TOPIC:

The rods were good. I am still cleaning out the engine, clean, clean, then clean some more. There really was a lot of grime in there. I am not surprised, because the bike sat for about three years, before I scooped him up. Once I get everything back together, I will do an oil change after the first couple hundred miles and see whats going on.

I am on a mission today to locally find a valve spring tool that won't break the bank, so I can replace the valve stem seals.

I use a C clamp with a piece of PVC cut out.
Steve

heres a video of a guy who made his own tool for removing valves

Thanks, Steve, worked like a charm. My fabrication skills are top notch lol.

I forgot to tell you to use a large socket the break free the keepers. Sometimes they can be so tight they will break the PVC tool.
Glad it worked for you.
Steve

Another late night, but it is starting to feel like we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I cleaned up everything a little more, then started putting things back on. I came across my first hiccup today; I seem to have misplaced the oil screen. I'm going to flush the engine out a few more times, before I get the top end on, hopefully the damn thing will turn up soon.

Did you put it up some place to dry?
Steve

I probably just set it down, "somewhere I wouldn't lose it" I just need to look through boxes and hopefully it will turn up.

I found the little guy, he fell off the back of the work bench and got caught between the wall and the back of the bench! I flushed out the engine a few more times with a diesel crankcase cleaner tonic. I am going to go get some really cheap oil and fill it up so I can get the top end on hopefully today or tomorrow. I don't want to crank anything without oil in there, and I don't really want waste any of the good oil.

While I have the bike stripped down, I figure I should repaint the frame, there are a few rust spots and areas were the paint is nonexistent anymore. I am set on doing the tank a burgundy color. I can't decide if I want to stick with black, or go with white or clearing over the bare metal. What do you guys think?

There's Duplacolor engine paint. It's high temp epoxy. That's what I use.
Steve

So, I have been cleaning the valves, there was a lot of carbon deposits on the exhaust valves.

I have read a lot of mixed reviews on lapping the valves. I am a little confused as to what exactly it does, and if it is something that will need to be done.

Valve guide seals. Lapping the valves will show you the condition of the valves and seats, plus repair minor imperfections. You can sometimes get away without doing it but not for very long. You're in there, do it right.
Steve