Valve guide job - do I need to do them all?

[bbjumper]

Ola,

This is pretty standard around here,

check it out, another first timer rolling his shirt sleeves up and diving in.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=189521

Later..........

[mike_of_bbg]

Ola,

You might want to do some forum searches on broken exhaust bolts with the head still on the bike. There have been some creative solutions out there and solid advice. Heating/melting wax to get into the threads has a lot of promise. Welding a stick onto what remains of the bolt and using that as a lever to turn.

Sounds to me like your priorities should be:

1. Carbs/petcock sorted (smoke at start-up, if it's white)
2. Fixing broken exhaust bolts (head on if possible), though it seems you are not leaking there so that is not an absolute necessity
3. Valve stem seals, though this is not a necessity

Without a good place to work it's very dicey if you should go tearing everything apart if you can help it. It's not terribly hard work, but a clean garage would be on the top of my lists of needs.

In all likelihood, a trip to Spain in its present state is not out of the question. Just be certain to keep her well oiled.

Good luck!

[Ola]

It's been a while since I posted, thanks for all tips and encouragement. In the end I did nothing and rode to Spain. It was a great time, not without trouble, but no trouble which hurt. You can check out pictures and story here:

http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3503417

Teasers:







About half an Exxon Valdez in oil, but what can you do? I will do the oil seals, head out, this spring and I will document it photographically for the benefit of the forum. Gotta give something back right?

[bbjumper]

Beautiful country and an exciting ride. Good luck with the upcoming maintenance and let us know how it is progressing.

[eil]

I just finished reading the whole trip log. That was incredible! I'm not much for road trips or traveling but now I think it's time to reconsider...