Shim Question

[1993MTXSHO]

I just got a new shim and its not all polished and chrome looking like my old used ones; its a dull silver color. Is this what all shims look like new or could this be made out of a different material and could wear out my cams fast or something?

 

[itwonder]

I just got a new shim and its not all polished and chrome looking like my old used ones; its a dull silver color.

I bought new motorcycle shims online, and later some more from my local Kawasaki dealer. They are the dull silver color. They are in my engine. I am not worried about it. Seems to me if they will work in a motorcycle engine spinning 10K+ RPM they should work in the SHO. Time will tell.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I bought new motorcycle shims online, and later some more from my local Kawasaki dealer. They are the dull silver color. They are in my engine. I am not worried about it. Seems to me if they will work in a motorcycle engine spinning 10K+ RPM they should work in the SHO. Time will tell.

yeah same here, but im just wondering if the motorcycle shim is a different material because the cam is different. maybe it wont wear the cam in that but will wear the sho cam, thats what im worried about.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

I have heard the hardness might be different but nothing for sure. They still have cams acting on them so they should be fine. I had those type of shims and my SHO and the cams/shims were fine.

 

[ScottyDsntKno]

I've heard the motorcycle shims are too hard and will wear the cams out but nothing definitive. IMO there are enough jy shos out there at this point to not have to worry about shims.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

I've heard the motorcycle shims are too hard and will wear the cams out but nothing definitive. IMO there are enough jy shos out there at this point to not have to worry about shims.

problem is shims wear out, I have over 100 used shims but was kinda hoping for some new ones. I also think I need some really skinny shims which are really hard to find.

 

[ScottyDsntKno]

Hmmm well good luck with the search. By my same philosophy there should be enough JY shos out there to scrounge good cams out of in case the harder shims do wear yours out lol.

 

[itwonder]

I've heard the motorcycle shims are too hard and will wear the cams out but nothing definitive.

That assertion has been written but I've never seen anyone back it up with any facts. Regarding motorcycle shims, I bought from crc2onlinecatalog.com and they were fine to deal with. Later, I needed more and tried local motorcycle dealers. A couple I called stocked no shims at all! (wonder how they do customer valve adjustments?). But one stocked a full set and they were just $3.50 each. Point is, it pays to check around.

 

[Warduke]

3.50 is alot of money for one shim. Its unbelievable how these shops charge so much,Its just a piece of metal cut to a certain thickness, its kind of ridiculous really, thats like charging 3.50 for one screw

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Hmmm well good luck with the search. By my same philosophy there should be enough JY shos out there to scrounge good cams out of in case the harder shims do wear yours out lol.

yeah I have stage 2's those arnt exactly cheap, this is why im asking lol

 

[LOUDSHO92]

3.50 is alot of money for one shim. Its unbelievable how these shops charge so much,Its just a piece of metal cut to a certain thickness, its kind of ridiculous really, thats like charging 3.50 for one screw

They are precision ground so actually its not some quick and dirty job. There is a bit of effort involved to make sure that the thickness is correct not to mention the harness is correct. The price is quite reasonable.

 

[yamahaSHO]

New and reground cams will have the same appearance. They get shiny when you wear them in.

I have gone through many new shims as well as several sets of reground cams and they all look dull, but work to a shine very quickly. Same goes with bearings.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

even where the cam doesnt ride? Wouldnt just where the cam rides get shiny?

 

[yamahaSHO]

Correct, it would have to touch something to get the polish.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

yeah my old shims all of them are polished all over the whole shim even where the cam doesnt contact it, so im thinking they're different material.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

yeah my old shims all of them are polished all over the whole shim even where the cam doesnt contact it, so im thinking they're different material.

Stop thinking, they are the same.

 

[SinisterSHO]

is this a serious thread?

 

[Phoenix]

I still want to see a worn out shim with a micrometer proving it.

I still think shims are made of harder material then the cams are. I tried to drill one for fun , and didnt even scrach it and I dulled the bit.

Did anyone here successfully drilled one?

 

[K-Dawg]

yeah my old shims all of them are polished all over the whole shim even where the cam doesnt contact it, so im thinking they're different material.

The cam lobe touches almost the whole surface of the shim at some time or another. The shims/buckets aren't stationary. They spin.

FWIW, you can turn the shims over if you think one side is worn or damaged.

 

[AREA 91]

Stop thinking, they are the same.

Now start wrenchin on your SHO!