Feeler Gauges
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2020 7:32 am
After a recent discussion with a.n.other w.r.t. checking Camhead valve clearances, decided to look at my feeler gauges. I've got both a metric & imperial 10 blade set by Kennedy from Cromwell Tools.
The inlet valve clearance range is 0.13mm - 0.23mm and the exhaust clearances are 0.30mm - 0.40mm. With the metric set, the nearest I can get for the inlets is 0.15mm, 0.20mm & 0.25mm. The exhausts are fine at 0.30mm, 0.35mm & 0.40mm. I use the "Go/no go" method as seen in most videos viewed on the subject. This method doesn't give an actual valve clearance, just that it's within the acceptable range. The replacement valve shims are in increments of 0.05mm, which fits in nicely with the range of metric feeler gauges. I'd never thought of using the imperial set and doing a conversion to metric. Between the two sets of gauges, I'd more accurately be able to measure the valve clearances.
This set me off on a feeler gauge hunt. Spoke to a BMW Motorrad dealer, he confirmed that what BMW use is no longer available to purchase. A "Google Search" has come up with some options from Motorworks, Halfords & Hornig.
Motorworks only list the same (Draper) set as the Kennedy set I've already got, https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop ... 5_91_CN_10
Halfords have a dual (imperial & metric) marked set for £3.99, https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... 26667.html with the following Metric sizes (mm) - 0.05, 0.06, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.13, 0.15, 0.18, 0.2, 0.23, 0.25, 0.28, 0.3, 0.33, 0.35, 0.38. With the addition of a 0.40mm gauge, this covers the range of inlet & exhaust valve clearances.
The Hornig set at £6.80 plus £9.82 shipping is expensive, https://www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com/ ... e-set.html plus the size range isn't as good as Halfords, particularly for the inlets, Individual sizes: 0,10 - 0,12 - 0,14 - 0,16 - 0,18 - 0,20 - 0,22 - 0,24 - 0,26 - 0,28 - 0,30 - 0,32 - 0,34 - 0,36 - 0,38 - 0,40 - 0,42 - 0,44 - 0,46 - 0,48 - 0,50.
Think I'll get a Halfords set, saves the mess on of converting because the blades are dual marked and one set will cover both my bikes. The XJ650 inlet & outlets are the same at 0.006" - 0.008". (Imperial (") - 0.002, 0.0024, 0.003, 0.035, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.010, 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, 0.015).
The inlet valve clearance range is 0.13mm - 0.23mm and the exhaust clearances are 0.30mm - 0.40mm. With the metric set, the nearest I can get for the inlets is 0.15mm, 0.20mm & 0.25mm. The exhausts are fine at 0.30mm, 0.35mm & 0.40mm. I use the "Go/no go" method as seen in most videos viewed on the subject. This method doesn't give an actual valve clearance, just that it's within the acceptable range. The replacement valve shims are in increments of 0.05mm, which fits in nicely with the range of metric feeler gauges. I'd never thought of using the imperial set and doing a conversion to metric. Between the two sets of gauges, I'd more accurately be able to measure the valve clearances.
This set me off on a feeler gauge hunt. Spoke to a BMW Motorrad dealer, he confirmed that what BMW use is no longer available to purchase. A "Google Search" has come up with some options from Motorworks, Halfords & Hornig.
Motorworks only list the same (Draper) set as the Kennedy set I've already got, https://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop ... 5_91_CN_10
Halfords have a dual (imperial & metric) marked set for £3.99, https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... 26667.html with the following Metric sizes (mm) - 0.05, 0.06, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.13, 0.15, 0.18, 0.2, 0.23, 0.25, 0.28, 0.3, 0.33, 0.35, 0.38. With the addition of a 0.40mm gauge, this covers the range of inlet & exhaust valve clearances.
The Hornig set at £6.80 plus £9.82 shipping is expensive, https://www.motorcycleparts-hornig.com/ ... e-set.html plus the size range isn't as good as Halfords, particularly for the inlets, Individual sizes: 0,10 - 0,12 - 0,14 - 0,16 - 0,18 - 0,20 - 0,22 - 0,24 - 0,26 - 0,28 - 0,30 - 0,32 - 0,34 - 0,36 - 0,38 - 0,40 - 0,42 - 0,44 - 0,46 - 0,48 - 0,50.
Think I'll get a Halfords set, saves the mess on of converting because the blades are dual marked and one set will cover both my bikes. The XJ650 inlet & outlets are the same at 0.006" - 0.008". (Imperial (") - 0.002, 0.0024, 0.003, 0.035, 0.004, 0.005, 0.006, 0.007, 0.008, 0.009, 0.010, 0.011, 0.012, 0.013, 0.014, 0.015).