2008 February 19: Disassembly (2.00 hours)

Updated: 

  • Pulled the petcocks from the tank and drained the old gas. Petcocks were not clogged (although the inside of the tank certainly needs to be coated).
  • Pulled and disassembled the carbs. They'll need new kits, but they don't appear to have been clogged.
  • Pulled the heads...they look terrific!
  • Pulled the right cylinder and piston. It is Nikisil and looks brand new. It is in fantastic shape.
  • Pulled the left cylinder and piston. The oil ring is broken. Appears one end may have gotten hung up during reassembly and snapped off. All the nikisil plating is gone from this cylinder. It appears to be easily re-platable. I certainly cannot run it the way it is.
  • Drained the engine. Normally cold oil drains pretty slowly because it is so thick. But, this stuff shot clear past the center stand almost to the rear tire. It had been diluted with gasoline that had leaked past the petcocks. It made a nasty, stinky mess.