Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: EddiE J. on September 23, 2019, 08:12:13 AM

Title: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: EddiE J. on September 23, 2019, 08:12:13 AM
removed
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: kzz1king on September 23, 2019, 10:56:39 AM
Do you have your clearances so you can just figure which you need? Cant switch any around to get there? I cant remember where I ordered mine. I think I still have a couple in the packages. Pretty reasonable.

Wayne
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: robertv on September 23, 2019, 12:38:09 PM
Murphs has a valve adjustment kit with other items needed for this project...

https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=525&osCsid=1okP8Ns0dMyfT5FYIFnHz2 (https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=525&osCsid=1okP8Ns0dMyfT5FYIFnHz2)

Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: maxtog on September 23, 2019, 03:15:38 PM
Murphs has a valve adjustment kit with other items needed for this project...

https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=525&osCsid=1okP8Ns0dMyfT5FYIFnHz2 (https://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=525&osCsid=1okP8Ns0dMyfT5FYIFnHz2)

He is asking for the shims, though.  Murph's kit (which, I also ordered) has everything you need EXCEPT the shims (and tools, of course).
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: maxtog on September 23, 2019, 03:26:38 PM
Has anyone purchased the 208pcs AHL shim kit from Amazon ? I need a starter kit for the 9.48mm under bucket shims . All of mine are the wrong size.

I might be in this "bucket" soon, too (pun intended).  You didn't mention vendor or part.  I will assume you mean this (or something similar):

https://www.amazon.com/XooLoon-Compatible-1992-1995-Thickness-1-20-4-00/dp/B07TZLXDQF (https://www.amazon.com/XooLoon-Compatible-1992-1995-Thickness-1-20-4-00/dp/B07TZLXDQF)
XooLoon Compatible for 9.48mm Valve Shim Kit Kawasaki ZR1100,Thickness 1.20-4.00 mm 208 Pcs  $73

The kit contains 4 of each size in 0.5mm increments.  Seems like a reasonable price for so many shims.  If you needed to replace all 16 (which seems VERY unlikely since you can usually swap at least SOME around) at $5 a pop from a dealer, it is about the same cost.  But if you just need a few, and for one bike, it is a bit pricey.

Here is a similar kit with just 1 of each size from 1.2 to 3.5mm in same increments for $35:
https://www.amazon.com/AHL-9-48mm-Adjustable-Kawasaki-2006-2010/dp/B01GJOYYHA (https://www.amazon.com/AHL-9-48mm-Adjustable-Kawasaki-2006-2010/dp/B01GJOYYHA)

But if you need more than 1 of a size (which seems more likely for most people), that kit it isn't much help.  In my case, I don't want to be down extra days waiting for an order and risk of it being wrong.

I haven't yet contacted local dealers to see if/what they carry and the pricing, as I prepare for the project.

Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 23, 2019, 06:15:18 PM
90% of the contents of ANY "KIT" will never be used.. why waste money, on shims out of the realm of ever being needed?

Most important part of the adjustment/inspection is measuring and recording what is actually in there, and replacing those, or swapping around existing ones.

as I note, you will NEVER ever need 90% of the contents of a kit, during the life of the bike, but you will need specific ones, in quantity, of the next higher thickness, when swapping.. and that may be based on the .05mm ratings.. which you only would get 4 each of, in any kit.. you have 16 shims... so you will likely need a bunch of the "same size ones" if bringing things to spec... HotCam kits do NOT offer the finite half sizes we use, so you may be even stuck there, with 100% of your "kit" un usable..
measure, record, and purchase shims as needed, after recording the data, and on paper figuring the swaps...
don't forget, you can also measure the head thickness of every shim bucket, and swap those around also, to really close the gaps.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: The Pope on September 24, 2019, 03:59:10 AM
Just so you know (and this is where I got my shims from):

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/2012/ninja-zx-14r-zx1400ecf/valve-s (https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/2012/ninja-zx-14r-zx1400ecf/valve-s)

The shims used on the ZX14 are the same as the ones used on the C14.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: maxtog on September 24, 2019, 05:35:00 AM
Just so you know (and this is where I got my shims from):

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/2012/ninja-zx-14r-zx1400ecf/valve-s (https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/kawasaki/motorcycle/2012/ninja-zx-14r-zx1400ecf/valve-s)

Wow, $9.04 per shim and $8 for 4-day shipping!  Ouch.  Maybe my estimate of $5 at a dealer is way off.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: Freddy on September 24, 2019, 06:15:07 AM
Jake Wilson used to sell shims cheap but they don't seem to be around anymore.  I have used Honda shims as they're cheaper than K shims ansd more readily available I've found.


SHIM, TAPPET (1.70)
14921-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.725)
14922-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.750)
14923-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.775)
14924-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.80)
14925-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.825)
14926-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.850)
14927-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.875)
14928-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.90)
14929-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.925)
14930-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.950)
14931-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (1.975)
14932-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.00)
14933-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.025)
14934-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.050)
14935-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.075)
14936-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.10)
14937-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.125)
14938-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.150)
14939-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.175)
14940-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.20)
14941-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.225)
14942-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.250)
14943-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.275)
14944-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.30)
14945-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.325)
14946-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.350)
14947-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.375)
14948-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.40)
14949-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.425)
14950-MBB-000

SHIM, TAPPET (2.450)
14951-MBB-000


 :chugbeer:

Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: kzz1king on September 24, 2019, 08:23:06 AM
Jake Wilson is now Rocky Mountain ATV.  These are the shims I got I believe. Did mine in the winter so was not concerned with downtime. Shipped pretty fast though.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/pro-x-valve-shim-p (https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/pro-x-valve-shim-p)
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: maxtog on September 24, 2019, 03:36:17 PM
Jake Wilson is now Rocky Mountain ATV.  These are the shims I got I believe. Did mine in the winter so was not concerned with downtime. Shipped pretty fast though.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/pro-x-valve-shim-p (https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/parts/pro-x-valve-shim-p)

Yeah, $2 is much better.  $7 shipping.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: EddiE J. on September 24, 2019, 03:55:12 PM
Freddy !   Yea Buddy  I read about Honda shims work very nicely and that list is very helpful . I think I will open it up and measure / log sizes and head to the Honda dealer and pick up a few smaller and larger than whats in their . and call that my starter set !
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 24, 2019, 05:43:48 PM
Freddy !   Yea Buddy  I read about Honda shims work very nicely and that list is very helpful . I think I will open it up and measure / log sizes and head to the Honda dealer and pick up a few smaller and larger than whats in their . and call that my starter set !

I was looking for my Jake Wilson shim link, and could not find it.. but seems like Freddy and kzz1king hit it on the nailhead, they have the ones for low $ and make it easy.. I actually did all my measurements (one at a time, shim number, measured thickness to  decimal places with micrometers, not calipers, and also measured the thickness of each bucket's "head") and then replaced each until I got the setup worked out on my chart.. then I went to local Honda shops, and Kaw shops, and swapped with them, which they were all nice enough to do. I think I only needed to buy 2 shims, and got them in a couple days.. that is the "time consuming" part of the inspection.. but I saved buying more shims, by swapping bucket positions, as they vary in head thickness across the line.
As for your comment about buying smaller shims.. don't waste money on buying anything below the thinnest shim you find, you will always need "thicker shims, never thinner ones".


doh... BRAIN FART... SORRY..... I meant the opposite... don't buy thick ones....   :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:
I might be interested in taking some of those old KZ1000 shims off your hands tho..(along with that bucket tool lever thingy.. I lost mine).. shoot me a list of what you have, via a p/m, and when I open up my old '78 KZ this winter, I may need some...
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: JerBear on September 24, 2019, 09:33:51 PM

As for your comment about buying smaller shims.. don't waste money on buying anything below the thinnest shim you find, you will always need "thicker shims, never thinner ones".

Don't you mean just the opposite?  If the measurement is tight the shim will need to be thinner to increase the clearance (I think?)
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: Freddy on September 24, 2019, 11:04:46 PM
Yes, I think he does but he may be a little :loco: at present.   :rotflmao:  :chugbeer:   :thumbs:
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on September 25, 2019, 02:59:48 PM
Yes, I think he does but he may be a little :loco: at present.   :rotflmao:  :chugbeer:   :thumbs:

Doh..... sorry... I corrected it... I was multi tasking and had a brain fart..    you are correct.....  my bad. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :goodpost: :hail: :hail: :hail: :thumbs: :salute:
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: maxtog on October 21, 2019, 03:10:02 PM
I might be in this "bucket" soon, too (pun intended).  [...] I haven't yet contacted local dealers to see if/what they carry and the pricing, as I prepare for the project.

Today I contacted both Kawasaki dealers.  Neither will sell/swap shims.  I also contacted the Honda dealer.  They don't have much on hand of our size.  So it looks like I will be stuck measuring, ordering, then waiting.  Sucks.
Title: Re: Valve Shim Kit
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on October 21, 2019, 05:24:12 PM
Today I contacted both Kawasaki dealers.  Neither will sell/swap shims.  I also contacted the Honda dealer.  They don't have much on hand of our size.  So it looks like I will be stuck measuring, ordering, then waiting.  Sucks.

Mic your needed shims, don't trust the markings, figure the shim sizes you need, and drive to the dealerships and talk face to face (not on the phone, not in an email) to the counter guy.. let him toss his shim box on the counter, and you measure the ones you "think" you need with a micrometer (4 place micro, not "calipers").. and he will swap them.. tjeey all will.. never ever had a disappointing visit and talk with a parts guy, face to face.. you would be a bit surprised what/how much that counts, when wanting something..
Nobody want's to be nice on the phone, be nice, walk in, strike up the conversation... and see what happens..

Oh, don't write off that Honda dealer either... do the same with him.. they actually sell shims in the graduations we use.. and are much more prolifically found... btdt.