Valves

[JPaganel]

Checked valves today.  Yikes.

Intakes are sorta tight, exhausts are pretty damn tight.  Good thing I didn't actually start flogging this thing.

Now, I need to figure out a way to make the tool.  If that doesn't come together, I can always try the copper wire trick I used on my Yamahas.

Speaking of Yamahas.  The shims seem to be the same 29mm that they use.  Is that right?

[Laitch]

Speaking of Yamahas.  The shims seem to be the same 29mm that they use.  Is that right?

Maybe. Maybe not.

[stokester]

Checked valves today.  Yikes.

Intakes are sorta tight, exhausts are pretty damn tight.  Good thing I didn't actually start flogging this thing.

Now, I need to figure out a way to make the tool.  If that doesn't come together, I can always try the copper wire trick I used on my Yamahas.

Speaking of Yamahas.  The shims seem to be the same 29mm that they use.  Is that right?

Ken Lively makes a good tool set for a great price and I bought shims from here -> https://www.newmotorcycleparts.net/motor_parts/valve_shims.html

[JPaganel]

Maybe. Maybe not.

Hm. I don't remember seeing any chamfer on the shims last time I did valves on my XJ...

Granted, that was a while ago, and I might be misremembering. 

[K1300S]

Ken Lively makes a good tool set for a great price and I bought shims from here -> https://www.newmotorcycleparts.net/motor_parts/valve_shims.html

this..

just buy the tool from Ken.  cheap and ez.

[John Lang]

I used a Kawasaki 29mm spacer. My BMW/Kawasaki/Triumph dealer had the thickness I needed in stock, and it was a bit cheaper.

[gone_ape]

I concur on Ken Lively's tools.  I have them and they work great - fuss free and it's soooo much more enjoyable to have the right tool instead of rummaging through your tool box for alternatives that will screw it up for you. 
Buy them...He ships fast and you will not regret it.....

[billday]

My k100 uses the same shims as my '83 Yamaha xs400.

Get the right tools for the job.

[brichbk]

i just ordered the valve tool from Polepenhollow Valve Tools and Clutch Pilots, polepenhollow@yahoo.com.  I ordered in the evening and he shipped the next day.  I've got 5-6 shims to remove so having the right tool will be very helpful.

[stokester]

i just ordered the valve tool from Polepenhollow Valve Tools and Clutch Pilots, polepenhollow@yahoo.com.  I ordered in the evening and he shipped the next day.  I've got 5-6 shims to remove so having the right tool will be very helpful.

Good move. 

Supporting Ken helps us all.

[JPaganel]

Being cheap an impatient I made my own tool.

All the shims had the numbers worn off. This was unpleasant - Yamaha shims keep their numbers better. 

I got a caliper and measured.  Does this math look good?

Intake

Clearance 0.14 0.14 0.14 0.11
Shim 2.50 2.55 2.60 2.60
New shim 2.45   2.50 2.55 2.50


Exhaust

Clearance 0.07 0.11 0.24 0.16
Shim 2.50 2.50 2.40 2.50
New shim 2.30 2.30 2.35 2.35

As far as I can tell, a couple will make it over maximum, but just barely. Loose is better than tight, and going the other way would give me just over the minimum.

[Laitch]

All the shims had the numbers worn off. This was unpleasant  Does this math look good?
Intake  Loose is better than tight, and going the other way would give me just over the minimum.

This is a nothing-burger—just subtraction and addition. If you're already convinced of the outcomes, what's left for discussion? The unpleasant part is behind you, apparently.  Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!

[JPaganel]

This turned out kind of amazing.

I called up the local BMW bike dealer to get a baseline on the shim price. 

I got this guy, he says "you sure it's the old K100?", I say it's an 86. He says it's the first BMW he worked on, the bike he started on as a mechanic.  And then he says he has a shim kit, his personal one, not belonging to the shop. And I can just borrow it. Free.

I show up, expecting to pay a deposit, or leave something as collateral. Nothing. He just hands me the two boxes and says to bring them back tomorrow.

So, I got my valves set for free with OEM shims. And the bike runs nice.

[Filmcamera]

Wow that is a result! Congratulations. :clap:

[Martin]

I'd take him a bottle of something, or at least a six pack as a sign of appreciation and his trust. It is good to see things like this are still happening.
Regards Martin.

[stokester]

I'd take him a bottle of something, or at least a six pack as a sign of appreciation and his trust. It is good to see things like this are still happening.
Regards Martin.

At least...

[lmiklosy]

What is the most common thickness of shim found on stock engines, that is what shim is used most often when these motors were manufactured?  (Maybe  2.50mm)   Maybe frankenduck Laitch Martin Chaos knows?  Thank you.