* Last updated by: darryle on 3/27/2010 @ 7:32 PM *

zip ties make life easier

* Last updated by: darryle on 3/27/2010 @ 7:39 PM *

where are you located in Ontario darryle, i'm looking for someone who can do valve adjustments, i'm in Cambridge

The hardest part is tearing the bike down,I took lots of pictures to help put all the wires and plumbing back where they go.I\m not putting her back together until my valve cover gasket comes in on tuesday, don't want to take a chance of the famous valve cover leak.Once the valve cover is off check the shim clearences.MAKE A CHART!Line up all yout timing marks as per the manual.Zip tie the cam chain to the cam sprockets.Remove your cam tensioner,chain guide then camshaft cap bolts.I had to buy 5 shims,all my valves but 1 needed shim change,but 10 shims could be interchanged.The shims have inked numbers on them,not always legible.You will have to check them with calipers.When you bolt the cams back down the camshaft timing will appear to be out.DO NOT ROTATE CRANK.Cock your tensioner and reinstall,remove the zip ties and rotate the crank two turns then check your timing marks.Recheck your valve clearences,torque every thing then check again. Tools required: good set of long feeler guages,calipers to check shims,heavy zip ties a case of beer,a camera.The actual adjustment takes about 3 beers.If it takes longer then 3 beers stop work drink the other 9 and check again tomorrow.(BPH work time=1 beer per hour) based on consumption of canadian beer.BPH may be doubled if drinking american beer

did mine last summer before a long haul..all were in spec. It was not a big deal checking them ..prolly would have been more "fun" if I actually had to change some shims.
I found workin on the bike pretty straight forward even though I had never done any head work on my bikes before. Shop manual some patience and its done.
Personally I just could not face the thought of letting the "mechanics" at the stealership check them ...especially when after I asked how much it would cost to get them to check them they said "Gee we don't know ..we never dun a ZX14 before."
After a 2 minute pow wow with the accumulated wind tunnels wrecking peoples bikes for money in the "shop" they came back on the line and said .." Ah....maybe like ah .. a grand????"
I was committed at that point.

* Last updated by: painterdude on 3/30/2010 @ 10:56 AM *

I found,getting to the valve cover the worst part.The shimming wasn't bad to do. Now I'm losing my patience,been waiting over a week for my valve cover gasket.If not in tomorrow,I'm going to Kawasaki and pik it up myself

..I reused mine and its fine ..no leaks

Iknow what your saying but I keep thinking of Murphys law,I dont want to take a chance for a lousey 32.00 dollars,besdes if I'm grumpy enough the wife might be nice to me. after being married long enough foreplay is 2 hours of begging,Damm that Brock header is starting to look good

Is this exactly what I need to check the valve clearance? Good price?? --$18 w/ shipping

FEELER GAUGE

Where would I get shims if I needed to adjust?

* Last updated by: Rook on 1/8/2011 @ 9:09 PM *

Rook the guage looks good ,the price is right .You'll end up taking it apart and using the blades without the body,I'm drawing a drunken mental blank on the shims,cant remember but shims are not necessary manufacture specific,Hub please step up,you dont need to get them from an OEM dealer

Thanks, darryle. Been perusing the valve check threads and I have read one comment about some sets of feeler gauges not having all of the right blades. This one is made for metric bike valve clearance so I imagine it is in the proper range. They also sell a shim kit but I don't think I want to buy a whole kit and end up with a million shims I have no use for.

I think I am going to invest in a micrometer as well---or do you think that would be more precise than necessary?

The actual adjustment takes about 3 beers.If it takes longer then 3 beers stop work drink the other 9 and check again tomorrow.(BPH work time=1 beer per hour) based on consumption of canadian beer.BPH may be doubled if drinking american beer

We have Molson down here. I think that will work.

Hey Painter...how bout some new bike pics Bro!I'm likin that paint scheme ya have in yer avatar.

Rook make up that shim chart from the first pic and have it plastic laminated,that way you have a durable record you can use over again,a mic is a great investment if shims are installed ink side up the inking isn't always legible,.You will probably find a hundred more uses for a mic or calipers