Topic: which way to go

[Don R]

My K0 with K4 engine has an exhaust valve hanging open. The cam and lifter look OK but there is about 1/4" of lash. The valve opens a little but won't close. Three of four rocker stand bolts are stripped out. I can pull the head without pulling the engine. Do I  repair it or put in another engine [maybe a 900cc] I have that seems to run?

[Alan F.]

Hi Don, sorry to hear about your engine.  That's a 750 right?  I hate to tell you this but you can't get the head off without removing the engine in a 750K of F frame.
I'd put in your spare motor and keep riding while you figure out which way to proceed with this engine.  The swap might only take a few hours if all goes well.

[Don R]

Thanks, for the advise. In a  bike where the PO cut the lower tubes I think you can pull the head. My brother found a midget racer who supposedly has a couple of mild ported heads in good condition. Might be a way out, My brother also has an aftermarket cam. Why not? Maybe when I get it in my hands, someone can identify it for me. O yeah, sorry it is a 70- 750

[bryanj]

You dont want a tuned motor in a cut frame unless you love gravel rash

[Alan F.]

+1, it'd be mighty brave and very messy to clean up afterward.

[754]

If you dont overide the bike into corners, ie ride it within its capabilities, you may not even notice it is cut. If you try to keep up with everyone else then you may notice. ( I put at least 5000 miles on a cut one) There has been many of them.

 Its a bit like the Windjammer crowd telling you how unsafe a chopper is.

 Go for the hop-up stuff, you may never want to go back to stock..

[Don R]

I already ordered a repair kit from Gordon, I'm not really a corner carver but I have been known to ride it hard. So far it doesn't seem to matter it refuses to run anyway.  It apparently did not run before being put away 8 years ago. PO was a bolt stripper hammer mechanic.
 I have gone from a quick tune-up and carb cleaning to a major resto job. So much for riding this summer. I still win, I got an 11-69 build date 750 with perfect lesters for $650. And one NOS candy blue green sidecover in the box.

[Alan F.]

Its a bit like the Windjammer crowd telling you how unsafe a chopper is.

That's great!       

[Don R]

thanks Alan, I missed that the first time. Funny    hey I had a jammer once 

[754]

People tell ya all kinds of stuff out of fear..
 Most of us riding a 750  sanely would not even realize it was cut.

 I rode my 836 wiithout aircleaners for a long time even in the dirt a bit, and everyone told me it would quickly wear out the motor, and it didnt..  ( actually I was astounded  :oat the condition of the bores)
 Would I recommend either, not really unless you had a good reason.... but its not the rapid destruction everyone makes it out to be