Brake caliper shims for V65

[Julian Sudano]

V65 SP 1984


I had one of my front calipers off the other day to service my speedo drive gear and discovered that one of the bolts that holds the caliper to the fork, was slightly bent. Looking at the parts diagram online, I realized I was missing the spring washers, as well as the shims ( #14 ) shown in the diagram, on ALL of my damned calipers. Sadly lots of these "not crucial to make her run" parts have vanished.

I see there are 2 sizes of shims available - 0.5 & 0.8mm thickness that sit between the fork and the caliper body.

Can anyone help me by explaining which thickness is needed and are they strictly necessary as the brakes function well enough? I'd like to bring the bike back to original condition.

Thanks as ever for the feedback!

 

[scottmastrocinque]

V65 SP 1984


I had one of my front calipers off the other day to service my speedo drive gear and discovered that one of the bolts that holds the caliper to the fork, was slightly bent. Looking at the parts diagram online, I realized I was missing the spring washers, as well as the shims ( #14 )View attachment 24934 shown in the diagram, on ALL of my damned calipers. Sadly lots of these "not crucial to make her run" parts have vanished.

I see there are 2 sizes of shims available - 0.5 & 0.8mm thickness that sit between the fork and the caliper body.

Can anyone help me by explaining which thickness is needed and are they strictly necessary as the brakes function well enough? I'd like to bring the bike back to original condition.

Thanks as ever for the feedback!

Hi Julian,

I don’t have this particular model in front of me, but I’m 99% certain that this wave washer and spacer are really dimensionally insignificant.

I believe their intended purpose is (1) the wave washer keeps tension on the bolt to prevent loosening while the other washer (shim) allows tensioning to occur uniformly by providing a sliding surface. For the life of me I cannot see where 0.3 mm difference is needed it the location of the caliper.

To me it seems unimportant as far as location / distancing of the caliper itself from the fork leg goes.

Given your functioning of the brakes, this would seem to be confirmed. I also looked up the factory service manual and there is no reference to this at all.

I would not fret it at all honestly.

These brake calipers are very basic design and not high tech in any way.

 

[V700Steve]

If you look, the split line on caliper should be in center of rotor. This is how I adjust to what I need for shims. Bolt up w/no pads, check centers measurement, install shim the correct thickness to center caliper.

 

[scottmastrocinque]

Well, there you go Julian.

Obviously, I was mistaken and for sure, V700Steve has more experience with this really old small block motorcycle.

Aligning a stock caliper to a stock rotor is something that hasn’t been done in 40+ years.

Thanks V700Steve! I love learning something new everyday.

 

[Julian Sudano]

If you look, the split line on caliper should be in center of rotor. This is how I adjust to what I need for shims. Bolt up w/no pads, check centers measurement, install shim the correct thickness to center caliper.

Thanks - that would make sense.

 

[V700Steve]

On an Aluminum I put mag wheels on I had to take off 2mm on ea leg for it to be centered. Machine shop were good, I didn't have to separate forks from legs.

 

[gyrorex]

Another easy way to perfectly center your caliper over the center of the disc, is take out the mounting bolts and squeeze your brake lever. If the caliper is not centered, it will move to one side of the disc or the other, either moving over against the mounting lugs, or away and leaving a small gap between the caliper and the mounting lugs. That is what the shims are for. If the caliper moves toward and hits the lugs and is much out of the center, it will flex the disc under hard braking. That condition is a lot harder to correct. Conversely, if it leaves a gap, shim it!