For you guys who have adjusted your valves, where do you recommend getting the shims from and is it complete kit or do I have to order just what I think I need. I understand about the measurements and coming up with the difference, but my only local bike shop has the market cornered and says he can get me a kit for around $100. This seems very excessive for some thin pieces of metal, and I would rather stick a glowing hot poker in my eye than give these guys my business.

I trust your judgement as I've gotten nothing but great, friendly advice from this forum. What sould I expect to pay for the kit?
I'm going to try the link that Eaglecollector has for the valve job. Awhile back there was a link that showed what size bolt to buy and how much to trim off to make your own TDC bolt. Anyone remember what it was?

Last question, other than going inside the motor and checking the gap, what are some of the indicators that your valves may need adjusted? Will the DS still seem to run fine even if they are slightly out of tolerance or does it get sluggish or what? Both of mine have tons of hours and run great, even though the 03 will smoke the 00, but if this adjustment will make them run better then I'm on it.

 

You can also get shims at a BMW dealer. The best way to check is just pull off the valve cover and make sure they are around .004-.006. That website is;
http://www.ljsoftware.com/DS/DS650Main.html

 

Try " Dual Star " ( just do a search) the Kawi KLR 650 shims should work.. That's just what I've been told>>

Good luck Bud

 

JMAC, I clicked every link on his site and I don't see the instructions for fabricating that TDC locking bolt anywhere. No BMW dealers out here in the middle of the desert. I will try them on the net though.

bud, are the Kawi ones 29mm?
Thanks guys. I'm going to peek at this thing (shim clearance) in the morning with a clear mind and a full day in case it's more than I can chew...

 

YES 29MM $3.95 EA AND $90 for the kit Duel Star http://www.dual-star.com/index2/bran...ve%20shims.htm

 

I just pulled out the bolt from the TDC hole, matched it up at the local hardware store. Bought a long bolt and ground the end of the threads to a point. Worked perfect when I did my piston and cams.

 

Ditto that on the TDC bolt. Cant remember the size.

Others have stated that a hard starting DS can be the result of improper valve shim clearance. Mine however was slightly out of spec and it started and ran fine. Your best off checking at the recommended intervals. More so when its new and breaking in.

 

http://www.ljsoftware.com/DS/DS650Main.html
This is helpful in adjusting valves.

 

i have almost every size shim so if you know what ya need i could help u out [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Dug and dug and dug to find the TDC bolt answer. It was Sandaholic who had posted it the first time that I saw it.
It's 8x1.25 40-50mm long, with a little grinding required. Have mine ready to go now.

And found this: http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/TDCBoltFAQ.htm

dabomb, can you PM a cost per shim and I'll get back to you with the sizes. I have to check both bikes. Thanks