Shim sizes - might make some up

[vtec]

Hi there,

Well, I've been doing some engine work recently, and noticed that there was no decent supplier of shims in NZ, and the ones that you can get hold of seem overpriced to me. So I was thinking of making up a whole lot of the most commonly required diameter's with a full range of useful thicknesses.

So the info that I need, is what diameter and range of thickness you generally require when adjusting your valves and also point out the type of bike that they fit into and the year of manufacturer. I'm currently working on a CBR250RR engine, and I know that the same shims fit in the CBR400's. I was planning on making up a whole lot. Still just in the planning stage at the moment, but it won't take too much to get them made up.

[erik]

1991 fzx250 (my previous bike) shims are 7.5mm diameter. The ones I've got left over range from 1.65mm to 1.72mm thickness. I can't remember the thicknesses I had to use when replacing them.

Have you heard of
http://www.precisionshims.com.au/
?

I'd think you'd have a hard time getting rid of shims if you were just going to make a 1 off batch up.

the gsf400 doesn't use shims.

[imdying]

Pretty sure there's a place in oz doing this nice n cheap. They also make to order.

[vtec]

Thanks for letting me know the sizes erik, I think many will be about 7.5mm in diameter, that makes it easy to choose what size to make a first batch. Yep I've had a look at precisionshims.com.au I just personally don't like ordering things from overseas for some reason... Might resort to it soon though.

The thing is, most people would like to have a collection of shims, so they don't have to leave their engine open while they have to order some bloody shims from overseas. Also, all the prices i have seen seem exhorbitant for something as simple as a precision machined metal disc. I'm not just going to make a couple. If I'm going to make any, I'll pump them out in the thousands.

I like the idea of making up a shim kit for different kinds of bikes, would sell a whole stack for a reasonable price. And the convenience of having your own shims would be enough to sell it for some. Who wants to go chasing down wreckers for second hand shims that you pay $5 each for when you could buy a full range for a reasonable price... would also sell them in small lots too, to order. But an affordable shim kit including a full range of sizes would be a pretty handy thing.

[HDTboy]

I think FZR1000 shims are the same size too

[Smokin]

If you make em, they will follow.

Well I will anyway.

Keep them cheap and im sure you will sell them by the shed load once word get's around

[R6_kid:Me]

i know that most workshops have their own set of shims, and generally interchange within the bike or with the set they have... but i could see that some people would want them. Off the top of my head the ones in the R6 are numbered in a certain way to help with the process of changing them.

[Ixion]

I would like to have an assortment, for the reason me ntioned, the delay when having to order specific ones (and the worry that one may have miscalculated or mismeasured).

But the price of those presently available prohibits.

[HDTboy]

RF900s have a similar size shim to the above as well. I'll confirm the size tonight

[emaN]

RF900s have a similar size shim to the above as well. I'll confirm the size tonight

oh will you just...?!

and who's "patient" is to be used for this exploratory probing?

[HDTboy]

Not telling you

[NodMan:Me]

Good on ya!! I'd sure be interested in some if ya making em

i hate the hunting round shops and wreckers for the odd size that everybody else needed just before me!!

old kwaka GPZs and turbo use 13mm shims from 2.00 to 3.20mm

real old kwaka Z1 an z1000 use BIG 29mm shims from 2.00 to abt 2.85mm (share with some older Yamys I think)

but the BIGGEST seems to be Suzi GS1000 at 32mm shims (now where are those old 20 and 50 cent coins)

[Motu]

I must be missing something here.30 years ago we used to have a collection of shims to use on Hillman Imps and Jaguars,then Austin Maxi's.Later I worked for a Fiat agent (1980) and we had a collection of over bucket shims,but I only delved into it a couple of times,we didn't even have the special tool,just used a couple of screwdrivers.We never even bother to check tappets now,manufacturing tolerences are so good everything stays in spec.Years ago I fitted a replacement cyl head to a TT250,the original had cracked and I got the newer improved head for a replacement,secondhand.After cleaning up and lapping in the valves I did a dummy assemble to see what shims I needed - it was perfect using all the components from the original head,freakin amaising.I would pull a lot more engines down than anyone here - and I got no need for shims.