Where to get feeler for valve clearance?

[smoker]

Where can I get ahold of a feeler gauge to check my valve clearances?  I've read thru the how-to several times, and the only thing holding me back is getting a feeler with small enough blades...(0.03mm-0.08mm).
I've got some mechanic friends who can probably get one from the Snap-On guy, but I'd like to keep both arms and legs...  Any help? :dunno:

Gibb

[dgyver]

Most any auto parts store or Sears will carry them.

[Kerry]

Richard is measuring his too-thin-to-measure valve clearances as we speak.  We went with an idea that I got from good ol' JohNLA - go to the dealer and buy the thinnest shim he's got.  This lets you measure your clearances with thicker feeler blades.

How?  Let's say your clearance is too small to measure with your thinnest blade.  Pop out the shim and pop in the thin one you bought from the dealer.  Rotate the engine a few times to squeeze out any oil under the shim, and measure the clearance with a thicker feeler blade (or a combination of blades).

Use the valve shim selection chart from the Haynes manual to figure out which new shim thickness to buy.

Keep the "thin shim" in a safe place.  It will be useful as long as you own the bike.

EDIT: Changed link from sisna.com to bbburma.net.

[TheGoodGuy]

i got to do my valves some time soon..

oh well i just crossed 10K so that's something i got to remember to do when i hit 16 or whatever.

[smoker]

thanks... I picked one up at AutoZone for $3..  Now if my dealer would only carry the right pilot jets, I could do it all at once :x  :x  :x .  Ohbytheway, my local mechanic (a good friend of mine) thought I was smokin crack when I told him what the clearances were supposed to be.  But then again, he's not used to working on bikes.

Gibb

[richard]

Mine is at a little over 15K, and *wow* they were off a lot... I think that might be why I've been having probs.  I'd check 'em soon, just to be safe... I'm a little worried that something might be damaged 'cause mine have been so bad for so long.

I'll post more details in it's own thread, since I have some questions that I want feedback to. =]