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MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK. FIXED IT!

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012.

  1. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Short version edit: I fixed it by boring it out slightly on just one of the two holes. I posted a pic of it on my pictures gallery.
    Drawn out version: I pulled the valve covers and checked clearences and ordered new shims. I then purchased the new VALVE SHIM TOOL and found it to not fit, it worked on one or two but something obviously had to be done! So, after realizing that the holes in the tool were not in the right position I realized I would only need to make one side bigger. So I got a vise, a large chainsaw file and a drill and commenced to modify the tool in the vice until the tool would drop squarely into place. All you do is use the chainsaw file in the drill and bore the hole to fit. DROP THE TOOL IN SQUARELY AND YOU WILL SEE THE AREA TO CUT (BORE) AWAY.

    Don't worry about the valve job and replacing the shims, a caveman could do it.. With the help of "BigFitz" and his write-up on it.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
    #1
  2. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    So ya figured it out?
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Jun 19, 2012
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  3. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
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  4. skyhawk

    skyhawk Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I had to do the same to my tool. once I enlarged the hole it worked fine.
     
    skyhawk, Jun 19, 2012
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  5. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I thought I was the ONLY one... :wink:
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
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  6. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
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  7. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    The MP shim tool is a hit or miss type thing. Sometimes the holes don't line up straight, and sometimes the little tab doesent catch the bucket, etc.

    Too bad the quality control isint a bit better.

    Like there ought to be a "deluxe" version that's a bit more expensive, but guarenteed machined perfectly.

    I'm just glad mine was a good one :p
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Jun 19, 2012
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  8. retread83

    retread83 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    A short piece of #10 wire worked and it was free.Free is for me!
     
    retread83, Jun 19, 2012
    #8
  9. skyhawk

    skyhawk Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    When I modded mine I posted here and nobody had a clue what i was talking about. I agree, the quality control is nill, but at least I figured it out and got it working.
    Back then I mentioned it to BigFitz, I must have been the first, it was unheard of.
    There is nothing more frustrating than doing a job with a specialized tool that doesn't work! I swear, I studied the tool for about an hour before I started grinding. It made me wonder am I doing something wrong, or is it the tool... but the tool would work on the other side of the head.
    REALLY FRUSTRATING!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    skyhawk, Jun 19, 2012
    #9
  10. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    How is that relative. I don't follow... Are you referring to the coat hanger method (which I never did figure out). That is not good to break chunks of carbon off your valve (if there is buildup).
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
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  11. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Yea, I was very disturbed at first, almost seize up another day. My neighbor was having a yard sale with lots of tools. I bought a vice and a chainsaw file. I was lucky. That project was like being in unexplored territory and becoming a discoverer, feeling of accomplishment made up for the agitation; that much was cool.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 19, 2012
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  12. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    If you bought a Motion-Pro Valve Shim Tool and it does not work ...
    Send it back.

    You shouldn't have to fart-around with the thing.
    It should do the job.
    If it don't ...
    Send it back.
     
    RickCoMatic, Jun 19, 2012
    #12
  13. mtnbikecrazy55

    mtnbikecrazy55 Active Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Amen.
     
    mtnbikecrazy55, Jun 20, 2012
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  14. fuggers

    fuggers Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I can second the MP shim tool being overall poor quality. Mine works wells on the intake side but fails to line up properly on the exhaust side. I have to really work it hard to get the exhaust shims out, it doesn't want to stay centered but also the cam has to be rotated away from center and the tool for it to work.

    What a pain in the ass
     
    fuggers, Jun 20, 2012
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  15. skyhawk

    skyhawk Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Naaah, it's not worth the time and shipping money to send it back. The holes are sooo close that it's amazing it doesn't work.
    I tweaked it with a file and gave it a shot of paint when I was done and it's good to go. It was just miss-drilled.

    That's probably why we see some of the posts about people struggling with the tool, and they can't get it to work. Then others have no problem at all. This should be put in the FAQ section to give folks a heads up on the possible problem they may have with the tool.
     
    skyhawk, Jun 20, 2012
    #15
  16. tabaka45

    tabaka45 Well-Known Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I bought the took from Chacal and it didn't work on any of the valves, so after about 3 hours I figured it was junk and gave up and used the bent wire method. But I have to admit that I worry a little bit about damaging the valve seats with the wire. Fortunately I still have the tool, and I'll get out the file and see if I can get it to work. Did you have to enlarge the hole sideways or in both directions?
     
    tabaka45, Jun 20, 2012
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  17. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    No Sir, not a good idea for my sanity at that point. Waste more time and money, no thanks. I took what I had to work with and made the nessassary modifications to accomplish the task. The valves in spec. .003 on all exaust ports and .005 on all intake ports. I hear you.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 20, 2012
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  18. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: OOPS! VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT FIT ALL VALVES! MOD FIX.

    Welcome aboard. Smart move. First of all you will not need the bolt to figure out what portion has to be cut away. Remove the valve cover, back the cam away so you will make room to seat the tool in evenly. Then just make a mark on the tool to where the hole should be (you will see part of the screw hole but probably not enough room for the bolt to go in. You can just "eyeball" where it should be cut away).
    I will get my mod picture up soon.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 20, 2012
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  19. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Both outward and inward.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 20, 2012
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  20. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    ????

    .003" = .076mm exhaust spec is .16mm~.20mm

    .005" = .12mm intake is .11mm~.15mm

    So if those numbers are accurate all of your exhaust valves are way tight and the intakes are OK.
     
    bigfitz52, Jun 20, 2012
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  21. skyhawk

    skyhawk Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I saw your photo Doug, mine was the same way. You just need to enlarge it enough to get the bolt in. There isn't that much stress on the tool to hold the valve open, only spring tension.
    It's like Motion Pro's drill jig is out of wack!
     
    skyhawk, Jun 20, 2012
    #21
  22. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Thanks for the intel, Fitz. I checked my notes and exaust were all .007 not .003. My bad.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 20, 2012
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  23. JeffK

    JeffK Well-Known Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I hate having to MOD a brand new tool to make it work!!!.....just one of my pet peeves!!


    jeff
     
    JeffK, Jun 21, 2012
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  24. retread83

    retread83 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Not a coathanger.#10 or 12 stranded THHN,THN whatever you have. Into the sparkplug hole and under the valve to hold it open same as the tool you bought.
     
    retread83, Jun 21, 2012
    #24
  25. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    If you have a Mo-Pro Shim Tool
    P/N # YM-01245
    Send it back to Mo-Pro and have them send you, ...
    Mo-Pro Yam Shim Tool that supersedes defective model.
    Valve Shim Tool Yamaha
    Motion Pro 08-0020
    Replaces YM-01245

    This "New" Tool Page --> PLUS: Customer Comments is interesting.

    http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0020/
     
    RickCoMatic, Jun 21, 2012
    #25
  26. Dougs82yamahaseca550

    Dougs82yamahaseca550 Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Rick, the Motion Pro 08-0020 was the one I ordered and is defective. Could you be more specific on the numbers of the defective part vs replacment part made by Motion Pro? I do not want others to buy the same tool as I.
     
    Dougs82yamahaseca550, Jun 26, 2012
    #26
  27. skyhawk

    skyhawk Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    Same tool I bought, Motion Pro 08-0020!
     
    skyhawk, Jun 26, 2012
    #27
  28. mook1al

    mook1al Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I got my tool from Chacal. It worked flawlessly the first time and every time thereafter. I found no alignment issues, and following Fitz tutorial, the valve shims were incredibly easy.
     
    mook1al, Jun 26, 2012
    #28
  29. RickCoMatic

    RickCoMatic Well-Known Member

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    Re: MY VALVE SHIM TOOL DOES NOT WORK!! FIX IT.

    I wrote to Mo-Pro's Customer Service explaining the situation and asking if the Tool upgrade corrected the problems we were having.

    I haven't heard back from them.

    My tool works on my 900.
    Doesn't on the 750 Mid-Max.
     
    RickCoMatic, Jun 26, 2012
    #29

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