engine rebuild problem: valve "slap"?

before I did anything I would pull the cams and put air in the cyls to see if you ahve a bent valve now or not

I checked my valve clearances on #1 and #3 and they were larger than they were when I removed the head and out of spec.
#1 intake allowed up to a .152mm and the exhaust allowed up to a .178mm
#3 was a little better but the exhaust still allowed up to a .152mm

so what now???

since the gap has got wider, it is very possible that you have bent some valves.
pull the plugs and cams, fill the cyl with air, if it blows out the ex, or in, you have a bent valve and will need to pull the head

how do you fill the cylinder with air?

yeah, I put the tensioner back in and got the same results... boo....

You have a compression gauge? If you have a press-fit type, it will have a rubber snout that seals the plug hole. You can take off the rubber part and put it on the air hose nozzle and seal the hole as you push air in. With cams out the valves SHOULD be all shut. Stick your ear down near the exhaust runner and if you hear air coming through your exhaust pipe, you have done bended your valves. If the cylinder head explodes from too much air pressure, you have held the air gun in place too long bwhahaha (sorry, it ain't funny?).

well, I don't have an air gun or anything so I don't think I'll be able to troubleshoot this problem...

Do you know anyone with a small, portable compressor? That is what is needed... have them loan you the compressor and their air gun. An air gun is the most basic attachment and essentially is used to blow stuff off. I have both a regular shop compressor and a little bitty compressor; I use the little compressor for doing stuff just like what you need to do and air up an occassional tire... only attachments I use are the air gun and air chuck. The compressor has a tank that only holds a gallon of air or so so you can just pick it up by its handle and carry it. I got it in Wallys a few years ago.

my brother has a compressor he uses for his nail gun.... a little bigger than a gallon, but not huge by any means... would that work?

OK! Now we're getting somewhere! Unfortunately it's a giant step BACK! UGHH.
So... I went and got an air gun and hooked up the compressor to check my valves. EVERY single cylinder was leaking air out of the exhaust ports, and a little out of the intake side... just to make sure, this IS what I was looking for, right???
So now what? Replace all the valves? When I replace valves do I have to replace valve guides? Springs?

Bummer, yes you are going to need to have a valve job done on the head, this should include checking the guides for wear, and replacing if needed, grind the seats, set the valve clearance on the bench.
the springs should also be checked and new seal installed.

Find a shop that knows how to work on motorcycle heads, you may even need to send ot off someplace,

I guess my big-dumb question now, is: HOW THE HELL DID MY VALVES GET BENT JUST FROM SITTING THERE???