Jim wrote:
Have you measured the big end connecting rod radial bearing play? My crankshaft would have needed rebuilding for that reason alone, and its seals were shot on top of that.
Haven't got that far into it yet Jim.
There was much that went on with the engine when the original owner had it. The bike shows a little more then 19000 miles currently. It came with a Clymer manual with the following hand written notes:
15620 miles -1977 - Engine was ported. Raised Exh to 35 mm from top and removed 3.5 mm from intake piston skirts.
17130 miles - 1978 - Re-sleeved the ported cylinders using (74/75) sleeves, New rings and pistons. NOS Crank installed.
17200 miles - 1978 - Milled heads .030, cut squish bands.
Then it looks like he rode it for 1800 miles and it got parked.
The 2nd owner just stored it for 10 years and then I got it.
I think the engine had been dormant for 30 years or more until I fired it up in the driveway this Spring.
So it will be interesting to see what the mechanical condition of the crankshaft is. The Rubber seals are probably suffering from 3 decades of dry rot.