Valve Shims

[G.Rossman]

Just checked 3 of the 4 shim gaps.  My smallest gauge is .05mm and didn't full fit in any of them.  So I'm debating about tracking down a .03mm to try.  At the end of the day I'm going to need to shim them regardless it looks like.  Just over 6k miles on it from previous owners I'm guessing they have never been checked before.  Any thoughts on shims going forward?

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[Slack]

Put the next size down shim in and recheck the gap. If it's a little too large then the old shim was between 3-5, so swap back to the first.

[G.Rossman]

Most guys going higher to the .07 or .08mm level?

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[twocool]

Suzuki make the clearances pretty tight from the factory.

Can you rotate the buckets?  If so there is at least "some" gap.

Sometimes you can "swap" one or more of the shims you already have installed, to get the clearance you need on a couple of the valves

Example...If #1 exhaust is 295...and it measures "tight"...you might find that #2 intake is a 290...so put that in the #1 exhaust, and check it again...

This can give you a good idea of what you have, and where you need to be...and what to buy...

Sometimes you can move as many as three shims, and only have to buy one!  Then again, shims are cheap, but shipping is costly...so you may want to order a few shims of sizes you can predict you will need in the future..

The OEM shims that come in the bike from the factory  are not usually "even numbers"..they are probably like 293....or 289...so this can throw you a bit.  Buy only Suzuki OEM shims!!  These will come in even numbers....Save any shims you take out....you may use them in the future...especially the odd sized ones can come in handy..

Another trick....using your .05....slightly "lift" the valve using the valve tool...then slip the .05 feeler in there...then slowly release the valve...you may be surprised that the gap is actually larger than you first thought...If the feeler gets bit (grabs) ...you know the clearance is smaller than the feeler...but sometimes with this method..the feeler will slide around in there...even though you couldn't insert it when the valve is closed..

.03mm feeler is hard to come by...and hard to work with since it is so thin and bendy...

My  thinnest is .04...

I use the .04 and a .09

the .04 is the "go" and the .09 is the "no go"....job done!

Yeah, you could use a .10. or .11 or .12 as the "no go"...at least for the exhaust...


Cookie

Just checked 3 of the 4 shim gaps.  My smallest gauge is .05mm and didn't full fit in any of them.  So I'm debating about tracking down a .03mm to try.  At the end of the day I'm going to need to shim them regardless it looks like.  Just over 6k miles on it from previous owners I'm guessing they have never been checked before.  Any thoughts on shims going forward?

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[Slack]

Shims are in 5 increments, so if it's 2 now, you have no choice but to run 7. That being said, they do tighten with time not loosen, so if you have your choice between 3 and 8, 8 will be in spec longer.
Several of us run a little looser, like 5-10 on the exhaust side, but keep it 3-8 on the intake. I don't know that it really makes that much difference.

[G.Rossman]

Cookie, where do you buy your shims?

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[twocool]

SHS Powersports

http://www.shspowersports.com/

I've ordered all my OEM parts from them since 2010....good service...discounted prices..less than dealer retail...shipping is quick too..

Anybody who sells OEM Suzuki brand parts is OK...but I like these guys so I stick with them.


Cookie

Cookie, where do you buy your shims?

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[twocool]

http://www.shspowersports.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=1044538&category=Motorcycles&make=SUZUKI&year=2009&fveh=28479

About $10.42 per shim...(List is $13.90)


Cookie

[gsJack]

My 97 had an exhaust valve running at the minimum Suzuki spec and required frequent changes and was down to a min 215 shim at 80k miles.  When my 02 started the same pattern at 30k miles I caught on and increased the exhaust valve clearances to .003-.005" (.08-.13mm).  Suzuki tolerance is too tight for exhausts and doesn't allow enough cooling seat time.  Set them a bit wider and they will hold for tens of thousands of miles, set them tight and change shims often.  My valve log showing it all: 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSvalvelogs_zpscvcef42y.jpg