Topic: '77 750K engine rebuild

[wiskey]

I will try and make this as brief and straight to the point as possible.

last winter i brought a '77 back to life after sitting for 20+ years, I had a blast ripping her all over town however in late September I developed a lout "tick" noise. The bike ran for 5 min after the sound developed, I parked it and haven't touched it since. I will be tearing it down this winter and fixing/replacing what broke. I think it could be valve train related, however a friend of mine thinks I spun a bearing.

I want to build a fun yet street-able (reliable) motor. I'd like some insight to what other parts I should replace while i have the motor off.

Here is what I have so far:
-836 kit from ebay (pistons, rings, wrist pins, gaskets) (not installed)
-electronic ignition (pamco) 3ohm dyna coils & wires, iridium plugs
-factory air box with drop in k&n

I will be getting heavy duty studs and a new cam chain tensioner and cam chain. and of course replace whatever broke. I have been toying with the idea of head work and a mild cam but I know this starts to add cost quite fast

What else should I add to increase power and/or reliability. I would rather do things up front the right way and avoid doing things twice!

Thanks for the help!

[madmtnmotors]

Open the inspection caps in the valve cover and check the valve adjusters first! I've had the locknut loosen up and the subsequent excessive lash and flailing rocker will make a heck of a racket!

[iron_worker]

I believe over size intake valves and a decent port job is supposed to be one of the first things to address on these motors. It is a bit of a bottleneck on the stock design. A cam with that work would really wake it up. Running the stock cam on a big bore might choke your power down a bit. The big bore will need the duration and lift to really allow it to breathe.

All depends on your budget though. I went through this same process and was pretty convinced I was going to do a big bore, lightened crank & alt, oversize intakes with superflow valves on both, ported and polished, a hotter came, stiffer springs, titanium retainers, digital ignition, etc etc etc. Then the price really started to escalate quickly and I realized my bike had too much sentimental value to hack it up like that. I decided that a stock type rebuild was more appropriate for my dad's old bike. I want it to be a reliable cruiser just like he used to ride.

It all comes down to what you want and how much you can reasonably budget.

IW

[knowsnothing]

Open the inspection caps in the valve cover and check the valve adjusters first! I've had the locknut loosen up and the subsequent excessive lash and flailing rocker will make a heck of a racket!

+1 One loosed up on my 78, made an aweful noise.  Just had to reset it and everything was fine after.

[wiskey]

Open the inspection caps in the valve cover and check the valve adjusters first! I've had the locknut loosen up and the subsequent excessive lash and flailing rocker will make a heck of a racket!

Thanks hopefully I will get some time and check.