Valve shims

[CUBuffs]

Does anybody have a good and cheap resource for valve shims? My local dealer has some used ones but he wants $10 for each one. I need seven total for now.

[Czekus21]

What size shims do you need?

[trbig]

You might see if he'll take 5 bucks and trade with you, but honestly, there are lots of places that you should be able to get them for 5 bucks a piece.... no trades. Call around and maybe find a new "Local" shop... lol. These were used on other bikes, not just Yamahas.
If you still have problems finding them, list the sizes you need, I can check my local shop. They still had a decent assortment and they are 5 bucks. I can get them to you for that plus whatever postage would be... not much I imagine. They will be used, but good.

Tod

[CUBuffs]

1 @ 200
2 @ 205
1 @ 215
1 @ 220
2 @ 245

I hope I did my calculations right.

[trbig]

I just checked mine... I have several, but the thinnest one I have is a 265. Maybe others will chime in.


Tod

[Czekus21]

Off the top of my head, the shims I have are at the 275 and up range. I'll look later this evening and post what I have before listing the last of my XJ parts on Ebay. There might be a shim or two in that bunch of parts.

[skids]

It seems like the dealerships only sell new over the counter (and I'll bet they drop used one into the buckets in the shop!) You can try Kawasaki's, as I think they are the same diameter. Sometimes the smaller local shops are better at providing the customers, but they might want a trade plus $ for each. Ask them also that "since it is used, if it isn't close enough to spec, can I bring it back and try a different size." I say this because the feeler gage can play trick on you!

Originally posted by Czekus21
Off the top of my head, the shims I have are at the 275 and up range. I'll look later this evening and post what I have before listing the last of my XJ parts on Ebay. There might be a shim or two in that bunch of parts.

[Czekus21]

OK, Here's what I got.
2 @ 260
1 @ 265
1 @ 270
1 @ 275
5 @ 280
2 @ 285
3 @ 290
1 @ 295
Let me know if any of these will help. Will trade 1 for 1

[CUBuffs]

Thanks for the offers. It doesn't look like any of those will work for me. The local Yamaha dealer is also the local Kawasaki dealer so I might need to look a little further away.

Has anyone tried this web site

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

It looks like they would have what I need and they are only $5 each.

[prometheus578]

"Doin' the 'Shimmy Shake' "

Kawa's use the same diameter... 29mm. Exercise caution, as some Suzuki's take a 29.5mm

My local dealer has some used ones but he wants $10 for each one

Find a new dealer!
Shims are ordered from K&L Supply and cost the dealer $15 fer a pack of 5, so $5 a piece to you seems reasonable. Though, I feel that buying shims is unreasonable. As they're hardened steel, I've never seen them wear. And even if they did, it couldn't be more than a hundred thousanths of an inch, or so.

Ask them also that "since it is used, if it isn't close enough to spec, can I bring it back and try a different size

Valve adjustment isn't that precise... One can put the same shim in two different valves and be correct, but in one the feeler gauge is loose(but the next size larger gauge won't go), the gauge has a little drag(perfect), or the gauge is a little tight(Close to perfect, but a smaller size shim would be too loose)

and I'll bet they drop used one into the buckets in the shop!)

"Ja, you betcha!" Customer's old ones go into a box... the same box I grab out of to get his replacements.
Shims I swap for free, at least the commonly used sizes, like from 2.45mm to 2.80mm. The extremes... like the 2.00's-2.35's and the 2.95's-3.10's I rarely give away. (Nothing's worse than not being able to finish a customer's bike and having to wait a week or so for 'new' shims to arrive.)
From a dealership's point of view, common sizes come in... and go out regularly. The problem arises when common sizes come in, and the extreme sizes go out and are not replaced from other machines. Then the mechanic has too many 2.65's, but no 2.15's left.
(I just had the new owners of the shop resupply me with odd-ball sizes of shims. Set them back $300!) "I don't use them often, but when I need them, I need them."
Find a shop that will swap fer free, CUBuffs, but you may have to throw in a few $'s for the skinnier ones.

[Do Lee]

If you can't find any shims around your area for less $$$$ I have a few. I have some of the size you need and will swap them out with you.

My stock pile of shim sizes.

Y205 (4) Y210 (4) Y215 (3)
Y220 (2) Y225 (3) Y230 (3)
Y235 (3) Y240 (3) Y245 (0)
Y250 (0) Y255 (0) Y260 (6)
Y265 (4) Y270 (0) Y275 (4)
Y280 (4) Y285 (2) Y290 (3)
Y320 (1)

I also have a local shop can check with them on shims and I think his price is $5.00 each.

[CUBuffs]

Hey Do,

Thanks. I think I am going to run the bike with some Seafoam for about a hundred miles before I swap out any of the shims. Then I will check clearances again and let you know what I need.