Thanks to a visit from Jambojeef yesterday, we managed to identify why my replacement engine won't fire. Chronically low compression.

Even chucking a teaspoon of oil wouldn't bring the compression up, so we discounted the rings.

So we set about the valve timing, using a can of guinness and an angle grinder. Oh yes, nothing but the best engineering practice here!

Anyway, the exhaust valves are all OK, but the inlet valves are WAYYYYY out. We eventually reduced the thickness of a pair of shims for one cylinder down from 2.42 to 2.10. This brought the compression for that cylinder up from 25 psi to the expected 150psi.

So I need 8 2.10mm x 9.5mm valve shims. Any ideas? Wemoto have them at £5 each plus delivery!!!!

I'm about to try my local Kawak dealer, but don't fancy my chances of improving on £5 each.........

Has anyone got any spares, or any ideas on getting the existing ones planed down?

I have a small drawer with some Z1000 ones from my halycon days....

Not sure what size.. or if they are the same.. what diameter are the shims Mike?

Got the proper tool somewhere too...

Just wish I still had the bike

quote:

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Originally posted by coozer
I have a small drawer with some Z1000 ones from my halycon days....

Not sure what size.. or if they are the same.. what diameter are the shims Mike?

Got the proper tool somewhere too...

Just wish I still had the bike

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by coozer
I have a small drawer with some Z1000 ones from my halycon days....

Not sure what size.. or if they are the same.. what diameter are the shims Mike?

Got the proper tool somewhere too...

Just wish I still had the bike

---

Doh!

Just found this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/47-valve-shims-9-5mm-9-48-honda-suzuki-kawasaki-yamaha_W0QQitemZ320504065160QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item4a9f 87ec88

any good?

Only 1 of each size but each of your valves is unlikely to need exactly the same shim anyway....fingers crossed!

and a "mere" £3 each inc. p&p

http://www.zoomfactory.co.uk/hotcams-valve-shim-kits.asp

Thanks Geoff
Saw the ones on ebay last night. Trouble is by the time you add P&P and the wait (I'm very impatient)! I can't seem to beat what the local Kwak dealer has them in for (£5).

Oh well....... anything to get it running today.

Best get yourself down the hill then!

Let me know if they are doing 0% on anything exciting!

I maybe trying to teach granny to suck eggs but have you measured all the clearances? As somebody else pointed out they probably won't all be the same

Once you know what size of shim you need for each valve, remove all the shims and you may find that you can swap the shims around and only end up having to buy a few shims.

Alternatively whip them all out and nip down to your local machine shop and get them to bung them on the surface grinder and grind them to the required size.

I'm in Ghana or I may have been able to help with shims.

Regards
Davie

^^^ I was gonna say that but assujed you already had that.

You may want to search kwaka fora - on the Z1 forum the peeps do a shim swap type thing.

I can aks on there but need to know engine size/model/year for best results; you may get lucky.

[Edited on 14/4/10 by 02GF74]

Thanks guys. For some unknown reason all the exhaust valve shims are spot on. It's the 8 inlet ones that are miles out.

I've measured / checked all of my shims and there is no swapping around to be done

So I've been to my local stealer who does them on an exchange basis. Got them now, just got to find time to fit them and try the engine.

Mike