buy after market shims...the other brands are too hard an brittle and have been know to crack into pieces and ruin the engine.

If you are going to continue to do maintenance on your bike, and you intend to keep the bike for a while, and If you order the shim through the internet...you're going to pay for shipping...so it makes sense to order some extras...in sizes you think you may need in the future....typically one and two sizes smaller than what you are now running...this way, on the next valve check...you will have the parts you need right in the tool box.




http://www.dansmc.com/dohc2.jpg



Cookie

Hi,

I got that slight problem that I have really hard time starting my bike exspecially at cold days(Yeah that she just wont start).
Anyways now is winter time I'm doing maintenance.
So I did check valve clearances, 3/4 was 0.04 or 0.05mm wich should be all fine. But at the last one(left exhaust valve) I couldnt even put through 0.02mm feeler gauge. Anyways I did open those four bolts that keeps cam chain axel in its place(whatever correct word for those are). Did use little bit screwdriver for cranking it up enough so I can just pickup shim with pliers, anyways is this somehow wrongway of doing it and can cause some damage?
And I guess i should try thinner shim next, maybe 0,05mm thinner or should I buy more than one size and try, any ideas wich is best place to buy those?

[J_Walker]

A strong magnet can work instead of tweezers. that's what I use. because sometimes the buckets don't want to turn to get to the little open notch to fit a tiny screw driver into the slot, under the shim.

I for one, am one of those people who remove the cams to take out the shims. for me at least, its easier then fussing with tools to push down the buckets. and at the same time getting a magnet in there to try to pull out the shims.

one thing I will say, STUFF A RAG into where the timing chain is coming from. you lose a shim down into the transmission... well lets just say its not fun.

[Eal90]

Thanks guys! Got it up and running!
Hope there's no really matter for moment for those cam holders, just did tighten'em with feeling 

[J_Walker]

Thanks guys! Got it up and running!
Hope there's no really matter for moment for those cam holders, just did tighten'em with feeling 

just don't over tighten them... the valve head will keep them from flying off/going wild, as you saw there's 4 bolts that go into the cam boots themselves, then two that go directly into the engines case.

[Eal90]

Yeah. They should be all fine. I dont use excessive force for any bolts, like tight and 90 degrees after that..
Buddha did pm me after askin couple questions to get "oem" shims and not buy those cheap shits from ebay, local dealer did order them for me from Japan. Anyways I'm not going to keep this bike much longer, I want bigger bike 
This bike is all okay, but it's too small from size and from power. Good first bike, going to get card for full size motorbike at summer