These are my cold valve clearance measurements at 10k and 15k miles, is this normal?

         L intake      R intake      L exhaust      R exhaust
10k   0.06            0.04           0.04              0.06
15k   0.05            0.04           <0.02*          <0.02*

*this is the smallest gauge I have and it wouldn't slide in.

Things to note: idle has become progressively worse over the past 6 months, and also started stalling after pulling clutch while decelerating, worse in cold weather. I have stock jets and have always run lean. Im second owner and this bike has never had shims replaced. Does anyone know if our bikes ship with standard shims in all four positions and if so what they are? I live in a city and park in an alley, so I have to work outdoors in the winter cold, so opening everything up again just to measure the shims and then doing it all over again after I order the new ones is something Id like to avoid. Ideally, I'd like to know what's in there now and then just order new shims

I presume those are in inches...

The wear might be normal but I would really worry about burnt exhaust valves given running lean and low clearance. See if you can set the clearance correctly and then do a compression test.

IMHO!

And fix the lean running before disaster strikes.

No, these are mm gauges. Spec is 0.03-0.08mm. So both my exhaust measurements are out of spec. I thought the next step is to calculate the new shims that are needed, install, and then check clearance again, no?

All original shims are not the same but are close on the same bike, can vary more from bike to bike.  My 97 GS bought new needed first shim change at 39k miles and my 02 bought with 4k miles on it got first shim change at 31k miles.  For my first shim change I opened it up and measured the shim required, closed it up and rode to dealer 40 miles away and got shims, rode home and put it in, and closed it up and took another ride the same day.  My valve log:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GSvalvelogs_zpscvcef42y.jpg

I rode year around and fixed my bike when required year around in an unheated garage here in NE Ohio.  I set my valves to the Suzuki .001-.003" spec on my 97 and was down to a minimum 215 exhaust shim at 80k miles so I increased the exhust clearance to .003-.005" on my 02 and was only down to a 245 smallest exhaust shim at 100k miles.

No burnt exhaust valves running lean with stock carbs on both bikes all the way.  The 02 had 140 psi compression in both cylinders at 100k miles.

Somehow I misread your numbers and my mind added an extra zero after the decimal point...

Anyway, tight exhaust valves and lean condition are not a good combination IMHO. That's how valves get burnt. I would correct it sooner rather than later.

You need to remove the shims, read the size on them and double check it with a micrometer. Not all bikes come with the same shims and from the factory.

I agree with GSJack's looser exhaust valve clearances. My bike had <.02mm clearance on both exhaust valves at 20,000 miles. I changed to the looser spec of .08 - .13 mm on the exhaust valves and have not had to change a shim since. My GS is now up to 36,000 miles.

Idle symptoms of tight exhaust valves. Like others have said run larger clearances. I've run .12mm without issue, but don't redline prolong high rpm.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on January 05, 2017, 09:20:44 AM
You need to remove the shims, read the size on them and double check it with a micrometer.

ok, makes sense. thanks for the help guys

Hardest part about valve shims IMO is finding someone who sells them, and finding appropriate sizes! 

Chris

Some of the better dealers out there will swap shims with you for free or a small fee. This allows you to get your clearances set in one day without paying $15 for each brand new OEM shim. They will also have more of the odd sizes that only come in the bikes from the factory (e.g. 2.72). Sometimes this helps you hit your clearances better. New shims only come in .05 increments.
Aurora Suzuki in Seattle used to swap shims but that dealership closed down a few years ago. I think its a KTM dealer now.

I've swapped shims @ dealers.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on January 09, 2017, 12:27:33 AM
dealers

thanks. good idea, but im going to give it a shot myself

HPP8140 means swapping the actual shims at the parts counter. Not paying the service department to do the entire valve adjustment. You are still doing the job yourself and you have to get the shims somewhere.