Have you had a chance to pull the head yet??
Yes....good news is I don't need a new cam or valve job!
Bad news is, I need nearly everything else. Not really, but I've decided to bite the bullet and rebuild the motor, not exactly cheap but I plan to keep this bike and want a solid reliable rider.
Each cylinder has it's own head and they come off easy with the motor in the frame.
The #1 and 3 look fine, but 2 has some debris build up.
It appears that it has run lean and the top of the piston has detonated.
Look closely at the edge of the piston at 7:00...
Here is #3 head and piston...doesnt it look like the head gasket was leaking? Head bolts on #2 & 3 came off much easier than #1.
After much research on the Kaw Triples Forum, this is a common failure to bikes that have sat for awhile.
The rubber crank seals dry out and crack allowing air in and the motor to run lean, and cause failure. Mine could have been worse.
Funny thing is, I'm not bummed out about it. I bought it as a non-running project bike, that is always a gamble. And it's not a Honda...ha!
Stopped by my buddies yesterday, he has agreed to help me pull the motor and split the cases. He's an ex-Honda tech and has a proper workshop, I'll bring the bike there, we plan to start next week. [My half of the garage is like a greenhouse right now, it's in the 30's outside and the wife has moved her plants inside so they dont freeze]
So the crank needs to be rebuilt, proper tools are a must. I've found and been in contact with an expert Triples crank rebuilder in MD, I'll be shipping him the crank in a week or two.
I've measured the bores, they are approx 59.5mm, which is standard. I'm leaning towards Wossner piston kits, +.5mm [$350]. I know a local, trusted shop that will bore them at $50 a hole. Apparently Wiseco's raise the compression which isnt necessarily a good thing on these bikes with the gas that is available here [10% ethenol unleaded].
So that's where I am, I've bit off a mouthful!
