Shim measuring

[madcow393]

I have a question about measuring the shims on a bike when it's time to change them. When using the micrometer (that is the right name for the tool isn't it?) how tight should it be on the shim. When I checked them a while back a couldn't really figure out if I was tight or loose.

[DaveS]

Here's a web page on the subject:
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
The second item answers your question...

[madcow393]

Hey thanks, I never knew that's what the ratches was for!

[Woody_393]

I don't have a cool micrometer, but I have tons of other shims (bought the kit) so I measure it, and then start measuring some others that are close, and I soon find out what it is.

[zuki]

I havent had to shim mine yet....but Ive heard that the shim thickness is printed on there? BTW, with micrometer I have, there is a knob on the bottom, and you twist it untill it clicks(hard to explain). Think of it as a gas cap. Once it clicks, you know your done

[Keetoman393]

Originally Posted by zuki

I havent had to shim mine yet....but Ive heard that the shim thickness is printed on there? BTW, with micrometer I have, there is a knob on the bottom, and you twist it untill it clicks(hard to explain). Think of it as a gas cap. Once it clicks, you know your done

That knob is what he is talking about as being the "ratchet". If you tighten it too tight, the calibration may/will be screwed up.

[Woody_393]

Originally Posted by zuki

I havent had to shim mine yet....but Ive heard that the shim thickness is printed on there? BTW, with micrometer I have, there is a knob on the bottom, and you twist it untill it clicks(hard to explain). Think of it as a gas cap. Once it clicks, you know your done

LOL, I can tell you haven't shimmed yet (as you said), because the numbers are often times worn off.

[RMZracer212]

plus the size on them may not be right anyway. They could eather be worn down or not even made the right size. I have the kit and I could have 3 diff shims all marked the same size be 3 thousnths off from each other.

[madcow393]

The measuring I was talking about is because after a while the shim gets compressed and you have to know how much it was compresed in order to select a new shim.

And hey Clay, when did you get a new bike?