Here's my dilemma, I have a '81 Special that has low compression on the right cylinder (120 on the left, 60 on the right). Using my amazing powers of educated guessing, I believe the head gasket is leaking. I've come to this conclusion because I have a significant amount of oil build up on the fins just below the gasket starting at the center of the right cylinder and spread across to the left side of the motor. It looks like the right side is leaking and running to the left side when the bike is on it's side stand.
Here's where things get complicated. I plan on tearing the bike apart this fall giving myself plenty of time to get it ready for next season. I don't really have the time or the garage space to do a head gasket swap until the beginning of August. And also, I can only ride until mid-late September.
So my question is this, can this motor hold up for a few months without a new head gasket (again, assuming that is my problem)? When I ride it now, the only problem I really notice is some coughing and back firing out of the right side when I let off the throttle. How much damage can I be doing? Am I going to be making my life a living hell when I tear it all down this fall?
Here's where things get complicated. I plan on tearing the bike apart this fall giving myself plenty of time to get it ready for next season. I don't really have the time or the garage space to do a head gasket swap until the beginning of August. And also, I can only ride until mid-late September.
So my question is this, can this motor hold up for a few months without a new head gasket (again, assuming that is my problem)? When I ride it now, the only problem I really notice is some coughing and back firing out of the right side when I let off the throttle. How much damage can I be doing? Am I going to be making my life a living hell when I tear it all down this fall?
