Think Tank

[Joab]

Ok, this seems like a bit of an uncomfortable thread for a new person like myself to be posting in, but...what is the shim library?

[b.walker5]

Check here.. http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29346

Sorry, just re-read your post. The shim library is a collection of valve bucket shims held by the group for swap when needed for engine tuning.

[DGXSER]

Hey Joab,

As Brian stated, its a collection of different sized shims that fit the valve buckets in our bikes. As you may know, it is recommended that you periodically check the valve clearance. If it is out of spec, you change out shims to bring it back into spec.

Shims can be fairly pricey or even tough to find locally, so there has been a "library" created. If you need a different size shim, you contact the current "librarian" or keeper of the shims. If you send them your shims and a postage paid envelope, you get the sizes you need in return. This is, of course, dependent upon the library containing the sizes you need.

[natemoen]

If the library does not have it you can try eBay, local dealers, or the Ford sho motor also uses the same 29mm ships. There are some places online the sell them as well for a reasonable price.

[DGXSER]

I found a local small bike shop that has them and sells me shims for $2 a piece, thats me keeping my old ones. So, they can be had. Also, IIRC, Suzuki has some models using the 29 MM shims as well.

[natemoen]

I found a local small bike shop that has them and sells me shims for $2 a piece, thats me keeping my old ones. So, they can be had. Also, IIRC, Suzuki has some models using the 29 MM shims as well.

Wow the local dealer here was tryin to charge me 25 bucks a shim, and then I said F-that

[79XS11F]

WOW, is that installed?
Rob

[natemoen]

WOW, is that installed?
Rob

Unfortunately not. That was shin TRADE alone. Yes everyone hates that place. There are a lot of hardley dealers here but not so many for everything else. Supply and demand, it suck for everyone but the dealer.

[prometheus578]

If I may...

Suzuki has some models using the 29 MM shims as well.

The 29mm shims were mostly used for Yamaha, though there are many Kawasaki applications.
Suzuki used a shim size of 29.5mm. (Mostly for the GS series bikes)
These shims will not work. I recommend, that if you find a shop that will swap out shims for you, measure the outside dia. to ensure you've gotten the right size before you drive all the way home and try to install them.

[bikerphil]

Also a good source for shims at a reasonable price.....

http://www.crc2onlinecatalog.com/valve_shims.htm

[Joab]

And now I know! Ugh...well, looks like I'll have to try out one of these options soon, I have a feeling my first winter back in the south (originally from Minnesota) will not be a riding one. I fix one issue, to discover two more! But that is what keeps life interesting, right?

[MrOzz]

I was able to get shims from a local BMW Motorcycle dealer. $4.00 each with no trade in of my old ones.

[cywelchjr]

I think you might be able to get shims from your local Ford dealer as I believe that at least some of the SHO Taurus's shared the same shims in their valve train.

[motoman]

As Prom stated, majority of Kawy's use 29mm shims. One of my local dealers here, who employees a mechanic whom I've known for years through the bike thing re-shimmed my XS Venturer valves and was very reasonable at $40. Heck, the valve cover gasket and cam-end plugs OEM cost me that. IIRC, it had three tight exhaust and one tight intake which on the 81 clearances are set at the higher end of the specs.

[fredintoon]

If you are desperate

and as a last resort you can use a magnetic plate surface grinder to reduce a shim's thickness by the same amount that's needed to restore the clearance back into spec.