No help eh?  I guess I must succomb to a shop to do it 

Hi Sikdmax,
Are you still having trouble with this?
I can help you.
You have the tool with the ridge underneath, right? The ridge is in the center of the tool?
That ridge is supposed to be what you use to push the shim bucket down.
It can be a bit strange sliding it in and pushing the bucket down because it takes pressure to insert it abd you amy be concerned that you are using too much pressure.
As long as you have turned the crank and positioned the cams correctly, you will be fine. Be sure that the buckets rotate around where you are going to remove the shim. By rotating, you know that there is no pressure on the shim or bucket and you are in good shape.
You may want to hold the bucket depressor tool with two hands to guide it in, turning it around under the cam and pushing the bucket with the center ridge.
It feels weird, but it is possible and it does work.
Let me know how it goes.
I can give you on-the-phone procedures, too, as you do it, if you need it.

Hang in there.
The first time is the hardest.
Yours,
Todd 

I got that fine, can get it depressed and whatever.  Its that as stated earlier, that whenever teh bucket gets depressed, the center ridge is on the shim as well trapping it in place.  Cant get it over enough just to get on the edge of the bucket.

Hi again,
I think I misstated how to do this before. I don't have my engine open and in front of me as I am describing it.
OK, it is a very sensitive operation.
It takes some practice, but you will get it and then wonder why it was so hard to figure out.
As you slide the tool in under the cam, be sure that you catch the first lip of the tool so it rides right over the edge of the bucket. The center ridge will then be right to the SIDE of the bucket, giving you space to push the tool all the way in to depress the bucket, while giving you the room to remove and replace the shim.
Never mind the above description -- the center ridge of the tool DOES have to be used to push the bucket down. It would be easier if I had my engine open in front of me, wouldn't it?
I use long tweezers to take the shims in and out.
Also, be sure to use rags to fill the engine cavities around the cam chain and anywhere things can fall into the engine. You DON'T want little parts falling down there. You'll be glad you prevented that. You can read posts here from others who didn't use rags to block those areas.
I hope this helps, bub.

Yours,
Todd

Todd, thats not what the manuals say.  Note the picture:




If I try as you say with the ridge on side of the bucket, then I get no leverage to push the bucket down and it freely turns all the way down without pushing the bucket down at all.

Ive attempted for a half hour today, hour last night. No dice

Valve shim tool in and depressing bucket:




Shim wont come out.... bucket and shim both rotate freely so nothing has "welded" together or anything like that.

Hi again,

I have the Motion Pro tool and it works well.
It is possible that this is just not the right tool that you have. Is that possible? It's not the Motion Pro tool?
Ok, and if that center ridge is right on the edge of the bucket and the tool is ALL THE WAY in and turned so it is level with the valve cover surface, then if it's the right tool, it will push the bucket down.
If you are SURE that the ridge is on the bucket edge and that it's the right tool and it is all the way in, then I can't see why it's not working for you.
Sorry, bub. I'm trying to help. 

Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 23, 2008, 04:34:44 PM

Quote from: dgyver on June 16, 2008, 12:28:16 PM
I will try to remember to look at mine tonight to see what model number it is. I have one from Motion Pro and it does look like the Suzuki/Yamaha picture.

DGyver could you check and see if the model number you have is the same, and it does work? 

Ive got the A01-29 and cant get it to depress - not tall enough

Quote from: dgyver on June 16, 2008, 08:06:29 PM

Quote from: beRto on June 16, 2008, 12:07:33 PM
...

SUZUKI/YAMAHA


Photos and info taken from the Motion Pro website:
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/tools/view/valve_shim_tools/

Yep. This is the same tool I use.

Mine is the same as the photo: MP 08-0017 Suzuki

Hi again  Sikdmax,
You know, your SECOND photo of the installed tool looks like it is not in there properly.
It appears that it may be too much to the right so that the center ridge is NOT pushing the bucket down. It appears that the left side of the tool, that flat area next to the ridge, is pushing on the bucket, which is why you can't get the shim in and out.
Try it again, and remember, you have to wedge it in there to get the center ridge onto the bucket properly. It's a tight fit and it is really easy for the tool to slip out of the correct spot.
Keep trying and you will get it. Use two hands to steady it as you slide it under the cam and onto the bucket edge. It can be done!
It looks like you do have the right tool.
I think it is operator-error at this point, but don't give up, man.
Let me know.

Its at the dealer... $60 for valve ADJUSTMENT TODD   

Hi,
Too bad you gave up. It's not that hard at all to do.
Also, it's not getting a "valve job" right now.
It's in for a "valve adjustment."
They are two very different things.
Best wishes,
Todd

It doesn't look like the tool is on the edge of the bucket right, I had that problem the first time I used the tool but I guess I was more patient  .

Edit: also if your doing it right the tool might have a tendency to pop off annoyingly

Um ok?  I didnt give up - I make $110 an hour labor at my real job - after trying for 1.5 to 2 hours I decided its not worth it to continue when I can pay $60 to have it done. 

Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 24, 2008, 11:54:20 AM
Its at the dealer... $60 for valve adjustment (Sorry grammar nazis    )

Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 24, 2008, 12:39:48 PM
Um ok?  I didnt give up - I make $110 an hour labor at my real job - after trying for 1.5 to 2 hours I decided its not worth it to continue when I can pay $60 to have it done. 

Thats giving up, but don't worry I wasn't giving you hell - the need to ride sometimes outweighs the need to have to fix/check things

Edit: ok maybe a little hell   

Thats fine and your opinion.  In mine it wasnt, as doing a cost/benefit analysis when I have paying work waiting, I was losing money by the minute. 

Im just glad its being done and Ill have my bike back riding ready to go soon