Topic: '76 550F, 9800orig miles. Head off. Replace rings?

[motorhead55]

I am new to the site and asked some questions regarding a replacement cam for my bike. Found that endeavor to be very elusive. Can't find a new cam anywhere.
I have owned the bike since new. It has sat for periods of time as I had back surgery and other injuries due to my 30 years working at UPS. I wasn't able to ride motorcycles. I have the head off now due to the oil galley orings leaking. The bike really hasn't been run in about 4 years. (carbs and fuel were drained)
I can still see the origional cross hatch in the cylinders but I wonder if the rings might stick from sitting. Bore is STD. I had thought of just doing a light hone and replace the rings. No bore. 
I was thinking of laping the valves, replacing the head gasket and maybe rings. Any opinions??

[Bill Vaughan]

As long as the engine never stuck during those storage periods, I wouldn't be too concerned about the rings.  They should loosen right up with a little road time.  And with only 9800 miles, they're probably well within spec.

Your camshaft is available through David Silver Spares (www.davidsilverspares.co.uk).  $355.82 plus shipping.

[bryanj]

Replace all gaskets and "O" rings from base gasket upwards; valve stem oil seals due to age everything else should be hunky dory

[motorhead55]

Replace all gaskets and "O" rings from base gasket upwards; valve stem oil seals due to age everything else should be hunky dory

Would you pull the cylinder, replace the gaskets but NOT the rings? Would they reseat OK?

"Your camshaft is available through David Silver Spares (www.davidsilverspares.co.uk).  $355.82 plus shipping."  Thanks Bill.... Just a little steep ($$$) for me

[Lars]

No need to take the cylinder off for a hone and new rings, unless you can spot obvious marks on the cylinder walls. Leave it, just do the top end job necessary and replace the top end gasket. 9800 miles is nothing for these bikes.
Lars

[KingCustomCycles.com]

If you do remove the rings, reinstall them where they were before.  That is the definition of "break-in" when the rings and bore mate to one another through slight wearing.  If you hone, replace the rings.  That is what we do on aircraft piston engines. 

[bryanj]

Yes i would pull the cylinders--It will leak soon if you dont
No i would not remove or replace rings unless broken or stuck

[Gordon]

Yes i would pull the cylinders--It will leak soon if you dont
No i would not remove or replace rings unless broken or stuck

+1

Removing the head can and likely will break the seal of the base gasket, even if imperceptibly.  How happy would you be after you installed all new top end gaskets and o-rings, and got the bike running again, only to spring a leak at the base gasket? 

[motorhead55]

Thanks Guys!!!