I have done a lot of searching and cant find an answer to my question.  I am in the middle of adjusting my valves.  Three are currently so tight that I cannot get a measurement, the fourth is OK.  What is the suggested size drop to start with for this problem?  I plan on ordering one 2.1 shim to use to measure.  I would also like to order the sizes to get me closeset if possible.  The buckets currently spin by hand so they are not super tight but have zero clearance.  The current sizes are 2.70 on both exh and 2.60 on both intake.   I dont want to order shims, install, measure, and then order shims, install, again.   I am anxious to get this thing on the road. 

I have owned it for 3 months and have not riden it yet.  Does anyone know of a shop in the Phoenix area that has the 29.5 shims in stock?  If I have to wait 2 more weeks for two different orders of shims, I am going to go crazy.

Dont measure with a random size shim. The damn thing floats on oil and acts like its much larger. measure once, swap out if needed and forget it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Right, if that were my bike I'd record the clearance on the 3 tighter valves as .001" or .03 mm and button it up and ride it till I got some shims.  As long as you can rotate the bucket with your finger tip it has a bit of clearance.  Valve clearance increases as the engine warms up.

I'd order a 2.65 and a 2.60 for a 2.70 exhaust and maybe use a 2.60 from an intake on the other.  Get a couple 2.55 and a couple 2.50 for the 2.60 intakes and if you don't need them all this time you'll probable need them next time for the exhausts.  You don't say which valve is OK.

I've found intake shims rarely if ever change and exhaust shims keep getting smaller in 130k miles of GS500 riding:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/?action=view&current=valveclearances.jpg

I've been thinking in inches for 75 years so I mark them down that way.   

Thanks Jack.  That's about what I have on order as of an hour ago.  The right side intake is the good one.  It is a project, so the valves are not the only thing that is still needed.  But because of the wait I keep starting other little side jobs in addition that are taking up time.