Does anyone have experience with after market shims in a ZX14R? None of the ones I have found match the O.D. of my factory shims. The closest ones (9.48) are a few hundredths too small which may or may not be a problem?? When I call local shops, I'm told the listings for the aftermarket specs stop at the 2011 model year, which adds to my concern that the smaller O.D. may be a problem. I could special order the factory shims, however I need 14 of them and at $13 a shim its pushing $200 verses $5 for a pack of 5 aftermarket shims. Some of the local shops also warn of aftermarket shim reliability while others use aftermarket in their service department, none have experience with 2012 ZX14R. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

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Maybe you can find shims a lot cheaper = (HERE)

Rook's valve adjustment tutorial = (HERE)

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

O.D? outside diameter is dif? The thickness is the key but I suppose the diameter could cause problems if it's way too small. Kind of doubt a few hundreds/inch would matter. I used Hot Cams shims. Never measured the diameter. Hot cams are usually off on the thickness but if you buy some extra or can wait to order what you think you need, you can work with them. Probably you will end up buying some OEMs to get the most crucial thicknesses dead on ---if you are pushing spec on your adjustment. Shoot for the middle of spec and I think you will be ok with Hot Cams. MAKE SURE YOU MIC THEM.

I run both aftermarket shims. They fit within that clearance so you still need to square them going in. If they were that bad, I'd think those two companies would have returns up the wazoo, plus the complains on line. But when I researched, nothing. So more R&D using both brands and between both sizes, I aimed for a loose clearance. I'll know next interval or wait for an uncommon noise... whichever comes first.

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it. I have been using Rook's valve adjustment and related tutorials for the job, as well as reviewing the related comments, all of which have been very helpful! I had two intake valves comfortably in spec, three exhaust valves out of spec tight, and the rest were all barely in spec on the tight end. Since the cams had to come out to adjust the three exhaust, I'm definitely going to adjust the rest up into the middle of the range while I'm at it, hence the need for fourteen shims. I do have to order a few of the 2.325 and 2.375 sizes from Kawasaki in order to hit my target but I will give the Hot Cams shims a try for the rest, as long as they mic as needed.
I have only adjusted the valves on one other motorcycle, a 94 zx11, and the fact that the frame went around the engine instead of over it, along with the cams not needing to come out, made that a picnic compared to this project!

I feel guilty for not getting all those pics up on all threads yet. If you need them just ask. I'm spending quite a bit of time trying to help a guy sort out his map/tune/PC5.

BTW, Jaded--the OEM shims do not fit with super close tolerances. They pull right out with a magnet and drop in easy with your fingers. I'm sure they float in a film of oil when the motor is running. I doubt if a few 100/" smaller diameter is going to make a difference.

Just to throw in another.....

I've used the Pro-X shims for years purchased from Rocky Mountain ATV

1.99 available in half sizes too.

Pro-X Shims

I went with aftermarket (Pro-X due to size choices) for all of them and I feel much better about the fit and reliability concerns I had. Thanks again to everyone for your input, very helpful!

just make sure you mic them. OEM are exactly what they say but aftermarkets can be off.