Jdub goes there 1981 650e rebuild

[jdub6092]

SH776 all the way, and it's not expensive to buy a good used one from a reputable powersports breaker. They just about never fail, so used is fine.
See if powersportsnation on ebay has one or two up for sale.
Avoid fakes.

I ended up getting an SH775 from Nessism
Works great and runs cool to the touch.
No room for my tool tray now, but at least the battery is charging now.

[jdub6092]

Maybe the blueing of exhaust #1 is trying to tell be something and not just a result of reduced chrome.
Went on a 15 minute ride and it blued up again. I ripped the throttle a couple of times but never got beyond 5k or 55 mph. When I took off, it responded really well, but seemed to drop off a little by the end of the ride.
It was hot enough that the steamy clearish smoke rose from the engine. Not a lot, but clearly visible.
I'm concerned that I may be running extremely lean on #1

20250322_183811.jpg What should I be looking at?
Compression check?
Valve clearance?

[jdub6092]

Compression 1 to 4: 165, 165, 155, 155
Actually pretty impressive.

Spark plugs:
20250322_194549.jpg All look perfect. No indication of lean running on #1.

[jdub6092]

Next thing to check for exhaust leak.

[jdub6092]

Tightened up the exhaust clamp on #1. It was a bit loose and will let it go and see if the splotches stop growing.
Now I'm hearing a sound almost like a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle for those of you seasoned enough to remember. Only happens when I accelerate. Goes away as soon as I let off the throttle.
Any clues as to what this might be?

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Poker or Pinochle? Could just be cam walk? Common and normal. Post a video.

[Nessism]

Getting the header pipes sealed to the head can be a challenge. You need new crush gaskets. Loosen the muffler mounts and make sure nothing is binding. First thing to tighten are the header bolts at the head. Only tighten the mufflers after the headers are seated.

[jdub6092]

Getting the header pipes sealed to the head can be a challenge. You need new crush gaskets. Loosen the muffler mounts and make sure nothing is binding. First thing to tighten are the header bolts at the head. Only tighten the mufflers after the headers are seated.

I did reuse the copper crush gaskets that had on for about a week when I decided to go the restoration route. They looked pretty good so I figured I could reuse them. I do have a lesser quality new set on hand.

Makes a lot of sense to tighten at the head before the hanger brackets. That's how I originally did it, but apparently didn't torque down enough at the head.