Blown head gasket(updated with pics)

A couple of weeks ago I developed a bad oil leak as we(Sandy, Don and I) were heading out for a ride.A short time after that the bike began to lose power. It turned out some of the head bolts were a bit loose. Tightening them up restored the power. It also stopped the oil leak long enough to finish the ride.

Compression on #1 cyl. has always been low, around 100, while the others have been around 140 or so. Before I took the head and cylinders off I did a compression check and #1 was 110 while the other 3 were all 90.
Her is a couple of pics of the pistons. Does any one have any ideas why piston #2 is like it is?

...and another

...one more

The metal that is missing off that piston was melted to the top of the cylinder. I picked it off with an exacto knife.

Something may have been plugged causing it to run way lean. Thats a little more then head gasket problem, the piston siezed in the bore

These will be on their way to you tomorrow,bud.
Send beer back.:laugh:


Ooops...forgot that you're coming to get them today.Too much rum last night,lol.:silly:

mtkawboy wrote:

Something may have been plugged causing it to run way lean. Thats a little more then head gasket problem, the piston siezed in the bore

Nope...not seized.Chewed up good,but it was still running.:huh:

Tony wrote:

The metal that is missing off that piston was melted to the top of the cylinder. I picked it off with an exacto knife.

I wonder if the loose head/dmaged head gasket was letting it suck air into that cylinder making it run way too lean?

I also vote for a way lean condition. I think we were lucky Dee didn't have to come a save you or me. :laugh: But hey wadda want for 30 year old bikes.

donthekawguy wrote:

I also vote for a way lean condition. I think we were lucky Dee didn't have to come a save you or me. :laugh: But hey wadda want for 30 year old bikes.

There's an old joke about how you know when your car is too old.... the tow trucks keep you under surveillance 24 hours a day.

If it didnt sieze it was seconds from it

Thanks for the replies,

Just before I tightened the head it was running pretty bad. On one hill where my bike usually cruises at 110-120 kph(or more if I choose) in 5th gear it was struggling to maintain 100 in 4th gear. Maybe that's when the damage occurred.

Thanks for the pistons and rings Sandy. That was pretty darn nice of you. And thanks for the firewood too. I'll try and return it to you tonight.