Valve Inspection Question

[RTinNC]

As I consider adding a Camhead GS to my stable service is a consideration for me. I have heard that with the Camhead motor in most cases when the valves are "checked" at 6k intervals they rarely need "adjustment" and am wondering what the REAL life experience of folks has been.

[Downs]

Hmm with the heads hanging out there inspection shouldn't take longer than 15 or 30 minutes.

 

What kind of shim configuration do they have? Shim under or over bucket?

[RTinNC]

Yep .... dealer tech told me about 1/2 hour IF no adjustment is needed. But need to confirm that 80-90% of the time they do not need adjustment. Looking for those who have had them dome.

[Highway41]

31K miles and six service events with no valve adjustment necessary. Buy it - you'll like it.

Bill

[Tom_L]

25k miles no adjustment needed yet.

[GRB60]

At my 6K I changed 6 of 8 shims. They all were technically in the spec but at the end. I moved them to the middle. Just one of those "while you're at it" things. Surely a dealer would have called it good.

 

Changing them is also easy to do, though, so no need to worry. The shims cost about $6 each and take just a few minutes to remove and replace. For the 6 I adjusted, I only bought 2 shims. The others were moved from one valve to another as they showed no wear.

[Steve Kolenda]

Did a check at 3,000 miles and 3 were out of spec from the factory. Changed shims and now at 25,000 no further changes have been necessary.

[Downs]

Does it have shim over or under bucket? Over bucket is real simple under usually requires removal of the cams.

 

I did some research while sitting at work last night. I'm finding reports of the camheads going 12k or 24k miles with no adjustments required.

 

Usually the shim adjustment bikes stay in spec pretty well after the initial break in period.

[mneblett]

Does it have shim over or under bucket?

Neither, really. As shown in the pics in this set of San Jose BMW pics:

 

http://sanjosebmw.smugmug.com/Other/Tech-pictures/10976964_bHf66/1#!p=1&n=10

 

There is a separate follower between the cam lobe and the top of the valve stem. A small puck (half-moon shape) sits in a round divot on the cam side of the follower. I suppose you could characterize it as "shim over bucket, but that's a stretch.

 

Very easy to change.

[David R]

Thank you for the pics. True DOHC. But not shims and buckets over or under. Nice way to do it. No cam removal for adjustment.

 

Looking at a 12 R1200R.

[Downs]

Hmm interesting setup. They still use shims just of a different sort and install compared to "conventional" shims. Makes the work easy that's for sure good to see.

 

I loved my 1150R with it's screw and locknut rockers but this way is pretty awesome too as long as you can get shims easily.

[BrianM]

Hmm interesting setup. They still use shims just of a different sort and install compared to "conventional" shims. Makes the work easy that's for sure good to see.

 

I loved my 1150R with it's screw and locknut rockers but this way is pretty awesome too as long as you can get shims easily.

 

The dealer having shims is really the only problem I see with the system. Checking and changing the shims is very easy. I plan on doing mine each winter when waiting for shims is not an issue.

[Downs]

I ride year round but as easy as that thing looks to change I wouldn't mind slapping it back together ordering the shims I need and keep riding till they came in. As long as they were within spec but on the tight or loose side I'd be ok with that for the short term.

 

It's not like it takes a long time to get back in there to them

[terryofperry]

Anyone have this?

 

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=125145

 

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/PartsSearch.aspx?parts=11%2034%202%20239%20468%0A

 

Terry

[RTinNC]

I like what I am hearing! So far looks like I am getting ready to pull the trigger.

[BrianM]

Anyone have this?

 

http://www.ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=125145

 

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/PartsSearch.aspx?parts=11%2034%202%20239%20468%0A

 

Terry

 

If that actually includes shims it is a deal. The shims alone are about $6 each.

[terryofperry]

Says it includes these but at that price I don't know how which is why I am asking.

 

Engine Valve Shim Kit is for those BMW models which use hemispherical valve shims.

 

"Shim Kit box makes it convenient to track and replenish the shims used when servicing many BMW models. Includes one each 4.60mm through 5.70mm shim in .05mm increments."

 

Terry

 

 

[mos]

One would think that it does not include the shims but I think that needs to be answered. Anyone have one of these kits??

[mneblett]

I suspect that it is only the box, and it *should* read:

 

"Includes A STORAGE SPACE FOR one each 4.60mm through 5.70mm shim in .05mm increments."

[fudge]

Ill find out i just ordered one since the price was right if it includes shims.

 

It does say "Valve Shim Kit", not storage box.

[mos]

Good, let us know what you get.

[OlGeezer]

Ill find out i just ordered one since the price was right if it includes shims.

 

It does say "Valve Shim Kit", not storage box.

 

That's an INCREDIBLE price if it includes shims. Normally, shims go for about $2/each and that's for Japanese bikes. I could only imagine how that translates into Beemer prices.

[GRB60]

The shims I bought were 6 or 7 dollars; I don't remember exactly. The dealer had what I needed. They had a box with a bunch of little bags. The parts guy and I had to open all to see what sizes there were. Obviously, they hadn't used it often, if at all.

[fudge]

Good, let us know what you get.

 

Item is currently out of stock, waiting for supplier to fulfill. 2-7 days ETA + shipping time.

[Tom_L]

Ordered the "Shim Kit" from Max BMW today, initial email said "all items in stock". Just received a refund of $12.69 with this note:

 

"Note from merchant

468 kit consists of an empty plastic box. There are no shims. The one in the store belongs to the service dept. and is NLA. We apologize for any inconvenience."

 

 

 

[terryofperry]

The description clearly reads:

 

"Includes one each 4.60mm through 5.70mm shim in .05mm increments."

 

We all know BMW does not make mistakes.

 

Terry

 

 

 

 

 

 

[fudge]

Well dissappointed, but kudos to A&S for handling it well.

 

"I am sorry but the part you order is only the organizer container, the shims are not included. It would cost a lot more than $12.96 for the shims. Sorry for the confusion, we took the item off our web-site. I voided the transaction on your card and I am giving you a $15.00 on-line gift certificate for the misunderstanding."

 

I will certainly be doing business with them again.

[RTinNC]

Item is still on the web site as of tonight. Guess they have to put in a work order to have it removed from the site!

[k9gromit]

Item remains on website (A&S) a month and a half later. Glad I read to the end of the thread...

[w2ge]

Item remains on website (A&S) a month and a half later. Glad I read to the end of the thread...

 

Wish I would have! D'OH! Gotta call and cancel my order!! DOPE!

[w2ge]

So.. has any sort of consensus come up which way (if any) the valves on the camhead seem to go...i.e. too tight versus too loose?

 

I'm about to do the 12K check and I wish that (or a) kit was available with just a few of the commonly "used" size spheres...

 

 

[MikeB60]

I adjusted two of the intake valves at 6000, both loose measuring about .25mm. Just checked again at 12,000 and didn't need to adjust any of the valves and all were in the middle of the tolerance.

 

Not sure you will ever know what would be a common use size, there is a large range of shims listed for this engine.

[Highway41]

I'm at 42K miles and the valve lash is still within spec. Start keeping a record of your measurements as they will gradually go out one way or the other and you can pre-order the needed shim based upon bringing it back to the midline. Dealers have mostly serviced my bike but I measured the lash at 30K and 42K and they were the same.

Bill

[w2ge]

Thanks Guys.. Seems many are saying that these camheads pretty much stay in spec... I like that.

[BrianM]

At 600 miles I had 3 valves that were tight. Changed them to the middle of the spec. Will be doing the next check over the winter - currently 9500 miles.

 

[terryofperry]

I can only relate my experience. At 6,000 miles all were in the middle except the lower exhausts, both left and right. They were .38mm. At 9,000 miles the lower exhausts were .39mm. At 12,000 miles the lower exhausts were .40mm. I replaced the shims and all are in the middle now but I will keep an eye on it.

 

For those interested there is a spreadsheet available for download or on line to help with the calculations.

 

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=670668&highlight=camhead+shims

 

I found it to be useful and accurate. Just plug in your measurement and it does the rest.

 

Terry

[Norm 427]

2012 RT, 9k miles, 2 valve adjustments, I do the work.

 

Of my 8 valves, 5 of them have tightened slightly in 9k miles, not one of them has loosened yet.

 

None have been out of spec, though one was sitting on the very edge of the tight spectrum, but I adjust them back to the middle or toward the loose end of the range.

 

Interesting that someone posted that their valves have loosened which is just the opposite of my experience so far. But 9k miles is still early to know just what the long range trend will be.