Valve shimming. What harm did I do

I know the answer to this but need help please. I'm the original owner of my my XJ750K and as far as I can recall never had the valves checked or shimmed. I have about 27.5k on her and feel bad after reading how important it is. I havent started her in almost 10 years now due to circumstances beyond control but over the last year have done some rebuilding. What harm could I have done, how do I check them, where do I get shims and how difficult is it. I'm a little mechanicaly inclined but this sounds beyond me.
Also, I rebuilt the carbs but can't get them back on and tried a lot of things I've read on here. The problem seems to be with seating them into the engine side boots, they just don't want to fit and I tried silicone, pushing them in with a hammer handle and not working.
Thanks and embarrassed.

 

The valve thing is simple, measure the clearance with gauges and compare it with the data in the manual. Inserting the 4 carburettors at the same time is simple if you place the two central rubber bands, insert and fit them and finally place rubber bands 1 and 4 rotating them until they fit

 

Valve clearance work is essential to help keep engines running properly.

Have a read at this to learn how to do shimming.

https://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/bigfitzs-airhead-valve-adjustment-with-pics-parts-i-ii.116006/

 

dont try to push carbs stright in .
you can roll them in start by partially inserting carb 4 at an angle then roll the bank to the left with 3 going in and continue down the line
also try heating boots with a hair drier to help soften them

 

valve shims.
looks like you missed 5 checks of the shims with 27k on the bike.
valves get tighter over time. did you damage anything? not likely.
you should check them and bring into spec

 

Thank you for the advice and tips. I'll give them a try.

 

@jag3 - the valve check procedure isn't hard. I know it seems like it might be. Just follow the directions. You'd need to work pretty hard to really do some damage - like using a lot of force and turning the cam into the hold-down tool.

The worst part of the job is if you replace the gaskets - that thing can be a bear to get glued into position.

 

carbs - by chance, did you remove the intakes? and put them back in the same place?

 

I replaced them and matched them up where they came from.

 

Hi, & altho this isn’t my thread, I received my valve cover gasket, valve shims, QUICKLY from Len.
Got the valves all in spec. & tonight will put the cover w/gasket on to do the Compression test w/the carbs. off!
I’m quite sure oil would fly during the compression test!
I Greatly appreciate the shim procedure link… I used it on the ‘85 XJ700N w/22,650 miles & 4 of the 8 were out!