Valve Clearances

[iDemonix]

I've got a new 2nd hand motor from GF, finally got my mini back on the road so now I can send some time towards the bike.

My feeler gauges are pretty shit and go up like this: .152, .178, .203, .229, .254, .279, .305 - I know, I need better ones.

I'm pretty sure I had T1 and T2 lined up properly etc and this is how they measured:



To me that seems like I've done something wrong as they're quite out. Also, my micrometer battery has died as someone left it turned on, also the last user (Dad!!) seems to have bent them anyway so they're knackered.

My thinking is I've got to buy new feelers, buy a new micrometer and wait for them to arrive. Then do the measurements properly, then get shims ordered, then swap them etc - going to take ages. Does anyone know of a decent garage in Nottingham (or near it) where I could take the engine (it's out the frame!) and get them to do it? That way I should have it done in 30 minutes, start to finish.

[ibby4585]

Why don't you use the members map on here and find a member local to you to show you how to do it?

[Drunkn Munky]

With the engine out the frame it really is a piece of piss to do, buy some decent tools and a bag of spare shims (or borrow some) and get on with it your feel much better with yourself once youve done it. I dont think id completely trust a garage to do it as most places are likely to take the approach that its near enough so it'll do where as if you do it yourself you can get it spot on.

I say get a bag of shims as its a hell of a lot quicker to replace each shim as you measure it rather than measure them all then faf about swapping what you have then waiting for the postie to deliver what you dont. And put a small rag in the head to prevent dropped sims (which will happen) going into the motor, ive done countless clearences but last night i still managed to lose it and put a screwdriver through the shed wall after thinking id dropped a shim into the motor as i was too big headed to stuff a rag in there shim was later found still in the head

If you wanna borrow a bag of shims let me know

[iDemonix]

Anywhere I can obtain a bag of appropriately sized shims?

[speedy231278]

Anywhere I can obtain a bag of appropriately sized shims?

Erm, from the post above?

[iDemonix]

Didn't see that, looked like part of a signature!

I could definitely do with borrowing the bag Munky! Would it be easier for me to just take what I need and put back what I don't, or would it be easier for me to figure out the sizes etc I need and get you to mail me specific ones?

If it's a hassle I'll just have a word with Rick O as I know he does exchanges. Guess it's time to buy another micrometer!

[Drunkn Munky]

Its not a problem, just replace what you use with what you take out of your engine. PM me your addy if you want em.

[Neosophist]

Make sure your micrometer is accurate, many of the cheapy battery ones only measure in .5s instead of 0.01 increments.

Its important with the shims.

What is .152? is this inches? You could do with some metric feeler gauges to avoid pissing around.

A cheapish set will go in 0.05 / 0.06 / 0.07 / 0.10 etc etc.

You can combine them to make sizes.. ie 0.10 + 0.07 to get 0.17mm.

You need to make them up in increases of 0.01

i.e. 0.12->0.13->0.14 until you find one that wont go in to get your gap.