CRF 250 24,000 km inspection - shim size

[Thump]

Does anybody know the size of the stock shims in the CRF250L/M engine?

I am considering ordering the whole set, or just certain shims, it may be cheaper than waiting for them to be shipped from BKK.

Since there's no Big Wing in Nakhon Si Thammarat I'll go to Phuket where I am familiar with the Big Wing and accommodations.

Surat Thani is closer but I've never been there and I am not interested in staying there.

I may be lucky and no shims are needed but I have the feeling that I'll need some this time.

I don't want to be stuck in Phuket for a week until the shims arrive from BKK while the bike is down, or have the "operation" done twice.

Any info appreciated!

 

[lakota]

I've just had my 24k done on the CB500X. I could see the replaced shims at the side of the bike. They looked like new. I suspect they didn't even bother to check but just replace them all. They are pretty cheap, so why not. Maybe you can check with Phuket if they have stock. have you checked with your local Honda Greenwing etc .. Most seem to sell the CRF

 

[Thump]

I asked at Phuket Big Wing and they told me that they had to order the shims, it'll take a week for them to arrive! What a joke, if I knew someone in BKK he could EMS them to me in a day or two. Put them on a bus, takes one day!
But why should Thailand Honda hurry? They told me it'll take a month to get the MSX125 I bought registered in my name - I could get that done in three days! I don't mind a week, ten days, but one month?
Anyways, back to the shims. I guess the ones they took out of your 500 were too thin and they replaced them with the right width. I don't think they do anything that doesn't need to be done. Fortunately my 500R has only done 3,000km; the CRF250M is 3,000 km overdue.
Here in NST I had to try to explain what I am even talking about. "Wow" - they finally understood "wow" (Valve); "shim" sounds easy enough but they didn't know where they go. They sell 250 singles but can't adjust the valves!
So I'm trying to buy the ones which may be necessary, I rather spend some money on some shims than stay in Phuket for ten days!
I wouldn't ever get a "big" Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki or anything exotic; I just don't have the time to travel to some place where they service them. Honda has at least the Big Wings.
I don't want to do it myself, buy the tools, it's been 30 years since I adjusted the valves on my 450 Nighthawk! It looks like a bitch to get in there with a feeler gauge. I don't have the time, I don't mind paying for it but I don't want to be stuck anywhere.
If a valve check can only be done at a Big Wing they should at least have the shims there. Expecting people to waste ten days is not good advertisement!

Okay, I got that off my chest, have a good weekend everybody!

 

[Thump]

I know that the shims come in quarter millimeter sizes, so it's 4 for a millimeter, and if I know the size the stock ones are I'd buy the ones closest to them.

 

[lakota]

Yes, thinking about it logically, your right. The shims don't wear, the clearance does. You won't know what sizes you need until they check. Should really be in stock in the required measurements, it's only similar in size to a watch battery

 

[schrauberklaus]

Hi

I order the shims from a Honda shop in Phuket Town as i change to Takegawa camshafts in my CRF .
Delivered from BKK in 2 days .
Its the Honda Shop down the road from Big Wing just where the old town start ,about 3 traffic lights south of Big Wing.
The Lady that handle there the spare Parts is very helpfull .

If you want i can show it to you tomorow .

 

[Thump]

Hi Schrauberklaus, my name's Klaus, too! - I asked at the Phuket Big Wing about half a year ago, they told me that they had to order the shims and that it would take a week. They also told me to go to another Honda shop which was not too far away, direction town, but there they said the same.
If it is possible to get the right shims within two days - das waere knorke, Mann!

 

[Thump]

@schrauberklaus - Hi Klaus, I just want to say thanks for helping me out last month, the guy you recommended did a good job!

The Honda dealers I tried were a nightmare, they lied about doing it, they didn't know that the engine needs to be cold, and when I called Honda BKK because we had language problems I was later almost thrown out of the third dealer's shop because the boss didn't like that I had talked to Honda BKK what's going on in their place.

The main problem is that at Big Wing they don't work on 250s because they are too small, and the mechs at dealers selling Waves, Scoopies and Clicks don't know how to adjust the valves. They listen and if they don't hear anything, it's okay. But it turned out that I needed two shims, the valves were too tight.

The 250s fall between the cracks there and it can be a pain to find someone who can do the job.

Together with the Immigration problems I had the Phuket trip was turning into a nightmare, so thanks again!

 

[CraigBKK]

Having my inspection this week. I'll tell you how I get on too.