Wilsons Sandbox

At 12:21 AM +0000 3/25/05, Cris wrote:

>Hello, >New to the group...just bought a '05 A-19 KLR. After reading as much >as I can find, regarding valve clearance adjusting, I'm wondering if >anyone on the list has taken their shims and reduced there thickness >to increase clearance? From what I've read, clearance usually tightens >up as the valves wear into their seats; I have a B&S surface grinder >with flood coolant, and can simply grind each shim (on its underside) >and reuse them rather than having to purchase new shims(mail order of >from dealer). I'm guessing the shims used have some substance to them >(not paper thin), when the engine is assembled at the factory; any >thoughts?

I thinned a shim once 'cuz I needed it right at that moment. It's hard to get shims on a Sunday and I needed the bike on Monday. Otherwise, you're just better off buying shims or swapping with someone on this list, unless that grinder of yours will make quick work of it. I still would only thin a shim once and then toss it when I didn't need it anymore. Mark

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Cris" wrote:

> > > Last, can anyone suggest a source for a quality 1/4" torque wrench? >

--- I bought a Proto 1/4" drive torque wrench in inch-pounds at Grainger. I have also purchased S-K torque wrenches mail order (online) at arizonatools.com. To save money, I sometimes buy quality brand used tools (snap-on, mac, etc.) on ebay. Randy

> Last, can anyone suggest a source for a quality 1/4" torque wrench? > > Thanks, > Chris

I couldn't justify laying out big bucks for something like a Snap-On since I only would use the tool once in a while. Craftsman stuff is usually just about right for me but at the time I looked they didn't offer a 1/4". I usually avoid Chinese stuff but I decided to take a chance on a Harbor Freight clicker for only $22. It's turned out to be accurate and fine for occasional use. Bogdan

The top & bottom of the shims need to be flat & parallel. Without a surface grinder, it would be nearly impossible to do this properly by hand. Certainly more trouble than a new shim cost. If you really can justify it, such as requiring a thickness that isn't available, then have a machine shop do it. With a surface grinder, it won't take them but a jiffy (in other words, not much $) to trim a bit off a shim.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Cris" wrote: > > Hello, > New to the group...just bought a '05 A-19 KLR. After reading as much > as I can find, regarding valve clearance adjusting, I'm wondering if > anyone on the list has taken their shims and reduced there thickness > to increase clearance? From what I've read, clearance usually tightens > up as the valves wear into their seats; I have a B&S surface grinder > with flood coolant, and can simply grind each shim (on its underside) > and reuse them rather than having to purchase new shims(mail order of > from dealer). I'm guessing the shims used have some substance to them > (not paper thin), when the engine is assembled at the factory; any > thoughts? > > Last, can anyone suggest a source for a quality 1/4" torque wrench? > > Thanks, > Chris

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Bogdan Swider wrote:

> I couldn't justify laying out big bucks for something like a Snap-

On since I only would use the tool once in a while. --- Since we're talking about an inch-pound wrench, I think the key is that you only need one. The 1/4 inch drive can handle anything in the typical inch-pound range, IMO, which is typically limited to 200 inch pounds. So if you buy a 1/4 inch drive instead of a 3/8, then you only need one inch-pound torque wrench. Unfortunately, many of us bought a 3/8 inch first, then realized we needed a smaller wrench for places like valve covers. Buy one wrench: get the 1/4 inch. Good used snap-on 1/4 inch drive torque wrenches can be found on ebay for less than $50, in my experience. I'd much rather own a quality used torque wrench, as long as it is calibrated, than a new one of low quality. The $20 difference is well worth the money in my opinion. And if you do your own work, and own a couple of bikes or cars, and use a torque wrench when you're supposed to, you'll wind up using it quite a bit. I probably use mine a couple dozen times per year. Randy

Posted a pic of one side of my racks, due to popular demand. Thanks for all the interest and emails. Scotty

> > Can u post a pic of the rack to the group photo section. $75 seems > reasonable. > > J > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" wrote: > > > > I actually make these racks, and have made about 10 sets so far. > The > > reason for them being different is I build them by hand, one set

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