What did you do to your motorcyle today?

[Bucko]

I can do a major service on my Stelvio without removing any body pieces....

Yes and it has self oil changing Shawn you never have to drain it just keep putting a quart in every week.
Always clean oil and little servicing.

And the rear tire is self oiling.

Can't be right - I saw Roy oiling his at coffee on Sunday. 

[hardrockminer]

Finished with the KLR.  Starting an engine job on the red Zed.

[hardrockminer]

No photos today but the pipes are off and parts stripped down to the head.  So far things look good.  Cams measure in spec.   Everything is well lubed.  Nothing to suggest a whine so far. 

Tomorrow will take the head and cylinders off and check combustion chamber.  Maybe pull the clutch out and prepare to pull the engine from the frame

[hardrockminer]

I took the head and cylinders off today.  The cylinders look good.  Pistons and rings look good also.  The head was carboned up a bit but was otherwise in good condiiton.  I think I found the cause of the whine in my engine.  Photo below is of the two cam idlers located just on top of the cylinders.  One of them is fine.  The other one....the inner portion has separated from the outer portion and was probably the source.

I think I'll continue to dismantle the engine and split the cases.  There was a lot of sand stuck around the engine studs and it may have reached the sump.  I need to take all of the engine down to Kevin for vapour blasting.  But it looks like my rings and cylinders are just fine.

[Galactica]

Cool.  Keep it coming Bill.

[Wheels]

Yes indeed very good information should I ever have to take mine apart as my head gasket seems to be showing some minor signs of weeping and I am sure that will not heal itself.

[hardrockminer]

John, check the plugged ports just above the top head fin.  (See photo)  There were used to drill the gallery for the cams and were plugged after drilling.  They can sometimes be the source of weeping.

Removed the clutch springs and plates.  Springs are still within spec but on the short side so I will replace them.  Clutch friction plates are all OK and will go back in place during the rebuild.  The steel plates are good too. 

[Wheels]

Bill, unfortunately they seem fine.   It is coming from the gasket area but just in tiny amounts like a British bike.   I will likely hold on and ride it until I mess my pants with oil.

[hardrockminer]

It was worth mentioning.  But I don't know how to fix it if that were the problem.

Today was spent removing the base gasket from the bottom of the cylinders.  It was pretty much baked on.  I used a carpet knife to pry it up bit by bit and then used a brass wire brush to clean the surface.  The cylinders are actually very dirty with baked on dirt.  Check out the leading edge.  Kevin is really going to love me when he blasts them.

[hardrockminer]

Cylinders are ready for blasting.  Working on the head now.  The head gaskets came right off but left an imprint that needs to be cleaned.  The combustion chambers have carbon deposits to be cleaned.  A couple of the valves had serious side movement so I need to check them for spec but I probably need to change the guides and seals.  Maybe the valves too.  Will know after measuring them.

[Wheels]

Just curious Bill and others what would cause the side motion?  Thought with the cams on top of valves it would be more of an even wear.  Mostly curious more than anything and my mind thinks if anything it would be an oval forward to backward and not side to side.  Help me learn something new here?

[hardrockminer]

I wasn't precise enough when I said side to side.  I only wanted to say that there was movement between the valve stem and the guide.  Honestly, I don't remember which direction I was moving them. 

All the valves are numbered so I could go back and check again if it's something you really want to know John.

[754]

The wear or movement had better be front to back....

[hardrockminer]

The wear or movement had better be front to back....

Now I HAVE to check!

[hardrockminer]

I rechecked a couple of valves and indeed, the movement is up and down, although a couple have slight side to side movement as well.  I've done a first pass cleaning of the bottom of the head, and also cleaned up three valves & springs that are still well within spec.  So it looks like all I'll need a set of guides and seals.  Photos below are before and after first cleaning.