Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site calma.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!sun!calma!struve
From: struve@calma.UUCP (Dimetry Struve)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: Re: Shims
Message-ID: <197@calma.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Mar-86 16:00:46 EST
Article-I.D.: calma.197
Posted: Fri Mar 21 16:00:46 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 30-Mar-86 08:08:11 EST
References: <8800034@uiucdcs> <1500001@uok.UUCP>
Reply-To: struve@calma.UUCP (Dimetry Struve)
Organization: GE/Calma Co., R&D Systems Engineering, Milpitas, CA
Lines: 13

I think the Kawasaki 750 (wasn't that the bike in the original article)
uses shims under the cam follower. This means the cams have to be removed
to replace the shims. This is more time-consuming than difficult. I was
very reluctant to try adjusting the valves on my CB900F, and had the dealer
do it a few times. The Honda has the shims on top of the tappets, and they
can be pried out with a screwdriver. When I finally decided to try the job
myself, I found that it's easier to check and set the clearances than it is
to get the tank, valve cover, etc. off to reach the cams. I also learned
that the last time the dealer had done it, they had screwed up. Needless to
say, I'll never trust them again. Incidentally, my bike has required about
four valves to be adjusted in almost 50k miles. The Kawasaki, with the
shims not in direct contact with the cam should last forever.