Common thickness of OE valve shims

[jfman]

For those who have done valve adjustments on untouched Ventures, what was commonly observed OE thickness for shims?

 

reason I am asking is that there is a used valve shim kit for sale locally and I want to guess to see if what he has left in it will help me in my adjust or not. But I need the tool in the kit to pull my OE shims .

 

I measured my clearances and I have tight but very stable clearances across all intake valves and all exhaust valves.

 

The intakes are all .08mm or .09mm

 

The exhausts are all .15mm or .16mm

 

dont wanna buy his kit and find out all shims I needed are gone.

[Marcarl]

I found mine varied from the 60s to the 80s.

You might also be able to reuse your own shims in a different location.

If you don't have the shim you need then maybe you can do like I do and others do as well, and that is to take some of your extra shims to a local MC shop for an exchange. They haven't charged me anything for exchange, bu that is not the case everywhere, but most likely they will be cheaper than buying new ones and maybe quicker and easier.

[jfman]

I found mine varied from the 60s to the 80s.

You might also be able to reuse your own shims in a different location.

If you don't have the shim you need then maybe you can do like I do and others do as well, and that is to take some of your extra shims to a local MC shop for an exchange. They haven't charged me anything for exchange, bu that is not the case everywhere, but most likely they will be cheaper than buying new ones and maybe quicker and easier.

 

I don't understand why shops accept to take thick shims in exchange for thin shims.

 

since people keep replacing thick with thin, wont they wind up having a whole bunch of undesireable thick shims in the end?

[Marcarl]

Actually as things wear, the cause of clearance issues, you would mostly be needing thicker shims rather than thinner ones, but in the real world it doesn't seem to work that way. It might even be possible that at some point, somebody, somewhere, could do the whole valve adjustment with just an exchange of shims already in the engine,,, just not very likely. Understand also that you are working on just one engine, but a shop will work on many different engines with many using the same size shim but different thicknesses.

[MiCarl]

I don't understand why shops accept to take thick shims in exchange for thin shims.

 

since people keep replacing thick with thin, wont they wind up having a whole bunch of undesireable thick shims in the end?

 

To an extent they will. BUT there is a big flaw in the assumption behind your initial question which is that they all start out with a similar set of shims, and they don't. And if a valve job is done they'll reset all over the place. Finally, there are other engines that use the 25mm shim so a big place is likely to mix them up more than if they were just dealing with the Yamaha V4.

 

Actually as things wear, the cause of clearance issues, you would mostly be needing thicker shims rather than thinner ones, but in the real world it doesn't seem to work that way. It might even be possible that at some point, somebody, somewhere, could do the whole valve adjustment with just an exchange of shims already in the engine,,, just not very likely. Understand also that you are working on just one engine, but a shop will work on many different engines with many using the same size shim but different thicknesses.

 

Go have another cup of coffee Carl. You know that the wear is at the valve seat which reduces clearance at the cam.

[jfman]

Finally, there are other engines that use the 25mm shim so a big place is likely to mix them up more than if they were just dealing with the Yamaha V4.

 

.

 

My research is that that 25mm shims are kind of an oddball in the MC world, hence the Reason they are so darn expensive.

 

I actually dont even have the balls to ask my Yamaha dealer for free exchange of shims because I feel like I would be giving him the short end of the stick by giving him my thick shims.

 

Maybe my train of tought is wrong.

[RDawson]

My research is that that 25mm shims are kind of an oddball in the MC world, hence the Reason they are so darn expensive.

 

I actually dont even have the balls to ask my Yamaha dealer for free exchange of shims because I feel like I would be giving him the short end of the stick by giving him my thick shims.

 

Maybe my train of tought is wrong.

It really depends on what his collection has at the time. My problem was that none of the dealers around here knew what a 25mm shim was. I used Skydoc's kit and he had most of what I needed, another member sent me the two not in the kit so the kit grew by two more.

I was really disappointed in the dealers here evidently not checking the bikes they serviced or they would've known what I was looking for. I had one that told me I must be working on an antique bike to need them, he looked at me like I was crazy (no need for comments here Carl) when I told him Yamaha had them in the 2013 bikes.

[jfman]

It really depends on what his collection has at the time. My problem was that none of the dealers around here knew what a 25mm shim was. I used Skydoc's kit and he had most of what I needed, another member sent me the two not in the kit so the kit grew by two more.

I was really disappointed in the dealers here evidently not checking the bikes they serviced or they would've known what I was looking for. I had one that told me I must be working on an antique bike to need them, he looked at me like I was crazy (no need for comments here Carl) when I told him Yamaha had them in the 2013 bikes.

 

Makes you think about if the dealer really checks them when you hand them the big bux for the job.

[RDawson]

Makes you think about if the dealer really checks them when you hand them the big bux for the job.

That's why I was so disappointed with them. Either they aren't offering full service or not doing the whole job. I find it hard to believe no one was bringing bikes back for scheduled maintenance.

[jfman]

That's why I was so disappointed with them. Either they aren't offering full service or not doing the whole job. I find it hard to believe no one was bringing bikes back for scheduled maintenance.

 

Sometimes the folks that know their stuff arent the ones at the parts/service counter.

 

Once on a trip across the US I went to a dealership to buy a wheel bearing for my Kawasaki Versys. This dealer sold both Kawasaki and Suzuki. After he had verified that they did not have the OE Kawasaki bearing in stock, I asked him too look up for same bearing for a Suzuki Vstrom. The parts counter guy became defensive and argued with me that I could not put a Suzuki bearings in my Kawasaki.

 

Meanwhile these bikes have the same size rear wheel bearing.

[Prairiehammer]

My research is that that 25mm shims are kind of an oddball in the MC world, hence the Reason they are so darn expensive.

 

There is a seller on eBay selling two new genuine Yamaha shims for

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Yamaha-XJ600-FJ100-FJ1200-XVZ1300-Adjusting-Pad-Set-QTY-2-26H-12169-E0/264533574654?hash=item3d976e03fe:g:mQUAAOSwENZdzduB:sc:USPSFirstClass!61326!US!-1

 

Actually 25mm valve shims are fairly common. Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, Honda autos, Toyota autos, etc use 25mm shims.

An INCOMPLETE list:

 

 

Used on late 70's & 80's Honda's, 80's & 90's Yamaha's and some Triumph's

 

Fits Honda:

CB750C Custom - 1980-1982

CB750F Super Sport - 1979-1982

CB750K - 1979-1982

CB750L LTD - 1979

CB750SC Nighthawk - 1982-1983

CB900C Custom - 1980-1982

CB900F Super Sport - 1981-1982

CB1000C Custom - 1983

CB1100F Super Sport - 1983

CBX1047cc - 1979-1982

 

Fits Yamaha:

SRX250T/TC - 1987

XVZ12TK/TDK Venture & Venture Royal - 1983

XVZ12DL/DKC2/DN Venture Royal - 1984-1985

XVZ13DS/DT Venture Royal - 1986-1987

XVZ13DSC/DTC Venture Royal - 1986-1987

XVZ12T/TC/U/UC Venture - 1987-1988

XVZ13DU/DUC/DW/DWC Venture Royal - 1988-1989

XVZ13DA/DAC/DB/DBC Venture Royal - 1990-1991

XVZ13DD/DDC/DE/DEC Venture Royal - 1992-1993

VMX12N/NC/S/SC V-Max - 1985-1986

VMX12U/UC/W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC/E/EC V-Max - 1988-1993

FJ1100L/LC/N/NC - 1984-1985

FJ1200S/SC/T/TC - 1986-1987

FJ1200W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC - 1989-1992

FJ1200AD/ADC/AE/AEC (ABS) - 1992-1993

 

Honda Engine model - CB/X

Toyota Engine model - 2VZ-FE

Toyota Engine model - 3S-FE

Toyota Engine model - 3S-GE

Toyota Engine model - 4A-FC

Toyota Engine model - 4A-FE

Toyota Engine model - 5S-FE

Toyota Engine model - 7M-GE

Edited December 17, 2019 by Prairiehammer
Corrected erroneous Honda car information. Added Toyota car engine models with 25mm shims

[jfman]

There is a seller on eBay selling two new genuine Yamaha shims for

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-Yamaha-XJ600-FJ100-FJ1200-XVZ1300-Adjusting-Pad-Set-QTY-2-26H-12169-E0/264533574654?hash=item3d976e03fe:g:mQUAAOSwENZdzduB:sc:USPSFirstClass!61326!US!-1

 

Actually 25mm valve shims are fairly common. Yamaha, Honda, Triumph, Honda autos, Toyota autos, etc use 25mm shims.

An INCOMPLETE list:

 

 

Used on late 70's & 80's Honda's, 80's & 90's Yamaha's and some Triumph's

 

Fits Honda:

CB750C Custom - 1980-1982

CB750F Super Sport - 1979-1982

CB750K - 1979-1982

CB750L LTD - 1979

CB750SC Nighthawk - 1982-1983

CB900C Custom - 1980-1982

CB900F Super Sport - 1981-1982

CB1000C Custom - 1983

CB1100F Super Sport - 1983

CBX1047cc - 1979-1982

 

Fits Yamaha:

SRX250T/TC - 1987

XVZ12TK/TDK Venture & Venture Royal - 1983

XVZ12DL/DKC2/DN Venture Royal - 1984-1985

XVZ13DS/DT Venture Royal - 1986-1987

XVZ13DSC/DTC Venture Royal - 1986-1987

XVZ12T/TC/U/UC Venture - 1987-1988

XVZ13DU/DUC/DW/DWC Venture Royal - 1988-1989

XVZ13DA/DAC/DB/DBC Venture Royal - 1990-1991

XVZ13DD/DDC/DE/DEC Venture Royal - 1992-1993

VMX12N/NC/S/SC V-Max - 1985-1986

VMX12U/UC/W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC/E/EC V-Max - 1988-1993

FJ1100L/LC/N/NC - 1984-1985

FJ1200S/SC/T/TC - 1986-1987

FJ1200W/WC/A/AC/B/BC/D/DC - 1989-1992

FJ1200AD/ADC/AE/AEC (ABS) - 1992-1993

 

Fits Honda Automobiles:

CR-V '02-05

CR-V '06

CR-V '07-11

CR-V '97-01

ELEMENT '03-06

ELEMENT '07-10

ELEMENT '11

PILOT '03-07

PILOT '08

PILOT '09-11

RIDGELINE '06-11

 

Sorry for the pessimism:

 

I checked this eBay listing and they are for thicknesses above 2.90

 

Most Toyotas seem to run 28mm shims, 25mm more on the rare side and on Toyota forums they claim that what Toyota drops in at the factory is all above 3.00mm

 

All of the Honda Cars listed I know very weel. They run K and J series Honda motors and dont have valve shims. The have a screw and nut setup.

Edited December 17, 2019 by jfman

[Prairiehammer]

Sorry for the pessimism:

 

I checked this eBay listing and they are for thicknesses above 2.90

 

Most Toyotas seem to run 28mm shims, 25mm more on the rare side and on Toyota forums they claim that what Toyota drops in at the factory is all above 3.00mm

 

All of the Honda Cars listed I know very weel. They run K and J series Honda motors and dont have valve shims. The have a screw and nut setup.

 

I have corrected my post concerning the Honda automobiles that run valve shims.

I added the Toyota engine models that run 25mm valve shims. They are available from "250" through "330".

 

As for smaller shim thicknesses, keep in mind that Yamaha installed shims at the factory with 0.02mm increments. All aftermarket and new Yamaha shims are in 0.05mm increments. If you can find used shims that were removed and replaced during a valve adjustment, you will undoubtedly have a greater selection of sizes.

[Prairiehammer]

For the thinner 25mm shims at this eBay seller store, search for 26H-12168.

https://www.ebay.com/dsc/Motorcycle-Parts/10063/m.html?_ssn=d_on_rr&_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=%2826h-12169%2C+26H-12168%29&_trksid=m570.l1313&_osacat=10063&_odkw=%2826h-12169%2C+26H-12168%29

[jfman]

Now that I have pulled an measured shims from two seperate ventures I will answer my own question.

 

On the intake side, most shims were 270 and 272 with some 275 and 278.

 

On the the exhaust side, most shims were 282 and 288 with one 280 and one 285

 

Across two bikes I was able to switch about 8 shims from the intake to

the exhaust side.

 

for the same two bikes I ordered a pack of five 2.60 two packs of 5 2.65 and a pack of 5 2.70

 

I am setting all clearances at or near the top of the range.

 

doing two bikes at once to be able to buy shims in bulk.

 

for two bikes I juste spent 230$CAD for 20 shims when said and done. Holy sh..

Edited February 23, 2020 by jfman