2-3 weeks ago, did valve clearance check...

Lost where I recorded the actual clearances, but I know I need 2.40 2.50 & 2.55 shims.

I've called every shop in the state of Texas, and eventually ordered them online, only to be called back 2 weeks later to be told they're on backorder for 2 years... 

Can someone shed some light on how I obtain these apparently unicorn/Sasquatch hybrid of a metal disk?

Which site have you ordered them online from? I just ordered two size 250 shims for my GS500 off Bikebandit.com. Also, most motorcycle dealers that have a parts department can order them for you. I know a local place here in Louisiana that can get them no problem. You could give them a call and see if they'd mail them to your place.

If you're interested in that I'll give you their contact information.

it was through a shop, so their supplier.. I want to say KTR(?)

Through Bikebandit, if I'm looking at http://www.bikebandit.com/oem-parts/2006-suzuki-gs500f-camshaft-valve/o/m9752sch510169 then its 22-6, 22-8, 22-9... are those the prices per shim? 

~$40 for 3 shims seems a bit insane, but I suppose its better than the $200 job...

Yeah, shims for this bike are pretty pricey as far as shims go, in my experience. They are Suzuki shims, though. I'm pretty sure using any other brand isn't a good idea. They'll last a long time before you have to adjust again, if ever. for $40, not so shabby, imo.

Hi all ,  repeat  do not use aftermarket shims , only genuine suzuki shims ,  bikebandit  excellect  parts service , I use them all the time , kind regards  rg500gamma

Use cheap Chinese made shims and you will need a motor when they break.

regards
mech

Call these guys. It's my local shop, they have shims or can get them. ALWAYS been very, very good to me. Ask for Andy. Pretty sure they would ship them.

http://www.canandaiguamotorsports.com/

don't buy the K&N shims!! there's a few guys on here that have had them CRACK and go flying off into the engine... one of them had mentioned a lawsuit of some sort.. but I don't know if that went anywhere.

I may have them sitting here. I can check this weekend. Pm me if interested.

Yeah, I'm still waiting on K&L shims, I filed a warranty claim with them, send them a bill for $1300 and some dollars for repair costs of replacing my engine after 2 valve shims broke up raised heck with the internals.

Its been a 6+ month process so far. And it isnt getting anywhere.

I just checked, I have a 2.55..

How many miles you got on yours, that you feel the need to replace them?

Miles/kilometres makes a difference?..  I thought the valve clearance check that was done might just provide the info needed to require change?

No no no, janx, come on! Clearances aren't the issue, shims age like everything else, and are a periodic change. Personally, just to be safe, I change them each time I change my oil.   

I've changed 10 shims doing 22 valve checks putting 180k miles on 2 GSs and measured each shim that was removed with a quality micrometer and have not found any shim wear yet.  Exhaust valves wear into their seats decreasing their gaps due to the excessive heat and tight Suzuki setting specs they are subjected to.

The 97 with 80k miles and the 02 with 100k miles on them still had the same intake valve shims that they came from the factory with, no shim changes required on the intakes.  After the exhaust valve gaps were set to the wider .003-.005" (.08-.13 mm)gaps at about 30k mileage on the 02 the exhaust valves went 10's of thousands of miles without shim changes.

The 97 bought new required it's first shim change at 39k miles and the 02 bought with about 4k miles on it required it's first shim change at 31k miles.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSvalvelogs_zps55f27f5e.jpg

Oh sorry Jack, I was being sarcastic... I've actually been doing research into and following threads on shim changes, I absolutely believe you that shims don't wear.

Actually, when you wait too long between valve adjustments, you can wear out the shims. Usually not from a single valve adjustment interval, but let's say you got 50k miles on your bike, and only done two or three valve adjustments, or an incorrect adjustment (too tight/loose) you might get some wear on them.

Wish there was an icon for wry smile!

+1 janx, I couldn't figure out which one to use