06-22-2010, 08:49 PM
Thanks for the advice guys. Had my boss and my mechanic buddy take turns visually inspecting and playing with the head, both of them said it appears to be in good condition. I took it home and dusted the inside of the intake and exhaust ports with carb cleaner and let it sitting there for a while, I went back and looked at the bottom, and both of the intake valves were completely dry on the bottom, and both of the exhaust valves were ever so slightly moist, I'd say 1/32nd of an inch of moistness around the the valve. I don't know if that's normal tolerance or if they should have both been sealed up completely impenetrable.
I'll ask my boss, who has probably built 1000 motors in his time and has been very sympathetic to my cause, what he thinks about it. Ordering valve seals is NBD at this point, I just went and dropped $80 on gaskets and o-rings at my favorite little bike shop here in town, and they'll be on the next boat from Japan (no aftermarket options).
Today replaced the front brake reservoir hose with one that's meant for the job, and re-bled the front at the master cylinder and my brakes are officially 100% done. Nice to cross one entire section of the project off the list. I have a multitude of parts coming at me from all directions off eBay, electronic stuff to make it pass inspection, all of that will go on little by little as they come in this week. Hopefully, devoting a little time each night and barring no major obstacles, all of that stuff will be done by the weekend.
Since the bike is going to be down for a while, I can also start restoring the tank, fender and exhaust, not sure when I'm going to jump into that project. I may drain it and disassemble tomorrow night, bring it in and let it rock in the parts washer for a few hours Thursday, then strip it down to metal, remove the dent, and have my dad help me prime/paint it late this weekend, early next week.
The exhaust is going to get a crude sanding and then painted with 1200* grill paint, matte black. 8)
Early-mid next week, motor teardown starts. Then mid-late next week she goes back together. 2 weeks is probably a lofty goal. So I'm going to say maybe 3 weeks down total. and I'll be cruising around town on one sexy little 500.
I'll ask my boss, who has probably built 1000 motors in his time and has been very sympathetic to my cause, what he thinks about it. Ordering valve seals is NBD at this point, I just went and dropped $80 on gaskets and o-rings at my favorite little bike shop here in town, and they'll be on the next boat from Japan (no aftermarket options).
Today replaced the front brake reservoir hose with one that's meant for the job, and re-bled the front at the master cylinder and my brakes are officially 100% done. Nice to cross one entire section of the project off the list. I have a multitude of parts coming at me from all directions off eBay, electronic stuff to make it pass inspection, all of that will go on little by little as they come in this week. Hopefully, devoting a little time each night and barring no major obstacles, all of that stuff will be done by the weekend.
Since the bike is going to be down for a while, I can also start restoring the tank, fender and exhaust, not sure when I'm going to jump into that project. I may drain it and disassemble tomorrow night, bring it in and let it rock in the parts washer for a few hours Thursday, then strip it down to metal, remove the dent, and have my dad help me prime/paint it late this weekend, early next week.
The exhaust is going to get a crude sanding and then painted with 1200* grill paint, matte black. 8)
Early-mid next week, motor teardown starts. Then mid-late next week she goes back together. 2 weeks is probably a lofty goal. So I'm going to say maybe 3 weeks down total. and I'll be cruising around town on one sexy little 500.
Now: 07 Porsche Cayman S | 18 VW Tiguan
Then: 18 VW GTI Autobahn | 95 BMW M3 | 15 VW GTI SE | 12 Kia Optima SX | 2009 VW GTI | 00 BMW 540i Sport | 90 Mazda Miata | 94 Yamaha FZR600R | 1993 Suzuki GS500E | 2003 BMW 325i | 95 Saab 900S