Ok, so I took my bike to the dealer about 2500 miles ago to have the valves adjusted. They stated one of the exhaust valves where off, and they adjusted it. Well, I have started to have more valve tick at 5000 miles and since I have to change the valve cover gasket anyways I tore into it today. And again, only one exhaust valve is out of spec, way out of spec. All the others are well in spec.

The .305mm gauge fit underneath it. So when I took the cam off I found this:


It looks like they put to large of a shim on it causing the lifter to become dished out. My concern is could this have caused any other damage? I know this caused metal to kit into my engine. And now I don't know what size the old shim was. The numbers are worn off. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Heres another pic:

 

The little shim is the correct one. As for the larger piece. What exactly did you take a photo of ? Looks like the top part of the valve bucket or is that the shim you were talking about ? Either way, it doesn't look too healthy.

 

Correct, its the bucket that goes over the valve that the cam rides on. Bike bandit calls it a tappet. I just ordered a new one. Some how the cam ate into it. The cam lobe looks good, and is very smooth. I think everything will be ok. Of coarse going to change the oild again.

 

use a micrometer to measure the old shim. That looks like heat damage to the bucket. How does the lobe look? All the pieces that came off the bucket where carried away with the oil and will be in the oil filter or just floating around in the oil itself. How does the oil look? Have you pulled the filter out and looked at that yet?
Could it have scored your cylinder? Yes it could have but I wouldn't be overly concerned about it. What you should be concerned about is what caused all that heat in that one area?

 

I don't think it was heat. The part is dished out like a bowl as if to much pressure was on it. The little slivers that where taken out of it seem to be where the metal was pushed down and streched. I think to large or small of a shim was put in creating to much pressure on it.

 

MOFOES. Take it to a Pro' and look what happens . ****. The old adage rings true, "want a job doing properly....."

 

One thing to check is to make sure the oil passages are clear. It could have been straved of oil flow. Was the bucket (tappet) bathed in a pool of oil before you removed it?

 

You may think this over zealous, but with all the indicators of too much presure on the bucket/tappet or whatever you want to call it, I would pull the head to thoroughly inpect the valve stem and guide. Also, if your spring/s have been bottoming out, you may want to take a critcal look at them as well.

 

Get better photos, inc side on shot of the bucket, get onto Kawasaki show them the photos. Let the dealer know what they have done and tell them you are taking it up with Kawasaki. Cover all your bases. I agree with tremor check valves stem, seats, barrel, piston etc. Drain your oil and keep it for possible testing.

 

Yes, it was full of oil.