valve clearance

[rider3]

Just getting ready to adjust the valves on a 79X that had been sitting for about 20 years, put about a 100 miles on it after I got it running before I checked the clearances. Most of the valves are in the .006 to .008 in. range, a couple at .005 and one at .004. Two valves are way off at .012 in. is this an indication of excessive carbon buildup or just shim or cam wear. Am I safe to shim as close to .oo3 in. as I can get or is it best to stay on the loose side. I was going to leave the valves at .004 and .005 alone. Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.

[spencer]

Just my worth: You can probably leave the .004 and .005, but anything larger, or smaller, you probably want to adjust.

[EMS]

For one thing, I would get a metric feeler gauge, as the specs are intended to be metric. Then, valve clearances are usually set on the loose side, as the valve head works into the seat with time and clearance is reduced.