I thought that head sitting on the motor was a joke. 
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The SG's Top End Swap out.
- Thread starter azman857
- Start date
This is a tough old motor but I don't know how well it'll stand up to being assembled half full of rusty parts, lol. I can't believe you did that. And you didn't cover the top cover with rags while you ground out the rockers. I think that motor is going to be just full of grit and junk. Hope it survives but if it starts eating bearings shortly, guess you'll know why, lol.
What ever happens to this motor I will claim full responsibility.
After installing said motor and getting it loosely bolted in, it's Naproxen time!
After installing said motor and getting it loosely bolted in, it's Naproxen time!
Engine mounts tightened. Need to find cam end seals. Ignition connected. Exhaust mounted. Need to do a tune up and install the chain, coil tank and seat.
Breather mostly plumbed with dual outputs. Using 2 power brake one way valves. Cleaned up the sump plate and sealed the gasket to the plate and greased up the side that mated with the crankcase. Added fresh 10W-40 motorcycle oil. Threaded the drive chain and adjusted it. I should be able to put the gas tank on and run the starter to pre-oil.Turn on the ignition and crank to start.
Worked on The SG today. Retorqued the head. Set the cam chain. Set the valves and found the reason for the clatter. #1 intake got loose. Still have to reconnect the fuel lines and set the ignition timing. She did start easy Sunday. Hopefully I'll get some more time tonight/tomorrow and maybe get a ride in between rain showers. predicted in the morning and late afternoon/evening.
Fingers crossed Rudy! 
I hope she runs good for you. Are you planning on doing a couple quick oil changes after you get it running?
I think I did three oil changes in the first 500 miles!
But then I’m a worry wort! 
I hope she runs good for you. Are you planning on doing a couple quick oil changes after you get it running? I think I did three oil changes in the first 500 miles!
But then I’m a worry wort!
Oh yeah. Lot's of oil changes. With filter changes. While I was rotating the crank for valve adjustment, I noticed what I believe is a increase in compression. That is the reason for this exercise in the first place. Woo HOOO!!
Got the ignition timed I'm out of room for any further adjustment in the future. I'm thinking of modifying the cap where the ATU was. I figure put crankshaft in fire position. Put he baseplate mid adjustment. Place the firing magnet over hall sensor. Mark the new position of the camshaft position pin on the cap. With a Dremel and a steady hand put a new divot in the cap. I'll do this sometime later. I need to get some miles/time riding in first. I'll take pics when I do.
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azman not to be a wet blanket but if you have a new cam chain and the the cam is timed correctly you should not be maxed out on timing adjustment. Just a thought.
Camchain is not new. It was replaced a few years ago when I did split the cases. I seem to recall it was pretty much maxed out before. Even when it was new, it was over halfway in the adjustment. Crank was at the "T" and the cam was properly positioned. I double checked.
I attacked a long standing problem today. Where the 90* hose connection screwed into the petcock. When it was tightened up the angle was all wrong. There is not much thread to play with. I thinned a copper sealing washer and flattened petcock side (it was rounded) to make a better sealing surface for the washer. The washer thinning and the filing, got the right angle for the hose connection. I assembled it dry but, tight. It's not as leaky as it was but I'll take the 95% reduction. I took her out for a 50 mile ride this afternoon. My left pant leg does not smell like mid grade gas now. WOOHOO!! I'll take it a part again and reassemble it with a sealant later. I'll take some pics of it then.
The ride itself was great. The ol' SG sounded GREAT! Ran with a steady beat. The power is there!. I can't wait to get some miles on her and get past the break in period and do some 200 mile rides.
The ride itself was great. The ol' SG sounded GREAT! Ran with a steady beat. The power is there!. I can't wait to get some miles on her and get past the break in period and do some 200 mile rides.
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Made time this afternoon to retorque the head and check valve clearances. The 8, 17mm nuts were loose. I went around 2-3 times until they were all the same. It's the second retorque after heat cycles. First was after the first start and this one was after 50-60 miles. The valves were loose except for one. It wasn't tight but about .0005 less than what it set for. I'm setting the valves at .004/.006 , intake/exhaust. While the tank was off I added some sealant to the petcock hose connection and resealed the petcock to the tank. I'll run the bike to Auto hobby shop on base and change the oil. It's about 6 blocks away, so not far.
Did 96 miles today on her. Upper 60's- lower 70's and sunny today. checked out some roads I hadn't been on in a while. Lots of road projects have been completed and they make the traffic flow and roads so smooth. Her exhaust sounds deeper and crisper. Kickstarts are harder but, I expected that. The idle keeps increasing. I hope that's because of the rings bedding in. Plans for the next step is another head torque, oil change with inspection of the oil. General nut /bolt tightening. First outing I kept hearing some rhythmic hissing . Turned out to be loose exhaust clamp nuts on the Rt side. It had a new seal in there. I think the valves were quieter this time after the run as compared to the end of the 50 mi. check. I think I still do a check/setting of clearances.
Valve check came out real good. Just a check. Head retorque changed very little but, a few were just a bit loose. The cam chain needed to be taken up. Still need to do the oil change. The day is not over.
