Getting ready to upgrade to gear drive and get rid of those tensioners.

Got it all set up w/ pricing for an Andrews kit from an outit in Ft. Worth.

Was going to do a leak down check, but decided not to (buddy urged me not to cuz if it ain't perfect, he knows I just go ahead and go big bore.) Was hoping to get a couple more years out of the jugs, THEN go ahead and have mine bored with a fresh topend.

Bike is 99 RKC injected @ 43k miles....been running fine, haven't noticed anything amiss, no smoke...nothing.

Pulled the exhaust off and upon looking in the exhaust chambers...the front exhaust valve is oily!!!!! It's only about a quarter inch down from the top, but it's there!!! Evedently the front exhaust valve guide ain't quite doin its job.

Qustion is, (hell...I already know the answere) Do I act like I just didn't see it. Wazit gonna hurt?

Do I stop and now do the leakdown check ?(havent got the camchest open yet)
Pull the heads and have them address w/o going bigbore?

Trying to maximize the value outa what's still "good."

What do I do now??? I think im pizzed, but not sure yet.
Advice?

Beav

 

Id look at it like this: Oh ****... I just found a problem before it got really bad. I think I better nip this thing in the bud and get some headwork and a big bore kit now so I dont have to do this twice. Besides, it's winter time and I want more power anyway. This worked out great!

 

1931jamesw

Ya just brought a grin to my face, I really like your optomistic attitude!!
I don't have a money tree in the backyard tho...

Thx
Beav

 

Head gaskets are cheap maybe you should have the heads gone over you dont have to go wild on them.and be sure to check the crank run out if your doing gear drive cams thats what started my project.my gear drives were whinning so loud and found my crank was out of spec's.Like i just posted when does it stop.Ha Ha

 

It depends on how long you're planning to wait for the BB. If you're going to do it next winter I'd say leave it alone, if it's going to be a couple or 3 years then I'd tear the heads off & do seals & put .030 head gaskets in at the same time.

 

How many miles on engine? I would pull heads any way for cam change if high mileage to check heads and at least decarbin and grind valves. Just my say.

 

Just don't know yet...still in the contemplating mode (the buzz from the Crown Royal is starting to take effect.)
Don't really want the BB till I need it...looking to squeeze the value out of the original jugs. (does that make sence?)
I may just pull the heads and have them cleaned up. I'd like to put 100k on the bike before the BB, maybe in a couple more years.
Do I need to do a leakdown check? Or just pull the heads.
After the heads are off, can you tell that the cylinders are ok?

Crown is a good thing right now!!

Beav

 

Send those heads in and no worries. Cheapest way to take care of it I would think. If the BB is on your mind then you could do them both. I am thinking I would just pull those heads and be done with it. Have fun with the Crown. It's one of my favorites as well. Makes things very clear.

 

It's great how things get a lot clearer as your vision gets fuzzier.

 

Chit...'bout now, I could solve the whole worlds problems!!

I'm actually to the point that I'm wondering how bad it's gonna be tomorrow!

Wanna be able to watch the games with both eyes open

Beav