Valve Clearance Shim Size?

[StreetSoldierFJ]

I Got my 1989 FJ1200 few months ago got it running really well been riding it every single day. I did my normal maintenance and carb cleaning and tuning. The Bike has over 54k miles on her. Basically, the only thing I have not done is Check the valve clearance. I was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction to the specs of the height and shims needed. I have gone over the whole bike, but I am assuming that this bike never has its valve clearance checked it was owned by an 80-year-old man since 1994. There is a little knocking on warm up. But right now, the temperatures are about 35-40 degrees every morning. Just want to make sure it doesn't need some shims on the valves.

[Pat Conlon]

Sorry Justin, I can't answer your question, because the answer to your shim size question varies.

Here are the minimum to maximum shim to cam clearance specifications:
Exhaust: 0.16 to 0.20 mm
Intake: 0.11 to 0.15 mm

How it works:
1) Measure and record the existing shim to cam clearances. (cold engine)
2) Determine (based on your measurements) which valves are out of specification. (see above)
3) Remove the shims from those valves to see what size is marked on those shims.
4) Based of the sizes of the existing shims, and your measurements, look up in the shim chart ** and that will tell you what size is needed for the new shims.
5) Install the new shims.
** Intake and Exhaust shim charts: https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16002.0

If you are asking where you can find these shims, Harvey posted some info for us:

Shim Applications that are compatible with our FJ's

Honda
CB750, CB750C, CB750F, CB750K, CB750SC dohc (79-83)
CB900C, CB900F, CB1000C, CB1100F, CBX (all)

Triumph
Hinckly triples and fours
Speed Triple, Tiger, Daytona, Trophy, Sprint

* All watercooled three and four cyl. models*

Yamaha
SRX250T (87) SRX250TC (87), XT250L & XT250LC Dual (84)
TT350, XT350 (86-00)
XJ600 Seca II (92-98)
XVZ12 XVZ13 Venture Royale Royal Star (83-93) XVZ1200, XVZ12
VMX1200 V-Max (85-02) Vmax, VMX12

If you live in the 48 states you can also become a contributing member to this forum and thus be able to rent a shim kit from RPM which has all the different size shims you will ever need.

https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8968.0


Cheers.  Pat

[Motofun]

I've found that some of the shims are not true to size as marked.  I mic them before using and sort them accordingly.  The marks go down so that the cam doesn't wear them off.

[RPM - Robert]

Or all sizes are in stock here Yamaha Valve Shim

[StreetSoldierFJ]

Sorry Justin, I can't answer your question, because the answer to your shim size question varies.

Here are the minimum to maximum shim to cam clearance specifications:
Exhaust: 0.16 to 0.20 mm
Intake: 0.11 to 0.15 mm

How it works:
1) Measure and record the existing shim to cam clearances. (cold engine)
2) Determine (based on your measurements) which valves are out of specification. (see above)
3) Remove the shims from those valves to see what size is marked on those shims.
4) Based of the sizes of the existing shims, and your measurements, look up in the shim chart ** and that will tell you what size is needed for the new shims.
5) Install the new shims.
** Intake and Exhaust shim charts: https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=16002.0

If you are asking where you can find these shims, Harvey posted some info for us:

Shim Applications that are compatible with our FJ's

Honda
CB750, CB750C, CB750F, CB750K, CB750SC dohc (79-83)
CB900C, CB900F, CB1000C, CB1100F, CBX (all)

Triumph
Hinckly triples and fours
Speed Triple, Tiger, Daytona, Trophy, Sprint

* All watercooled three and four cyl. models*

Yamaha
SRX250T (87) SRX250TC (87), XT250L & XT250LC Dual (84)
TT350, XT350 (86-00)
XJ600 Seca II (92-98)
XVZ12 XVZ13 Venture Royale Royal Star (83-93) XVZ1200, XVZ12
VMX1200 V-Max (85-02) Vmax, VMX12

If you live in the 48 states you can also become a contributing member to this forum and thus be able to rent a shim kit from RPM which has all the different size shims you will ever need.

https://fjowners.com/index.php?topic=8968.0


Cheers.  Pat

Thanks That exactly what I was looking for. gives me a good idea

[StreetSoldierFJ]

I've found that some of the shims are not true to size as marked.  I mic them before using and sort them accordingly.  The marks go down so that the cam doesn't wear them off.

Ok thanks!

[Waiex191]

I've found that some of the shims are not true to size as marked.  I mic them before using and sort them accordingly.  The marks go down so that the cam doesn't wear them off.

I haven't done my valves in years.  Not that many miles on the bike since I started riding it again.  My recollection was that the Yamaha shims were generally pretty true to size, unlike the old Suzuki GS shims.

[Motofun]

The Yamaha shims weren't radically wrong but sometimes a half size or so.  I try to be on the loose side of the acceptable range for a street bike and an "in between" size shim is helpful for this.  Then again I go years between valve checks...usually I end up doing because the cover gasket needs to be replaced and I'm half way there anyways.