Where do I get valve shims?

I am looking in to doing the 48k service for my 95 VFR myself if it is cost effective (valve check/ adjustment, spark plugs, oil change, etc. according to the shop manual). Where do I get the shims for the valve adjustments?

Thanks

Granitsky, Mar 8 2005, 12:15 PMI am looking in to doing the 48k service for my 95 VFR myself if it is cost effective (valve check/ adjustment, spark plugs, oil change, etc. according to the shop manual). Where do I get the shims for the valve adjustments?

Thanks

If you are lucky, a local Honda dealer will have them in stock. I called 5 places before finding some in North Hollywood. The problem is you don't know which size shims to order until the bike is torn apart. This means your bike will be down for about a week. If time is not an issue, get them from Ron Ayers.

If you're rich and don't want to wait Dennis Kirk does a huge kit for about $85.00

I think it's part number- 148751

It's way more than you'll need.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Front...TISM4VMDK0NCIV0

johne, Mar 8 2005, 12:31 PMIf you're rich and don't want to wait Dennis Kirk does a huge kit for about $85.00

I think it's part number- 148751

It's way more than you'll need.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Front...TISM4VMDK0NCIV0

That is way worth the price. It costs me $10 for each shim at the dealer. Do it I say.

johne, Mar 8 2005, 01:31 PMIf you're rich and don't want to wait Dennis Kirk does a huge kit for about $85.00

I think it's part number- 148751

It's way more than you'll need.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/Front...TISM4VMDK0NCIV0

Interesting. The Honda kit for the VTEC is something on the order of $400 yet the DK kit is $85 as well. I wonder if these are of the same quality...?

What cost range am I looking at to have the local dealer do it (either hinshaws or renton motorcycle center)? Would they have the shims to do it in a day possibly? Or would I be sans bike for a week whether I do it myself or have them do it?

It is a pretty straight forward project. You can expect lots of help from the folks here. My dealer said he would just trade out shims with me if he had them in stock. Honda turnaround is excellent probably 4 business days. Your assuming your valves are out of spec. Did you buy it used? It might be a good idea to just check the clearances 1st. My carb sync WAS out of wack and that adjustment really helped. You can get a Carb sync tool for under $40.00. Dealer quotes I got were in the $250 for just doing the valves. VFRD can be your maintenance Guru. I had plenty of time since I don't commute with my bike.
My adventure looked like this.
2 hours to get the fairings off, drain the anti freeze, drain the oil, pull the plugs, remove the gas tank.
At that point I started cleaning and polishing that took 4 days. You could skip that.
Another hour to remove the valve cover and figure out where the feeler gauge goes. Probably a 20 min job.
That's as far as I got, mine was in spec with 50,000 miles. No idea how long it was since it was done before that. 42,000 was the last service by the previous owner no mention of valve adj.
Add another 3 hours to button it up. Refill the fluids. BTW use aviation Gasket caulk (thanks Larry, it worked like a charm).
If you are going to do it your self check out VFR WORLD. They have an OK write up. Read VFRD 5th generation how to it is a good reference even though you have 95. I really enjoyed the project. I figure I will do it till I get it right time is not an issue. Not all dealers can afford to have that attitude. Keep us posted.