I plan on putting new valve shims in my klx 300. From what I have read it is not supposed to be too hard? With the service manual in hand should I be able to do it with some patience?
Also should I just order the shims I need or prepare for the future and get a kit of shims? What is the usual cost for shims from the dealership?? Thanks!!

 

When I did mine I went ahead and ordered the hot-cams shim kit which contains 3 of each of the shim sizes. You need the 7.48mm shims. The only problem with getting just the ones you need is that you don't know which ones you need until you see what size shim is already installed. So you'd need to take the valve cover off, check your clearances, write them down, if any needed adjusted, then remove the cams and pull up the valve lifter buckets to get to the shims. Then see what shim is installed, use your previous clearance value and current shim size to look up in the service manual table which tells you the new shim size you need to install to bring the clearence back into spec. Then go to the dealer and hope they have it in stock.

So I bought the kit of all the shims which greatly increased the probability that I would be able to finish it all in one session instead of having to leave the bike unassembled while I took a trip to the dealer and it would surely suck if they had to order the sizes and it takes a week to get them.

But as far as the procedure goes, it is not hard, just maybe requires some patience and not get in a hurry, take your measurments carefully, don't force the feeler gauges. Follow the re-time procedure in the service manual carefully.

 

Forgive the ignorance but we have 4 valves and you only get 3 of each size shim?

 

Yep. Makes perfect sense, huh? Hopefully all 4 valves won't need the same shim size to bring them within spec.

 

Appreciate the response thanks!