The K&L 13-6836 Valve Shim Kit is an assortment of 9.5mm-diameter valve adjustment shims from 1.85mm to 2.30mm thick, in a storage box. It’s made for Triumph engines that set valve clearance with a small shim under the tappet bucket, or under the rocker on the SOHC liquid-cooled twins. That includes the fuel-injected 955i and 1050 triples, the Trophy 1215, and the 900 and 1200 Bonneville family. These are the thinner sizes you need most often as valves wear and clearances get tighter. With the kit on the bench, you can finish a cams-out valve job in one session instead of putting the head back together while you wait for single shims to arrive.
Why Choose the K&L 13-6836 Kit
- The sizes worn engines need. As valve seats wear, the valve sits higher and the clearance closes up, so the fix is almost always a thinner shim. This kit covers 1.85–2.30mm, the thin end of the range.
- One trip into the engine. On these engines the camshafts or rockers have to come off to change a shim. With the kit, you can measure, swap, and recheck before you reassemble, so you don’t have to take it apart twice.
- Hardened K&L steel. K&L says its shims average 47.0 on the Rockwell C hardness scale, above the scale’s 46.0 maximum, so they hold their thickness against wear.
- Organized storage. K&L shim kits come with an assortment of shims in a storage box, so sizes stay sorted and easy to find.
- Covers the full range with its companion kit. Pair it with the K&L 13-7017 Valve Shim Kit 9.5mm (2.30–2.75mm) to cover 1.85–2.75mm, which is enough for most shops working on these engines.
Which Triumph Engines Use 9.5mm Shims
Fuel-injected triples and fours with the shim under the bucket (camshafts must be removed):
- Daytona 955i from VIN 132513
- Speed Triple 955i from VIN 141872, and Speed Triple 1050, S, and R (2005–2020)
- 1999–2004 Sprint ST and Sprint RS 955i from VIN 139277
- 2005–2010 Sprint ST 1050 and 2010-on Sprint GT
- 2006–2018 Tiger 1050 models
- 2012–2017 Trophy 1215 and Trophy SE 1215
- 2019-on Rocket 3
Liquid-cooled SOHC twins (900 and 1200):
- 2016-on Bonneville T120/T120 Black; 2017-on T100/T100 Black
- 2017-on Bobber; 2018-on Speedmaster
- 2016-on Thruxton/Thruxton R; Thruxton RS
- 2017-on Street Cup and Street Scrambler; 2019-on Scrambler 1200
Not for: engines with 25mm shims on top of the bucket. That includes the 1991–2004 carbureted triples and fours, the early T595/955i Daytona and Speed Triple, and the air-cooled 790/865 Bonneville family. For those engines, use the K&L Valve Shim Kit 25mm VSK25. Always measure an old shim or check your service manual before you order.
How to Use the Kit
- With the engine cold, remove the cam cover and spark plugs. Turn the engine in top gear with the rear wheel, then measure and record each valve clearance with a feeler gauge while its cam lobes point away from the valves.
- Follow your service manual to set the engine at TDC and remove the camshafts. On the twins, follow the manual’s procedure for the cam and rocker assembly. Note the cam timing marks before anything comes apart.
- Lift out each tappet bucket. The shim often comes out with it. Keep each bucket and shim together in a marked tray so they go back in the same place.
- Measure the old shim with a micrometer. Work out the new size: new shim = old shim + (measured clearance − target clearance). If the clearance is too tight, you need a thinner shim.
- Fit the new shim to the top of the valve. Lubricate the bucket with a 50/50 mix of engine oil and moly grease, then refit the bucket.
- Refit the camshafts with the timing marks lined up. Turn the engine through several full turns, then recheck the cam timing and all valve clearances.
Genuine Triumph 9.5mm shims, such as Triumph part T1131051 (Dia 9.5, 2.725mm), are listed for the Speed Triple and Tiger 1050. That confirms these engines use this shim diameter. Browse more K&L parts for Triumph or our Triumph engine tools for the rest of the job.
The product images shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the product received. Manufacturers occasionally make minor cosmetic changes to items, such as color, finish, label, or design. These changes do not impact the item’s function or compatibility. Please contact us if you have specific concerns regarding appearance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Triumph motorcycles does the K&L 13-6836 shim kit fit?
It fits Triumph engines that use 9.5mm shims. That includes the shim-under-bucket 955i triples (Daytona from VIN 132513, Speed Triple from VIN 141872, and Sprint ST/RS from VIN 139277), the 1050 Speed Triple, Sprint, and Tiger, the Trophy 1215, the 2019-on Rocket 3, and the liquid-cooled 900 and 1200 Bonneville, Thruxton, Bobber, Speedmaster, Street, and Scrambler twins.
What sizes are in the K&L 13-6836 kit?
All shims are 9.5mm in diameter, and they range from 1.85mm to 2.30mm thick. For thicker sizes from 2.30mm to 2.75mm, see the K&L 13-7017 Valve Shim Kit.
Should I buy the 1.85–2.30mm kit or the 2.30–2.75mm kit?
Measure the shims in your engine first. Valve clearances on these engines usually get tighter with wear, which calls for thinner shims. If your current shims are near 2.30mm or thinner, the 13-6836 kit is the better choice. Shops that work on many bikes often keep both kits.
Do I have to remove the camshafts to change 9.5mm shims?
Yes. On shim-under-bucket triples, the shim sits between the bucket and the valve, so the camshafts and buckets have to come out. On the liquid-cooled twins, follow the service manual procedure. A cams-in tool like the Triumph Valve Shim Removal Tool MBI-VSRT only works on 25mm shim-over-bucket engines and isn’t needed here.
Will these shims fit a carbureted Trident, Sprint, or Thunderbird 900?
No. The carbureted Hinckley triples and fours use 25mm shims on top of the bucket. Use the K&L VSK25 25mm shim kit or individual K&L Adjustment Shims MBI-KLSHIMS for those engines.
What are the valve clearances on a Triumph 1050 triple?
For the Speed Triple 1050, the cold spec is 0.10–0.20mm intake and 0.20–0.30mm exhaust, according to Louis’s Speed Triple 1050 data. Other models use different specs, so always confirm the numbers in the service manual for your bike.
How do I calculate the shim size I need?
New shim = old shim thickness + (measured clearance − target clearance). For example, a 2.20mm shim with 0.15mm measured clearance and a 0.25mm target needs a 2.10mm shim. Always measure the old shim with a micrometer, because the stamped size can wear off.
Why do Triumph valve clearances get tighter over time?
As the valve and seat wear, the valve sits higher in the head and the gap closes. If the clearance gets too small, the valve can’t close fully, which can burn the valve and seat. Checking at the service interval prevents that damage.
Do I need to keep the buckets and shims in order?
Yes. Each bucket and shim must go back in its original position. Mixing them up will change the valve clearances. A marked tray or egg carton labeled by cylinder and valve works well.
Are K&L shims as good as genuine Triumph shims?
K&L shims are hardened steel. K&L says they average 47.0 on the Rockwell C hardness scale, above the scale’s 46.0 maximum. They’re made to the same 9.5mm diameter as genuine Triumph shims, and you size them with the same calculation.
Do I need to check cam timing after changing shims?
Yes. Because the camshafts come out on these engines, line up the crank and cam sprocket timing marks before refitting. Then turn the engine through several full turns and recheck both cam timing and valve clearances before you start it.
Review by Owner –
Pros:
Comprehensive Range
Quality Materials
Convenient Packaging
Cons:
Price: The kit is somewhat expensive, but considering the comprehensive range and quality, it’s a worthwhile investment for those committed to maintaining their motorcycle.
Compatibility: Ensure compatibility with your specific Triumph model, as the 9.5mm size may not fit all bikes.