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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: jameejamz on July 27, 2024, 11:27:56 AM

Title: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: jameejamz on July 27, 2024, 11:27:56 AM
Hello all.

I wanted your opinion(s) on the following valve shim kit.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294185150655?epid=171202472&itmmeta=01J3TN4NSDZE9718HPFS0TXARZ&hash=item447ecd28bf:g:CsMAAOSwtfhYpgFk&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8H7FJ8jh3Izfqz%2FYkxTu33g14zOX3zI6%2FcKBSH7p9sj5UiYOLlz9uxVGvpWY10J5Nv8tEqq%2BJoBiaMSPDAno9xOvHhdcgreTg4FXU9aPyFNeYbiTQjqKaOsVeLz%2FYQL4xpJfPmp%2B6IfN1e%2FyZb1gmjlgwITZcfYw97NRVmm%2B8q5wTLK87IXHBavKijmxaNsA1cPKArce7yf1ev5NT%2B66hu3JIBTJn977mLwUoSLV%2BK1Lwm2SZP3wu8z3gxegg59A1UjymXPbSA3R9GDyJqDlIXwEk6uJo8yx4AYpS4SBWymOQxJppsJyQ8CMd1WxnZxJOg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-bcktWeZA

While I know that I'll likely never need all of these different sizes, my situation is that I don't have a garage but a shared parking deck. I really don't like the idea of opening up the top of the engine to measure and then order the appropriate shims, only to leave my bike disassembled in the meantime. I'm also pretty sure my HOA would disapprove. So, my biggest question is will this kit likely contain all the sizes I might need? My only other real alternative is to take the bike in to a mechanic for valve adjustment and they'll likely want way much money.

Hit me.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: moe_tunes on July 27, 2024, 03:19:55 PM
I would take a different approach to the job.
I have owned my GS for 5 years now and do all the work on it myself. Every June and December I change the oil and check the valve clearances as per the manual. All up at a relaxed pace it is about an hours worth of work with some cleaning and bolt tension checking along the way. With the valve cover gasket being a rubber reusable type there is no cost involved in checking the clearances exept for time so in your situation I would check the clearances, bolt the bike back up and if needed order the shim/s and a week or two later fit the shims. Unless a valve is massively out of spec there is no need to leave the bike disassembled.
One thing I have learnt is to pull the spark plugs and turn the engine over for two full revolutions to squeeze the oil out from under the shims before checking the clearnces.

Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: Armandorf on July 30, 2024, 01:29:03 AM
Great tip to squeeze the oil out, the same oil that makes renoval very hard, i absorb it with something.
How much this could change the measurement?