Valve shim adjustment mystery...

[fintip]

So, after a few months of interning at that motorcycle mechanic shop, the shop owner and I amicably parted ways. Being on good terms, however, I still stop by occasionally, and we sometimes go on rides together.

So when I needed to do my valve adjustment, knowing I had seen the right tool in his shop before, I asked if I could borrow it (being that it is kind of rarely used by him, as one might imagine...). No problem.

I could not, for the life of me, get the tool to work.

The XJ650, my last bike, used an almost identical shim and bucket design, only it was 2-valve per cylinder, the the tool was shaped to get one bucket at a time instead of two. I did multiple valve adjustments with that tool, on two different XJ's, utilizing the two generations of valve covers that line had. My point: I know how this tool is supposed to work.

Nada. I finally gave up, put the bike back together, and drove over to his shop and have him watch over my shoulder and see if I was doing something immensely stupid.

The tool just seems defective. Like it is too short. Those are his words, and it makes sense. That's exactly how it was acting.

It was the correct tool. I checked the part number. It was Kent Moore, the original tool manufacturer. Just... Didn't work. (Did not seem bent or otherwise damaged, either.)

(By the way: if flynt reads this, I think I read your thread--at least I think it was you--where you were doing your first FJ valve adjustment. You mentioned having to modify the tool to get it to work, but didn't explain further. Care to?)

So anyways, he had a box full of various valve adjustment tools, and he pulled one out that had no markings (no part numbers or brand names) on it. After a little experimentation, turns out...

...it works. Beautifully. In fact, it works way better than the factory tool, I'll say--no need to screw anything in, except for by finger. Check it out:





By the end of the day, I was so fast with popping shims in and out that it was practically a blur. (slight exaggeration. )My google-fu, normally quite strong, is coming up with nothing. He didn't know anything about its origins--he got it second hand in a group buy from a guy who gave him a load of yamaha valve adjustment tools a long time ago.

Anyone have any idea where I can find one of these? Or even info that will help me continue the search on my own?

[Flynt]

if flynt reads this, I think I read your thread--at least I think it was you--where you were doing your first FJ valve adjustment. You mentioned having to modify the tool to get it to work...

wasn't me...  I used the tool in Randy's kit without issue.

Frank

[FJmonkey]

My tool works well without modification.

[fintip]

It was leon, in this thread: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5982.0

[Bminder]

My tool works well without modification.

[movenon]

I know this doesn't answer your question but.. For anyone looking to buy a valve shim tool this is an inexpensive solution. This is an eBay link but it is a Motion Pro tool. Cycle Gear or any supplier can get one.  For less than 15.00 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motion-Pro-Yamaha-Valve-Shim-Tool-08-0020-08-0020-/161120805758?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item25838c637e&vxp=mtr.

I have a factory tool and it works great.

George

[fintip]

George: I own one of those. It is what was used on the XJ series bikes. I do not believe it will work on the FJ because there are not enough bolt mount points to allow removing each shim individually, only one mount point per side of cylinder.

[movenon]

George: I own one of those. It is what was used on the XJ series bikes. I do not believe it will work on the FJ because there are not enough bolt mount points to allow removing each shim individually, only one mount point per side of cylinder.

I have never used the Motion Pro. They claim it will work with the FJ's. I guess a call to Motion Pro would answer the question. ?
George

[racerrad8]

I have never used the Motion Pro. They claim it will work with the FJ's. I guess a call to Motion Pro would answer the question. ?
George

No need to call...

It does not work.

Randy - RPM

[Capn Ron]

I'm going to be checking valve clearances soon...

That Ebay ad has this at the bottom:

Replaces Yamaha OEM YM-01245
Will NOT Fit: XZ550, XVZ1200/1300, FJ1100/1200, XT250L, XT/TT350

Cap'n Ron. . .

[movenon]

I'm going to be checking valve clearances soon...

That Ebay ad has this at the bottom:

Replaces Yamaha OEM YM-01245
Will NOT Fit: XZ550, XVZ1200/1300, FJ1100/1200, XT250L, XT/TT350

Cap'n Ron. . .

Guess that puts it to bed, thanks   . Sorry about the bum information, is today Monday? ...  I can't find any info on the tool is asking about. Back to the factory tool, works great...
George

[racerrad8]

The correct Yamaha part number for the FJ1200 tool is YM-33966 per the GYSM.

Valve Adjusting Tool

Kyle, the cam lobe compresses the bucket and then you install the tool. I have heard from many people that try and install the tool and use it to compress the buckets and that will not work as the angles wont allow the screw to go in.

That is a pretty cool looking tool, I have never seen one in my 19years of FJ service work.

Randy - RPM

[fintip]

Right, I'm aware of how to use it. The problem is, it was 'installable' even when the cam wasn't holding down the bucket--that's the thing that finally convinced me the tool was defective.

(And it was 33966; I couldn't remember exactly, just that it was a lot of multiples of threes. I checked it at the time.)

I was pointing the lobes to hold the bucket all the way down, installing it, and the buckets would just rise right up in spite of the installed tool when I'd then rotate the cam to release it.

Either a defective or damaged tool.

Still, even when it works, it takes longer to put on and take off than this one did. (Though it does do two at once, it is also probably more awkward to fit on the corner exhaust valves.

And if you haven't seen that tool, probably no one has. Bummer. I'd love to have one myself. Frustrating. I imagine it never caught on and the manufacturer is long gone.

[racerrad8]

...damaged tool.

That is quite common as people turn the cam lobes against the tool and bend it. Plus it is some sort of hardened spring steel that once it is bent usually will not bend back without breaking.

Randy - RPM