Project creep is setting in... while I have the carbs removed from the bike I suppose it would be a good time to check the valve clearances. Of course I did not plan ahead for this added task and therefore do not have a cylinder gasket or feeler gages or the valve tool.
Feeler gages... I can find these around town somewhere.
Valve tool... it may be daring but I am willing to try this without a special tool after reading gsjack's method. If this proves to be a bust for me I will try to make a suitable tool.
Gasket... My bike is a 1996 with less than 6,000 miles on it and is in fine condition. But due to the age should I expect that the gasket is dried out? I can push my fingernail into the gasket edge and I do not have great confidence in this test. Ron Ayers web site says it will take 6 days to get the gasket to me. Thoughts?
Might as well check clearance now because you're going to be waiting either way.
It'd be better to order it all at the same time instead of waiting for your new gasket, then checking your clearance and having wait again for new shims.
In the mean time, if you're worried about it leaking, you can always just put some sealant on the bad looking spots.
Depending on how gentle you are removing the cover, you may not need a new gasket. Also, if you are just checking for valve clearance, you won't need the shim tool just yet!
Ain't it fun working on your bike?