narrow feeler gauges?

[GetOuttaMyWay]

does anyone know where I can get narrow feeler gauges locally? It looks like my standard 1/2" wide ones won't fit in some of the spaces to get at the valves on my fz1.

 

[motomania2007]

Cut them in half

 

[stever]

Had the same issue checking clearance on YZ250F. Mach 1 has Bikemaster brand at around $10. I think Cycle Gear handles that brand as well.

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Thanks guys. I'll try trimming them down first.

 

[ST Guy]

Just as soon as you trim them down, you'll find that you need them at their original width. Unless you're in a hurry, I'd just get a set of narrower ones.

Also, how do you plan on cutting them down? Most means of cutting them down will leave sharp edges and burrs at the cut which MUST be smoothed out before you use them. Remember, it's tempered/hardened steel and besides being harder to cut/grind, the sharp edges/burrs will be pretty tuff as well. Not something you want scraping along your cam lobe.

 

[OaklandF4i]

Just as soon as you trim them down, you'll find that you need them at their original width. Unless you're in a hurry, I'd just get a set of narrower ones.

Also, how do you plan on cutting them down? Most means of cutting them down will leave sharp edges and burrs at the cut which MUST be smoothed out before you use them. Remember, it's tempered/hardened steel and besides being harder to cut/grind, the sharp edges/burrs will be pretty tuff as well. Not something you want scraping along your cam lobe.

+1

You can get tapered sets even at cheapo auto parts stores like O'Reillys for less than $10. I've got three different sets of feeler gauges in my tool box for different applications.

 

[dravnx]

I found it's a lot more convenient to remove the 6-7 feeler gauges from the set and keep them separate when doing valve checks. As a matter of fact, they are now permanently removed from the set and kept in a zip lock bag.

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

My old set was kinda garbaged (can't read some of the sizes, etc). I cut the two ones I need for the narrow space down with tin snips and smoothed the edges with a fine file. Used a new set for the other areas.

 

[ST Guy]

Make sure the tin snips didn't curl up the edge of the cut and that you completely removed it.

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Make sure the tin snips didn't curl up the edge of the cut and that you completely removed it.

Yup... A file took care of that. Done!

Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[KC@ BRG Racing]

St guy is right, as soon as You modify them, you'll need the unmodified ones. Here is a link to McMaster Carr to the style that I prefer, there in a nice package, but their individual ones, makes doing valve adjustments I think quicker.
https://www.mcmaster.com/2066a5:thumbup

does anyone know where I can get narrow feeler gauges locally? It looks like my standard 1/2" wide ones won't fit in some of the spaces to get at the valves on my fz1.

Just as soon as you trim them down, you'll find that you need them at their original width. Unless you're in a hurry, I'd just get a set of narrower ones.

Also, how do you plan on cutting them down? Most means of cutting them down will leave sharp edges and burrs at the cut which MUST be smoothed out before you use them. Remember, it's tempered/hardened steel and besides being harder to cut/grind, the sharp edges/burrs will be pretty tuff as well. Not something you want scraping along your cam lobe.

 

[dravnx]

Your link takes you to MC, not to the feeler gauges.

 

[KC@ BRG Racing]

poop sorry Try this https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lang-Tools...784044&hash=item5b501bcae4:g:2d0AAOSwIS9cBb3U

 

[terdog55]

I cut the two ones I need for the narrow space down with tin snips and smoothed the edges with a fine file. Used a new set for the other areas.

Its well documented that I'm as cheap as they come. But, even I wouldn't spend that much time VS just buying a 2nd set.

 

[GetOuttaMyWay]

Its well documented that I'm as cheap as they come. But, even I wouldn't spend that much time VS just buying a 2nd set.

It literally took like 2 minutes... Snip snip snip and rubadubdub. Versus ordering online which would take days or an hour round trip to cyclegear who probably didn't have it in stock anyhow.

 

[KC@ BRG Racing]

The right tool for the job. The feeler gauges that I posted will save you a lot of time in that you're not fumbling around, trying to double check... why do I get the feeling I'm wasting my time...

It literally took like 2 minutes... Snip snip snip and rubadubdub. Versus ordering online which would take days or an hour round trip to cyclegear who probably didn't have it in stock anyhow.