I personally would try to locate a low mileage running motor and throw it in there. Way cheaper. What kind of attachment do you have to the bike..?.? For $4-5000 you can buy a whole bike…It is a nice classic bike and a keeper maybe… ?

 

What you wrote didn't make any sense to me. I guess I miss every point you are trying to make..

 

If you are tight on money, why not look around for take out motor with low miles. That would be simple swap if you are not interested in doing mods to it.

 

While the 07 discussion is totally useless to the OP. If rebuilding the motor I'd stay with straight bearings on the drive side and use a newer hydraulic tensioner plate. It'll be easier to assemble.

 

PaperBag, now that it appears the go-round has died down, get a cheap Harbor Freight two ear stethoscope and isolate the noise.

Muffle the exhaust into some old rags (be careful and don't set them on fire). Once you've found it the actual tapping with exhaust muffled, record it and post it here.

 

I think PaperBag has a headache.

 

Cobra1 suggested a second opinion back in his post #18 which is actually a good idea and one I should have suggested. All responses after PaperBag's OP, includng mine, have been based on the assumption that the balancer assembly is damaged. It might be but considering that PaperBag has not reported noticeable vibration which is a symptom of balancer failure and the low failure rate, at low mileage, of the TC balancer system, a second opinion from a qualified tech would be a good idea.

Let's remember, PaperBag took the bike in for a carb tune. If the balancer assembly, or some part of it, was really damaged, wouldn't you think the issue would present with noticeable symptoms? Maybe PaperBag should challenge the tech to put his money where his mouth is. Pull the motor, split the cases and if no damage is found, the shop eats the labor cost for the R/R. I am pretty sure the tech would not accept the challenge but it would be interesting to see how he responded.

So maybe this thread goes in a different direction now.

 

Max, kudos for hanging in there, and trying to decipher that extensive multi-post word salad. I tried, but I can't for the life of me...

 

I wasn't sure why you brought it up
I thought the same thing too. Get another model he wants, sit on this until he can fix it up good. Riding tomorrow. Though he could have a nice bike when he is done too.


I would address the tensioners, no mater what.

I would think strongly about atleast boring the stock jugs to 95" He may get the courage to swap heads in the future, they are pretty much bolt on and off. And if he is nervous about working on bikes, maybe have shop do cams. Cams and jugs, won't add alot since you are paying for labor. But I realize easy for me to say. But then you got to pay to jet or tune, if you are nervous to do your self.

I would just hate to spend all the money this is going to take, and end up with a stock 88"

But won't know nothing without talking to garages and getting some prices.

 

Thanks, all. I appreciate it. This forum is great!

The tech did use a listening device, I'm told. I have noticed, now that its mentioned, some added vibes.... Besides the HD vibes. I misspoke earlier about the mileage - it has just north of 37k miles.

I *could* go for a second opinion, but there's nobody around here I'm comfortable with besides this shop. I've been going there for over a year and they haven't betrayed my trust. Yet. They are a small dealer, and I do figure they need and cultivate return customers. Their Yelp is good.

So the next step for me is to decide if I'm going to simply repair the existing unit; repair and throw in some mods - bore, cams, etc.; replace unit with, for ex., Long Block or S&S, or some combination of above.

Budget is always a factor. I plan on keeping the bike.