Valve shims, where can i get them?

[Dandy Man]

Figured id just make a new thread for this…

Ive been looking around for a little bit now and i cant find any information on what shims i need for a 1980 cb750c custom

I have yet to take out the old shims and check sizes so im not yet sure how thin i need the shims to be, but before i start messing with all that i need to find a source for replacement shims and i dont even know what kind of shims they are. Is there a brand or part number or some identification for what kind of shims i need or are there only like 3 types of shims or something?

Im lost and a little annoyed that i cant figure this out when it seems so simple. what diameter of shims do i need and then where can i get them because i dont have the $600 to buy 16 kits(assuming the valve shims i need are all close to the same sizes)

I only need the 16 shims and in the future i may need 16 more but that isnt my worry for now…

 

[dirtdigger]

Honda still shows most sizes still available. You need to measure you current valve clearances and see how much you need to change the clearance, then you take the shims out, measure the old one and calculate what size you need to replace the shim with.

 

[Dandy Man]

Honda still shows most sizes still available. You need to measure you current valve clearances and see how much you need to change the clearance, then you take the shims out, measure the old one and calculate what size you need to replace the shim with.

Yes i still need to measure what i currently have but i just want to know where to get the shims from before i start tearing the bike apart (again) without access to the right parts. I found the part numbers on the honda website for each individual shim size but i still dont know where to get them from. I need smaller shims on ALL valves so i know i wont be able to trade shims around, meaning i’d be looking at 16 individual purchases on ebay of used shims but then who knows what ill actually be getting….

How can i get the shims new/ in bulk for relatively cheap?

 

[dirtdigger]

Like said honda still has them, you can go to a honda dealer or you can order them online from a honda website. There are many of them online where you can order them from. Just google and do some shopping or when you know what sizes you need look up the honda part number on an online site then you can google the part number and shop for the best pricing,

 

[brettp]

Before inserting them, measure with a digital caliper. I ordered some and a few were a bit off.

 

[Nunya Bidnes]

Potentially Dumb Question (PDQ). Could a guy shave his original shim down in order to open his valve clearance? I did not say should.

 

[dirtdigger]

No they are hardened and have to be precisely ground. Plus they are available so no need to.