stevec8831
XS650 Enthusiast
Need some help guys. My simple xs650 project may have just turned into something more. As I was getting ready to start taping off my engine to get it ready for a new paint job. I removed one of the rear valve covers and found a piece of broken metal. Now I'm not sure how to move forward. The bike was running fine before the build and all I was planning to do was some cleaning up, repainting and changing a few items. Nothing major was planned. All I've done to the bike is tear it down, stripped some paint, some welding and grinding on the frame and replaced some filters. I've done nothing to cause this break. I'm just glad I found this before I got all done the build and started the engine. I've found where the broken piece came from and attached a few pics and a diagram to try and show it's location. It's a small piece of the head between the rear points side valve and the cam. My question to everyone is what should I do? Will this missing piece affect the engine? Has my simple build turned into having to tear it down and replace the whole head? The bike is just going to be a bar hopper and I'm not planning on trying to break and land speed records. All I want is for it to look good and run on a daily basis. Any help anyone can give me will be greatly appreciated.