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ThePPH
Scooter Rider
Number of posts: 67
Location: Fountain Hills, Arizona
Points: 487
Registration date: 2011-04-27
 |  Subject: Valve Shim  Thu Jun 30, 2011 12:39 pm | |
| Who here knows about valve shims, how to make changes and what purpose they serve on our scooters.
I found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-FSC600-SILVERWING-HOTCAMS-HOT-CAMS-VALVE-SHIM-KIT-/320707858371
I have no idea because I am a new rider and I am not mechanically inclined so I am trying to learn about everything and do as much as I can at home with my own tools.
Does shim replacement or adjustment do anything for performance and increased hp and tq?
I am interested in doing any kind of performance mods for the silverwing including cams if someone makes performance cams for us. Thanks for looking and I can't wait to hear from any of you. |
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bigbird
Silver Wing Guru
Number of posts: 2164
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Points: 3061
Registration date: 2010-05-02
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Thu Jun 30, 2011 1:18 pm | |
| Sorry guy, but your trying to develop intake stacks and max out the HP of your Swing in other topics does not correlate with your statement that "I have no idea because I am a new rider and I am not mechanically inclined so I am trying to learn about everything and do as much as I can at home with my own tools."
What you are saying is akin to a high school biology student attempting to do open heart surgery at a hospital.
I admire your drive and desire to accomplish this, but you need a solid foundation first.
I could go into the theory of operation of valve systems using shims, but unless you have an intimate understanding of 4 stroke internal combustion operation, it won't mean much. I suggest reading as much as you can about 4 stroke internal combustion engines. Then zero in on the need for adjusting valve clearances and the methods used to accomplish this. If you have questions after that, then fire away with specifics. |
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ThePPH
Scooter Rider
Number of posts: 67
Location: Fountain Hills, Arizona
Points: 487
Registration date: 2011-04-27
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:12 pm | |
| Well I understand that my bike has over 26,000 miles and needs a valve adjustment more than likely so I was wondering if I need something like the product I showed in the link above to provide to my mechanic when the time comes to adjust the valves. Is it needed?
And if so, is there any performance gains with this maintenance priority?
I am not trying to do this all myself but I am trying to learn why certain things are needed and make sure that I don't leave any stone un-turned in my quest for more power and keeping my machine running in the best possible condition for many many miles to come.
Scott |
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bigbird
Silver Wing Guru
Number of posts: 2164
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Points: 3061
Registration date: 2010-05-02
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:20 pm | |
| | ThePPH wrote: | Well I understand that my bike has over 26,000 miles and needs a valve adjustment more than likely so I was wondering if I need something like the product I showed in the link above to provide to my mechanic when the time comes to adjust the valves. Is it needed?
And if so, is there any performance gains with this maintenance priority?
I am not trying to do this all myself but I am trying to learn why certain things are needed and make sure that I don't leave any stone un-turned in my quest for more power and keeping my machine running in the best possible condition for many many miles to come.
Scott |
OK Scott, that makes much more sense. The shims for Honda motorcycle engines are not engine specific, they are generic. If your mechanic has ever done any Honda shim adjustments, then he already owns 1 or more shim kits.
Shims will not provider any performance enhancements unless the valve clearances are way outside factory specs. They are a maintenance item to keep the engine operating within specs. Putting in too thick or too thin a shim will only hurt performance.
You are due for a valve inspection with your mileage. In most cases, your mechanic should still find the valve clearances within factory specs at that low mileage. However, if the bike had been abused by any previous owners, as in neglecting oil changes and high load operation without complete warmup, it may need adjustment.
Any more questions, ask away.
Terry |
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bigbird
Silver Wing Guru
Number of posts: 2164
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Points: 3061
Registration date: 2010-05-02
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Thu Jun 30, 2011 2:48 pm | |
| Sorry, I forgot to comment on the eBay Hotcams valve shims. I would not use those in any Honda engine unless they were exactly the same specs as Honda OEM shims.
On Hotcams website I read this:
"Made from 4140 cold rolled steel".
What are OEM Honda shims made of? I haven't a clue. The shims take a beating in the valve train. If they aren't up to snuff they could easily damage the valve train. |
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Daboo
Maxi-Scooter Rider
Number of posts: 190
Location: Seattle, WA
Points: 1103
Registration date: 2009-12-08
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:02 pm | |
| When I adjusted my valves, I simply brought the shim with me to the mechanic's shop and he pulled out a generic set of shims for that diameter. The process was an exchange, not purchasing something new. The shims don't wear down. I believe it is the valve stem that stretches over time, or the valves themselves that wear to cause the need for an adjustment.
Chris |
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bigbird
Silver Wing Guru
Number of posts: 2164
Location: Winnipeg Canada
Points: 3061
Registration date: 2010-05-02
| | Subject: Re: Valve Shim Fri Jul 01, 2011 4:22 pm | |
| At the Honda dealers I'm familiar with they use only brand new Honda OEM shims, no exchanges. As for an independent shop, they do whatever they want. Personally I would want OEM shims. There's too much Chinese knockoff crap floating around out there. I can't comment on your mechanic's generic shims. Hopefully they meet OEM specs.
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