Triumphrat

moonshinerunner

G'day everyone'
I was doing my 100,000kms (60,000miles) service. So while replacing my timing chain I thought I would check the valve clearances. Glad that I did. Nil clearance on the intakes and one exhaust valve to tight.
So I removed the camshafts and took out one of the shims and noticed that the size was printed on the underside. So I measured the shim and it was close enough to the printed size.
Then using the chart in the workshop manual I tried to order new shims. The triumph dealer here in Australia told me that they are no longer available here.
So onto the web to find what else uses 25mm shims
Honda CB750, CB900, CB1000, CBX
Yamaha FJ1100,FJ1200
Older V-Max
Ventures and some older Toyotas.
Then to find a supplier. The following in Australian dollars
Honda dealer $20.43 each
Yamaha dealer $22.22 each
On EBay from America $11.48 each
After looking for hours I finally came across this site. http://www.precisionshims.com.au/
They are in Melbourne Australia and post worldwide. They only charged me $7.70 each. They make what ever size you require. So instead of only 2.70 or 2.75 they make 2.725 etc. Just mention you read about it on this site and they give us a discount.
While searching I also found the valve shim tool. In America and they send worldwide also. They also take paypal but email first. It is the same as the original but a lot cheaper. I was only charged $60.00 USD delivered. It works great. Again mention our web site for a discount. http://knlcycle.homelinux.com/shim_tool.htm
Both were very quick to send and great personal service.
I hate recommending people, in case something goes wrong, but this is a must for our bikes and I hope this information comes in handy for everyone.
Another handy tip is if you remove the camshafts remove all the shims one at a time and record the size and to which valve, so next time you check the clearance you can order the new shims without having to remove them. So keeping your bike on the road.
Best of luck everyone and I hope this helps.

bradtx

moonshinerunner, Thanks for the info as I plan to place all of the cam/valve stem clearances to dead median this winter on my '98.

Brad

Marks Daytona

Thanks for the excellent feedback moonshinerunner!

I am sick of being bent over every time I need to buy parts in Australia so it is good to know there is a local supplier at a reasonable price. I plan to check clearances over the Christmas break (I have a whole 2 months off )

Now I am just trying to understand how your shims have grown?? I assume the last person to do it did not allow for a clearance.

EDIT: Any chance of "renting" the removal tool from you? I could pay you the rent and postage via PayPal. I can PM you as it gets closer if you are comfortable with it.

Hangover

I had no idea the shims were so expensive, mine are due so at least i now know of a local supplier.

moonshinerunner

As you are long standing member, That won't be a problem for the tool, Just tell me when and I will send it down. All of us need to stick together.
As for the growing shims.
The reason you will also require thinner shims is the valves sink (or pull up) into the head, This makes the clearance smaller and smaller until you have no clearance and that is when it starts to burn the valves. This is why it is necessary to shim them every 20,000km's (12,000miles) or so. This is normal for any high performance engine.
It sounds wrong but that is how a solid lifter engine works. Most people and using common sense you would think the clearance gap should get bigger as the metal wears but in fact it doesn't. That's is why most high performance engines use stainless steel valves and hardened seats. Some even try liquid filled valves etc but they all still wear. This wasn't such a problem when we used leaded super. It still worn but not as fast. The lead acted as a lubricant and helped slow this wear down. But as they say, leaded fuel and paints made us oldies dumb, but unleaded is a strong poison and just kills us.
It is the heat that affects all metals. And the constant welding and then ripping apart makes the wear. As the valves open and close, they are welding and then breaking. This welding all the time on the valve seats and valves makes then get thinner. The valve springs pulls the valves up into the head that is how the clearance gap gets smaller and smaller.
I hope this might explain it a little bit.

Marks Daytona

Excellent! Seems so logical after you explain it

Thanks for the offer too. I will pm you in the coming weeks if you don't mind.

Hangover

Is changing shims doable without any special tools ?, and are they just flat 25mm diameter shims ?