In need of valve shims

[Czekus21]

I'm in the process of going over my 79sf from head to toe and am now at the valves. I'm in need of 4 (four) shims (250). If anyone can stear me in the right direction that would be very helpfull. If anyone needs my old shims I have 2 (two) 280, and 2 (275). These are from the intake bank.

[John]

Silly question

How can an engine need thinner shims at it gets older? Logic says that they should be thicker to compensate for wear. Are you sure you got a correct reading? The only way I can think of it needing thinner shims is that the valves are receding up into the valve seats. I could be wrong. It's happened before, and will happen again. More often than I would like, I'm afraid.

[ratbyk]

Valve Clearance

John, valve clearances closing up is perfectly normal. Valve face/valve seat wear plus a small amount of valve "tulip-ing" and you start to loose clearances.
Excessive clearances is a bad thing. You are suffer cam lobe wear. Most likely the cam before the hardened shims.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk
82 FT500 "lilRat"

[CA.XSer]

This site has shims

CRC

[steelcat]

I was able to get shims from my local dealer. He had one in stock & needed to order the rest in. Shims from BMW & Kaw. will also work (just get the right Dia. & thickness). K&L also has shims. There was tha thread on shims a month or so back.

[Czekus21]

Valve shims

Thanks, I did a valve job on 2 other bikes, (Honda, Kawi), I ordered the shims from my local dealer, they were 5 bucks each. It also took 2 weeks for them to reach me. I don't mind the time but to have my wallet emptied is another story. I'll try the crc site and see what happens

[Czekus21]

I went to crc's web site, they have what I need. It's about the same price as my local dealer. o'well the price we must pay to ride

[chevy45412001]

shims

talk to a mechanic at your local shop. I did he said he would trade me one for one.Sounded good to me.

[Czekus21]

Thanks for the tip. It just so happens that I know a Lady who works as a liason between the parts and the service dept. I'll see what she can do for me next teus.

[srq68]

I have an assortment of shimms in my garage, I'll check to see if I have the size you need. I'll trade you one for one...

[Czekus21]

Thanks for the offer on the shims. I went out and remeasured and redid the math and found that I don't need 250. I need 270. Not as bad as I thought but still needs to be changed. If you have any 270's I'll gladly trade with you.

[srq68]

Hey, I have two 270s that you need, will trade you for one 275 and one 280.
Email me direct at ldguilbert@usa.com
Thanks

[Czekus21]

Thanks for the offer. I sent you an Email with some info. Sooo now it's 2 down and 2 to go.