Shims, how do you know if/when you're bike needs them?

[jl4049]

Just checked mine, bikes done 54000 km, only one valve is tighter than spec, and only just, so it will be fine until tax refund time. the job took me 11 hours from start to finish, with my 2 little savages "helping"me. This is the first time I have checked them on this bike, so will be a lot quiker next time.

[Troy Pearson]

I would be very careful if any of you guys are letting your pride and joy go over even 12,000kms without a valve clearance check!
The ZX10R 05 model which I own says in the manual that you don't have to do it for 18,000 kms. I out of sheer love for my machine and a mechanical background decided to check mine at 6,000kms. It was a good decision as one intake valve is just inside the tolerance required. So guess what I'm going to be doing at 12k?
I'm not bragging but am concerned that no one out there really realises that you can damage the head and lose performance on your machine!
The only reason I can explain a valve clearance interval to be 18,000 from a manual is the Titanium Exhaust Valves. Tehy don't have a tendancy to stretch as much as conventional steel ones! Now they new Tens have 16 Titanium valves in their heads, surprise, surprise!
If I were you, I woould go somewhere you know is a reputable dealer that can do the work you ask for.
This will cost usually between 300 and 500. The reason, labour and the parts, shims cost around $5 each! It ads up and the servicing is the part that bites you as a decent dealer will not rush this and risk damaging your scooter! Trust me!
I work on a boat that has $1m engines. V16 MTU's and we dont trust the clowns that are supposed to do the servicing. I know of a boat that dropped a valve from over adjusting valves and they wern't impressed.

Anyway, good luck, I hope this helps. I would offer to do it for you but I'm O.S at the moment and won't be home until April. Be keen for a ride though to show you where to ride when I get home.

Troy

[andrew.k]

I've got an 05 model too but my workshop manual lists 24000 for valve clearance inspection

[mick_dundee]

Can't do shit without the $ but yeah plan is to indeed drop it in to B Kwaka once I get a bit of breathing space momney wise and get it checked out.

[Troy Pearson]

Hi Andrew, sorry I didn't reply so soon but if I were you I would get them inspected a little sooner for peice of mind and ask for the actual gap dimension so you have some type of indication on when you decide to get them done next time!
I wouldn't risk doing them so late in the mileage, it's not worth burning a valve!

Troy

[Toby]

Does anyone know a reasonably priced, good mechanic or shop in the Nth Sydney area. I have to get my clearances checked too on a recently purchased 01 ZX12R, 24,000kms.

Cheers

Toby

[mick_dundee]

Yeah welcome, umm NFI about Sydaney but mine is booked in for this weekend, shims, carb balance, new sparkies, possibly jet kit and air filter.

[hoffy]

Mate just get it done at mechanics, should be max 2 - 3 hrs labour charge..

You need to make sure they are right, or you could drop a valve etc.

[dave#3]

Does anyone know a reasonably priced, good mechanic or shop in the Nth Sydney area. I have to get my clearances checked too on a recently purchased 01 ZX12R, 24,000kms.

Cheers

Toby

G'day Toby, for top rate service that you pay a bit of a premium for I'd recommend Procycles in Hornsby - they've got a well earned reputation for not being your average bikeshop. I've started using Love Motorcycles at Waitara to do bits and pieces to our trackbikes (he's got a dyno) and so far Alon, the proprietor, has done a good job for a reasonable price.

[robracer]

Hi Toby go see a good mate of mine at Lloyd Penn Motorcycles at Artarmon (Punch St) I think it is.
He has been in the game a looooong time & wont stuff you aroud Just drop my name "Rob from RT".
I have known Lloyd for 20 years & would trust him with any work required

[hoffy]

Toby, You can go to Franks mate Glen at castle hill, he knows all about them and charges reasonable too. I cant find his details on the sponsors page, but Im sure Frank has his details, or Aitkens or Flywheels Kawasaki on the sponsors page in general discussion forum.

Its quite a big job, takes 4 hours approx ive heard ! but about 9 out of 10 end up not needing adjustment all, so chances are yours may not need adjustment at all.

[robracer]

[quote="dave#3[/quote]
G'day Toby, for top rate service that you pay a bit of a premium for I'd recommend Procycles in Hornsby - they've got a well earned reputation for not being your average bikeshop. I've started using Love Motorcycles at Waitara to do bits and pieces to our trackbikes (he's got a dyno) and so far Alon, the proprietor, has done a good job for a reasonable price.[/quote]

Hey Dave Alon used to be in the Artarmon area & When LPM was too busy to do a rebuild for me on my post classic sidecar outfit, I tried Alon.........FMD worst mistake ever!
This guy was pretty green at the time but I did not know
It was a simple full engine rebuild on a Honda 750 4 motor with standard wiesco 836 kit. Well he did the rebuild $$$$ less in my pocket & that weekend we were at Oran Park doing a qualifying lap after carefull running in & were comming down the straight full noise when my rider did not shut off at the end of the straight we are going to DIE!!!!!! went into the kitty litter & stopped CM's from the tyre wall The Valve clearences were set too tight & a valve had sheered off & got spat back into the carbs & wedged them open Took the outfit back to him that arvo told him to farkin do the whole rebuild again & get it right this time! he ended up paying for his fark up through his insurance the fark up was that bad & cost him heaps $$$ I WOULD NEVER EVER TRUST THIS GUY! I almost Died because of his incompedence & from that day on I do my own work if possible, & check all work done by others
Sorry for the hijak Toby

[hoffy]

[quote="dave#3
G'day Toby, for top rate service that you pay a bit of a premium for I'd recommend Procycles in Hornsby - they've got a well earned reputation for not being your average bikeshop. I've started using Love Motorcycles at Waitara to do bits and pieces to our trackbikes (he's got a dyno) and so far Alon, the proprietor, has done a good job for a reasonable price.[/quote]


[quote="robracer"
Hey Dave Alon used to be in the Artarmon area & When LPM was too busy to do a rebuild for me on my post classic sidecar outfit, I tried Alon.........FMD worst mistake ever!
This guy was pretty green at the time but I did not know
It was a simple full engine rebuild on a Honda 750 4 motor with standard wiesco 836 kit. Well he did the rebuild $$$$ less in my pocket & that weekend we were at Oran Park doing a qualifying lap after carefull running in & were comming down the straight full noise when my rider did not shut off at the end of the straight we are going to DIE!!!!!! went into the kitty litter & stopped CM's from the tyre wall The Valve clearences were set too tight & a valve had sheered off & got spat back into the carbs & wedged them open Took the outfit back to him that arvo told him to farkin do the whole rebuild again & get it right this time! he ended up paying for his fark up through his insurance the fark up was that bad & cost him heaps $$$ I WOULD NEVER EVER TRUST THIS GUY! I almost Died because of his incompedence & from that day on I do my own work if possible, & check all work done by others
Sorry for the hijak Toby [/quote]

Fark

[robracer]

Hoffy this was some really serious stuff mate ... It was almost the end of racing for me it was that scary

[dave#3]

G'day Toby, for top rate service that you pay a bit of a premium for I'd recommend Procycles in Hornsby - they've got a well earned reputation for not being your average bikeshop. I've started using Love Motorcycles at Waitara to do bits and pieces to our trackbikes (he's got a dyno) and so far Alon, the proprietor, has done a good job for a reasonable price.

Hey Dave Alon used to be in the Artarmon area & When LPM was too busy to do a rebuild for me on my post classic sidecar outfit, I tried Alon.........FMD worst mistake ever!
This guy was pretty green at the time but I did not know
It was a simple full engine rebuild on a Honda 750 4 motor with standard wiesco 836 kit. Well he did the rebuild $$$$ less in my pocket & that weekend we were at Oran Park doing a qualifying lap after carefull running in & were comming down the straight full noise when my rider did not shut off at the end of the straight we are going to DIE!!!!!! went into the kitty litter & stopped CM's from the tyre wall The Valve clearences were set too tight & a valve had sheered off & got spat back into the carbs & wedged them open Took the outfit back to him that arvo told him to farkin do the whole rebuild again & get it right this time! he ended up paying for his fark up through his insurance the fark up was that bad & cost him heaps $$$ I WOULD NEVER EVER TRUST THIS GUY! I almost Died because of his incompedence & from that day on I do my own work if possible, & check all work done by others
Sorry for the hijak Toby

Fark, fark, fark Alright, I've got to move, get a good sized garage and a rattle gun ... and maybe a dyno