So I measured the valve clearances with a feeler gauge and the intakes were within spec, however the both exhaust were between .089 and .10

My question is: what is the best procedure and tools to use to remove the shims.  I have tried unsuccessfully to get them out of there.

-Erik

since you missed out on buying my valve shim tool, the next easiest way is to put the bike on the centerstand.
put into 6th gear.
spin bucket till the notch is pointing to the back of the motor
turn rear wheel till exaust lobe pushes down the bucket
insert 11/16ths wrench into gap between bucket and cam
while holding wrench steady turn wheel back to take the spring load off the cam lobe and onto the wrench.
insert a jewelers flat screwdriver (or other sharp pointy tool) into the notch to brake the oil seal.
use magnet to pull shim out
put new shim in
rotate cam to release wrench
repeat on other side.

does that help?

I actually removed the cam already.  I was not sure if it was oil that was holding the shim in place and did not want to pry on in until I knew that it would come out.  Thanks for your help.

Yea have had that before ... Was afraid to do at it with a tweezer ... so I would use compressed air ... spray in that crevise ... and it will bubble up the oil and lift out the shim ... then I found out ... Tweezers ... dont make a mark on it ... so I went to those ...
Cool.
Srinath.

After attempts with a small screwdriver, dental picks, and compressed air- a 5 lb. magnet finally did the trick!  Maybe this gets easier the more you do it but what a pain in the #%& for the first try.

-Erik