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Hi guys, a novice question for you as I am easily unsure on engine work and want to keep getting it right first time. After checking valve clearances and what size shims I have which went well with the £6 tool off ebay I read the manual to take the cams out to get the head off for the new gasket.The manual shows the "T" mark lined with the crankcase join at the front, but mine has the mark stamped at the top which I used for the position for clearance measurements. It says "T" mark lined up for TDC on pistons 1 and six before removing the cams and head and the picture shows camwheel timing marks pointing to the outside of the engine , but mine are pointing to the inside with the two outer pistons at TDC...Any short explaination is appreciated before I carry on, I know by now you don't mind the questions that help people like me learning and not making a balls up

The short answer, the camshafts turn at half the crankshaft rpm, so right now the camshaft are out 180 degrees to where you're trying to line things up.
Rotate the crankshaft one full turn and see where the camshafts end up. They should be at the proper position.

Of course I was looking at the picture in the manual from the other side of the engine... ..frightening isn't it

Now that I've shown my complete lack of engine knowlege my next question is can anyone point me towards getting half a dozen valve shims 240-250, they don't seem as easy to find as I would have thought.

What have you done with the shims that were in the engine ?
Measure the gap before you remove the cams then you will know what size shim to buy

Wemoto do shims. £8.40 each. I think Zpower as well

Ian

29mm Valve Shims are used in Kawasaki BMW Yamaha, try different bike shops and bike wreakers