I have checked the measurements several times on the shim valve gap. My question is this. Is it abnormal to need a shim that is thicker than what is already installed? basically the gap has gone from .08mm to 0.12. I was under the impression from Kerry's video that it would get smaller. So is this unusual?

It is unusual for me, I've done 20 valve checks on 2 bikes in 10 years and 150k GS500 miles and have always needed a smaller shim when a change was made.  Others have reported using a larger shim.  My valve check log:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/valveclearances.jpg

Actually I've only needed exhaust valve shim changes.  My 97 GS went 80k miles without intake changes and I did change one intake on my 02 GS and changed it back the next time so it's still on original intake shims at 63k miles.

Thanks Jack. The one I described was an intake one on the left. The bike has only done 18000kms.

Make sure you're not compressing the spring when you push the feeler gauge in.  Any tightness will introduce error in your measurement.