Yet another question on choosing right shims - re. valve adjustment

[Andy_WI]

Hi. This is my first post here. Allow me briefly introduce myself - I am Andy and I recently got my first 1980 XS1100SG (vin# 3J6-003140). Seller said it was ridden last Summer and tabs are 2008, it appears to have 25K miles on the clock. I am in located in Midwest Wisconsin. I have big plans for my XS but for now I got confused with my shims as I am adjusting my valves at the moment based on crazy steve's Valve Adjustment Pictorial. I just downloaded manual from CatatonicBug's web site

My measurments:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: .000 / .004 / .003 / .0015
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: .006 / .004 / .007 / .006

Shims that were installed:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: 285 / 290 / 280 / 290
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: 265 / 255 / 275 / 275

According to captjanes' post: referring to the manual on 1980 Midnight Special (XS1100SG) specs should be as follows:
Intake: 0.004 - 0.006" (later specs)
Exhaust: 0.008 - 0.010"

I plan to source my shims via eBay and I am just got confused what sizes I'd need. I'd appreciate any explanation/clarification on this.
I did see the chart
Thanks

[motoman]

Hi. This is my first post here. Allow me briefly introduce myself - I am Andy and I recently got my first 1980 XS1100SG (vin# 3J6-003140). Seller said it was ridden last Summer and tabs are 2008, it appears to have 25K miles on the clock. I am in located in Midwest Wisconsin. I have big plans for my XS but for now I got confused with my shims as I am adjusting my valves at the moment based on crazy steve's Valve Adjustment Pictorial. I just downloaded manual from CatatonicBug's web site

My measurments:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: .000 / .004 / .003 / .0015
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: .006 / .004 / .007 / .006

Shims that were installed:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: 285 / 290 / 280 / 290
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: 265 / 255 / 275 / 275

According to captjanes' post: referring to the manual on 1980 Midnight Special (XS1100SG) specs should be as follows:
Intake: 0.004 - 0.006" (later specs)
Exhaust: 0.008 - 0.010"

I plan to source my shims via eBay and I am just got confused what sizes I'd need. I'd appreciate any explanation/clarification on this.
I did see the chart
Thanks

..well, if ya' got a local Kawasaki or bike shop nearby, Kaway shims are same diameter.

[Andy_WI]

Yes, I am aware of Kawi's shims and BMW's use the same 29mm dia shims. But what thickness do I need? That's what I am trying to figure out. I'd rather order stuff online then drive for hours and spend more on gas (my rusty truck is not so fuel efficient )

[kboehringer]

SNIP



My measurments:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: .000 / .004 / .003 / .0015
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: .006 / .004 / .007 / .006

Shims that were installed:
Intake [1/2/3/4]: 285 / 290 / 280 / 290
Exhaust [1/2/3/4]: 265 / 255 / 275 / 275

According to captjanes' post: referring to the manual on 1980 Midnight Special (XS1100SG) specs should be as follows:
Intake: 0.004 - 0.006" (later specs)
Exhaust: 0.008 - 0.010"

I plan to source my shims via eBay and I am just got confused what sizes I'd need.

Andy,
Rather than go to E-Bay. You can buy individual shims from "JETSRUS.COM". They are aftermarket shims but brand new not used. You probably only need about 5 so they will ship them all at once for one small ship fee. Much better deal than anyone on evil-Bay.

I'm no super expert here but let me try to help. I have a few XS11's and have done this adjustment several times.

Your valves are obviously too tight. There is only one within spec and it's at the bottom end of the spec.

You're gonna want to drop the sizes on them by one step each (that will PROBABLY do it on the exhaust and the two middle intakes). Looks like you can move a couple around (2.80mm over to the spot where the 2.85mm is that is too tight, etc.) and save a couple bucks. That #1 & #4 intake look like they will need to drop two sizes as they are SUPER tight. Personally, I'd buy a couple extra in sizes of the range you need if you can.

You'll need to double-check them all again once the new shims are in.

Hope that helps....

KURT

[Andy_WI]

Kurt, thanks for the reply and the link. I agree that I'd like to get couple extra shims as valve clearance check required every 5000mi (8000km) or 12 months. I wrote incorrectly intake and exhaust shims in my previou post. So here's what I've come up with:

IN.specs: .006 -.15mm
Intake:
1: .000-.00mm | 265 -> replace with 255
2: .004-.10mm | 255 -> replace with 250
3: .003-.07mm | 275 -> replace with 270
4. .0015-.03mm| 275 -> replace with 265

EX.specs: .010 - .25mm
Exhaust:
1: .006-.15mm | 285 -> replace with 275
2: .004-.10mm | 290 -> replace with 275
3: .007-.17mm | 280 -> replace with 275
4: .006-.15mm | 290 -> replace with 280

Therefore based on this I'd need to purchase 250 x 1, 270 x 1, 275 x 1 and couple extras. I think I got it right

[IanDMacDonald]

Hey Andy- if you have the chart, it tells you what shims u need to replace them with.

[HalfCentury]

After you replace, you measure again to see if you got it right.

Be aware that you may need to drop more than you think. I had two that needed an additional step lower than what the chart would have you believe.

It could be that I measured incorrectly initially.

It helps to have a metric feeler gauge. They are $10 at NAPA.

[IanDMacDonald]

After you replace, you measure again to see if you got it right.

Be aware that you may need to drop more than you think. I had two that needed an additional step lower than what the chart would have you believe.

It could be that I measured incorrectly initially.

It helps to have a metric feeler gauge. They are $10 at NAPA.

They have the 45 degree one's as-well, which are great for my Triumph.

[Andy_WI]

Thank you for all feedback. I understand it's trial and error process. I have metric gauges and I will check my local (but it's still like 1 hour drive away from me) NAPA for shims but I might just go ahead and order shims online from jeturus.com. I will make sure I'll re-check clearance once everything is assembled back. I will report here
I picked up today Windjammer Vetter fairing and stock air box assembly

[HalfCentury]

NAPA does not have the shims. They have the metric feeler gauge.

[BillyRok]

You may find you need to drop 3 sizes on #1 intake so you would want another 250 on hand to be safe.

[Andy_WI]

HalfCentury - got it. Thanks for the clarification.
BillyRok - thanks for the suggestion. I will get an extra 250 then.

[Andy_WI]

Update: I've installed new shims and checked everything twice and I had to re-install them again. I still need two more shims:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
---------------------------
EX: .009 .010 .008 .013
275 275 275 265
----------------------------
IN: .006 .007 .006 .004
250 250 265 270

So I will replace I2 for 245, swap E4 for I4 and I'll need 275 for E4.

[DiverRay]

Andy,
If they are a little LOOSE, that is OK. The shims tighten as they wear, so it just makes it noisy for a thousand miles or so. I would leave I2 as is if it was my bike, but that's me. I DO have an assortment of shims, so if you need a size PM me and we can mail back and forth. The "new" engines were tighter on the valve specs to keep the valve noise down, so 1 thou isn't a big deal.

[Andy_WI]

Ray, thanks for the info but this is sick perfectionism in action. It's been about one month and I still have not put my XS back on the road. I've ordered some shims online on Sunday night (eBay free shipping this time) and I really hope this weekend I can start riding. I am going to have some spare shims on hand now too.