Does everything here look ok?

[JimmyR]

I don't know how much you will be able to tell from these pics, but after help from you guys here I have taken the head off my engine so that I can attend to the valve seals. For a 30 years old bike compression is really good which leads me to think that maybe some work has been done by a PO - can you tell from these pics? The bike has apparently done around 60 000 miles.







My main issue has been burning oil, esp at start up which I now believe to be leaky valve seals.

[Steve]

Looks good to me.

.

[gs850cafe]

Looks good to me.

.

yup i second that...

[850 Combat]

Runs good and good compression means is good. These things will go for many miles even when neglected.

[JimmyR]

Thanks guys! The main thing that stands out to me is how filthy it is! Oh well - at least the head will be getting disassembled and blasted. I am hoping that once I have the engine back together it will run perfectly. It was running well for the most part before but sometimes it would get a bit hesitant. It's weird - sometimes it would run beautifully and then the next time it would stall when I pulled up at a red light. Or give out a few pops from the carbs.

Oh well, I'll see how it all goes once the new seals are in. I kinda don't mind doing all this stuff because I have learnt so much getting this bike running.

[john82q]

Jimmy,

Cant see any apparent woe.

they dont like like high comp pistons, just bores are in good nick.

Cheers John

[sparki]

....at least the head will be getting disassembled and blasted.....

make sure you get all the blast media out of it before putting it back together.... hate blasting with a passion as a 15 minutes media blast turns into hours of cleaning. far better to get it dipped and cleaned imo. or leave it tbh... pub it down with paper and wire wool.... then paint

[chuck hahn]

Your that far so why not pull the jugs and pistons and do the wear checks too. Freshen the bores and new rings and it will be good to go the rest of your life most likely.

[OLDENUFF]

You have dropped the cam chain in the tunnel. Fish it out and wire it up before you turn the engine over even a little.

[JimmyR]

Yeah I was wondering who would notice the cam chain! It's difficult to keep track of it and take the head off at the same time.

Chuck you may be right. I had intended doing the rings until I got such good readings on my compression tests. I'll have a bit more of a think about that. It would be good just to get the barrel off to clean it better.

Did anyone notice the missing studs? Some of the stud nuts were rusted onto the studs so the whole stud would come out. At least none is broken.

[7981GS]

They come out easy with a telescopic magnet.
Nothing to worry about as long as you retrieve it before turning the crank and hold tension on it.

Eric

[chuck hahn]

The compression may be great but that doesnt tell if the wrist pins are worn, maybe theres some out of round in the pin holes on the piston..like Dales 1000 piston was, broke circlips.. That sort of stuff still needs considered and what the heck, 1 more gasket and you can be down there in no time. ( Just me ) but i would rather go the extra steps and be sure than roll the dice and hope im right.

[7981GS]

I'm with Chuck on this.
One more $20 bill spent on a gasket and a couple of pear-shaped O-rings...
and you could have a fresh cylinder hone among other things like peace of mind.

Eric

[chuck hahn]

Time spent pizzed hurts more than time spent riding anyday!!!!

[JimmyR]

Ok ok! You convinced me! I already have the gasket anyway... I hope you guys are happy now. :-)