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Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:29 am
by AE86
Hi all,

Quick question, I'm attempting to do the valve clearance on a shim over bucket type adjuster, and am wondering what material to make the spacer out of.

Can I use some high speed steel, or should I look for something else?

The motor isn't worth ordering the 200 quid spacer kit for since only two valves are slightly out, but they're out enough to cause concern.


Cheers,
AE

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:19 pm
by wightegi
Can you find another engine with shims and cut / lap them down to size ? what engine and how many do you need ?

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:00 pm
by AE86
There's no hope in finding another motor unfortunately. It's a weird 90's Honda retro scooter with a water cooled motor. Only has two valves, but the shim kit that is supposed to work is 250 USD to order from Japan, but given they are at 5 and 7 thou clearance they're a bit tappy and noisy. Way too much for my liking.

My thoughts are that it shouldn't be too hard to turn down two shims from an HSS bit from a mill, but I don't know if they'll be hard enough for the job. I don't know what hardness or material the shims are made out of.

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:37 pm
by wightegi
What diameter are they ,Wemoto list hundreds starting at 13 mm dia £4.48 each and mail anywhere ;)

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 3:11 pm
by AE86
Not sure on the diameter and wasn't aware single shims were available, but one of my biggest issues for ordering has to deal with where I live. There's no postal delivery service and I'm 7 hours outside of the main city, so I have to arrange a private shipping company to retrieve and ship from the city to the nearest bus station, which is 45 minutes away... Probably 30 quids worth on it's own when all is said and done, and the hassle.

I also don't want to bother with the 6-8 week quoted wait, which 3 1/2 months is how long my last package took to arrive from the UK. :( If there's one thing I miss about civilisation, it's the functional and practical post system.

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 4:42 pm
by wightegi
Amazon prime next day delivery not an option then. :( So cheap source of shim steel ,,disc brake anti squeal shims cut to size between the shim and the bucket .

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:02 pm
by Capitano
Not much point in me offering to pick up what you specify from Wemoto and shipping via whatever method you prefer then?

Wemoto are less than half a mile from my house but I'm guessing that it's the other end of the shipping route that would be the problem.

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 7:31 pm
by Bogger
There's always carrier pigeon. Shims are not too heavy, are they!

Bogger

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:52 pm
by Diesel Dave
Ally drink can, cut to size and jamb between 2 of the existing shims.

Measure the can thickness with a micrometer before cutting as the scissors will leave a raised edge (will act as a natural anti-chatter spring).

Sorted.

Re: Making a shim over bucket spacer?

Posted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 2:23 am
by AE86
wightegi wrote:
Tue Nov 20, 2018 4:42 pm
...So cheap source of shim steel ,,disc brake anti squeal shims cut to size between the shim and the bucket .
Diesel Dave wrote:
Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:52 pm
Ally drink can, cut to size and jamb between 2 of the existing shims.

Measure the can thickness with a micrometer before cutting as the scissors will leave a raised edge (will act as a natural anti-chatter spring).

Sorted.
Bloody brilliant... Sometimes I feel like a dunce not thinking of practical solutions like this. Never occurred to me to stuff something between the shim and bucket.

Cheers all, I'm off to buy a tin of peanuts!