Spent a few hours on this Sunday splitting the crankcase and checking various components.
Notes:
1. Crankshafts main bearings look all good.
2. No play in connecting rod bearings, will not disassemble them.
3. Gear shift forks's thicknesses all in limits and no sign of any damage.
All the rubber parts, that are in direct contact with oil, are hard as plastic. Did not get a single valve stem seal removed in one piece. Rubber dampers in primary drive gear were also 'plastic'.
When I removed the clutch, I noticed that clutch discs were sticking like glue to each other. Then I remembered that I once had an issue with clutch not engaging. Furthermore, discs' surfaces are a bit glazed I'd say, but the thickness' of the discs is basically like new (above 3.5 mm). I still think it is best to replace all the discs.
And the BIG question to you guys.
What should I do with all the gearbox's roller/needle and ball bearings? Replace all or not? Needle/roller bearing show now visible wear or play. What I have learned is that most of the bearing in CB500's gearbox are are hard to find and pretty expensive, especially in Europe. Right now I think about replacing all the ball bearings and keeping the old needle/roller bearings. Good idea or not?
Cleaned the cylinder head, valves and cylinder block. Ready to be taken to the machine shop.
Notes:
1. Cylinder #4 had the lowest compression reading. I found that the exhaust valve's face (sealing surface) is pretty burnt and probably need grinding or I have to replace the valve. All the intake valves were good, but all the exhaust valves were showing signs of leak.
2. All but one, #4's, piston ring end caps were under 0.35 mm. The top ring in cylinder #4 had a gap of 0.72 mm. Will replace that.
3. Ring's side clearances were all good.
