I'm about to delve into my valve adjustment, but have a question pertaining to shim measurement. In the desmotimes book, the shims are measured with a micrometer, in a fashion that looks as though the shims slide over the micrometer stems. Does this suggest that the shims are being measured from one edge to the interior lip?
In the ca-cyclework's videos, Chris measures the shims with a pair of calipers. My assumption is that these measurements would be larger than a micrometer reading, as the measurement is from edge to edge.
I have digital calipers, and am wondering what kind of measurement I can expect to perform. Thanks guys.
This shows you a good way to measure the closer shims:
http://www.emsduc.com/assets/Discolor.explanation.pdf (http://www.emsduc.com/assets/Discolor.explanation.pdf)
Opener shims for 8mm stem valves can be measured directly with a micrometer.
Opener shims for 7mm stem valves can be measured directly with *some* micrometers.
How do you measure the openers with a caliper?
For measuring 8mm openers with a caliper, IIRC you can use a Kawasaki valve shim in the counterbore.
Here is an image illustrating my question. From my understanding, you will get a different reading whether measuring an opener with a micrometer or with a caliper. Am I off here? How are the openers measured at the factory or an outfit such as EMS?
I am not concerned with the closers, as I have the shim measuring tool. This tool seems to measure the distance from the bottom of the closer to the inner lip of the top. Hence my confusion on properly measuring the openers.
(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm244/csorin/Motorcycle/valve_measurement.jpg)
The measurement "This?" shown in blue, is the one you want.
For measuring with a caliper, you need a spacer (such as the kawasaki shim) inserted in the counterbore/pocket.
Ah, thanks Speeddog. Can I use the closer measuring tool with the opener? At least the bit that inserts into the closer? If not, there is a Kawasaki dealership down the street.
I suppose you could use the closer measuring tool that way, I've not tried that.
You would need to compare it against a direct measurement from a micrometer just to be sure...
I had a very difficult time measuring my shims w/ the caliper, so I basically would sand the shim (if needed) put it back on the valve stem and used the feeler gauges to measure the new clearance. If that clearance was not to my satisfaction i would remove the shim and sand more. So basically I would have to take shim off and put back on a bunch of times. Pretty annoying but I felt more confident doing that since I kept getting different measurements w/ the caliper, depending on how firm my grip was. Good luck
Oh speeddog I still have those rotors for you.... I keep forgetting to bring them when I pass through.
Quote from: uclabiker06 on November 09, 2010, 04:35:50 PM
Oh speeddog I still have those rotors for you.... I keep forgetting to bring them when I pass through.
Any time. ;)
UCLAbiker, I ended up doing that exact thing. Sanding, refitting, sanding some more.
Also, as an aside, the closer measuring tool (top-hat looking one) can be used to measure the openers as well. Just zero the length of the tool, and slip the opener over the end.
use a micrometer, even a cheap $20 micrometer is better than a caliper in this case.
You can measure your feeler gauge and see how accurate it is and just use that to correct your shims as you sand it.