Community Valve Shims

[maytag]

Hey y'all:
Back when I was doing alot of work on Ducatis, we put together a communal shim kit that we would ship around the country to each other. I'm wondering if anyone has considered the idea here?

The idea, of course, is that you can do it all at once if you have the kit handy, as opposed to measuring one day, then ordering & waiting for the shims to arrive, and then installing and hoping you got the measuring right.

The only real problems we ever encountered was when someone "flaky" wouldn't ship timely, or when the kit showed-up and someone hadn't added the same number of shims as they had removed.

But since we have no flakes here, and no dishonesty, I think we're good!

How about it? Anyone else game? I think a kit is about $150-ish? So if we get a dozen or so of us that are interested, that's not a tough bullet to bite.

[johndemar]

Pretty sure Ace already has a shim exchange going. But since he's half way across the country on his bicycle adventure for the wounded soldiers cause I can't be absolutely sure. He should be done about the 4th of July.

[wikkid]

Sounds like a great idea - should we wait to hear from Ace, though?

[maytag]

Sounds like a great idea - should we wait to hear from Ace, though?

I thought what Ace was doing was an exchange, which still requires you measure, then wait for shims. Can anyone confirm / deny? or do we need to wait for him?

[narfire]

I share with my neighbour.. He is currently a Volvo guy and the old Volvos shims are exactly the same diameter and have worked just fine for the shimming I have had to do the past 5 years.
Perhaps something to explore in your area if you are in a pinch.

[redcars]

I am in the St Louis area and have a shim kit. So if any one in the St Louis area wants to use it when they do their valve adjustment just let me know and replace what you use.

[majicwrench]

Great idea. I was diggin around in my toolbox a few months ago and came across of fiat shims from back in the '70's when a guy used to see em with bent valves--and broken belts, pretty often. But a communal kit would be great!

[tartan18]

Located in Corvallis (Oregon) and I have a complete shim kit. Happy to loan it out -- just replace the ones you use and cover the postage costs (or pick it up in person).

[maytag]

Located in Corvallis (Oregon) and I have a complete shim kit. Happy to loan it out -- just replace the ones you use and cover the postage costs (or pick it up in person).

You're great!
So I'll cover postage to me, plus $20 worth of added shims (and the ones I swap-out) to fill any gaps in the kit.

(How small does you kit go? I'm in immediate need of some as small as 3.05-ish)

I'll pm you with my address. And then I can either ship back to you, or ship out to the next person.

[wikkid]

While shipping out directly to the next person is more economical, it would be easier to lose track of who has the kit. And since this kit actually already belongs to tartan18, rather than being a true, communally purchased kit, we should think of a way to cover him.

What if it would be like an auto parts loan program: if you need the kit, you paypal the cost of the kit plus shipping. When done, you can keep the kit (having already paid for it), or re-fill it and send it on to the next person, who would send a paypal to you for the kit cost + shipping. Etc, etc.

I don't know - just "typing out loud" here.....

[tartan18]

While shipping out directly to the next person is more economical, it would be easier to lose track of who has the kit. And since this kit actually already belongs to tartan18, rather than being a true, communally purchased kit, we should think of a way to cover him.

What if it would be like an auto parts loan program: if you need the kit, you paypal the cost of the kit plus shipping. When done, you can keep the kit (having already paid for it), or re-fill it and send it on to the next person, who would send a paypal to you for the kit cost + shipping. Etc, etc.

I don't know - just "typing out loud" here.....

After I posted my willingness to share my valve shim kit I got to thinking of the best way to handle the finances. The suggested "auto parts loan program" approach seems a fair way. I do have a PayPal account so that piece would work fine. Give me the weekend to ponder the other details. I purchased the kit so that I wouldn't have to wait to complete my own valve adjustment project (to order shims) so an important element would be for me to know who would have it when I needed it, same as anyone wanting to use it in the future.

[scampbel98]

what's the status on this? still available for sharing?