TOPIC:

Got some maintenance done today. Adjusted the rear brake, adjusted the angle of the windshield.
Almost connected the fuel level sensor wires, haha - why 'almost'? I was looking for the right connector that will fit the one on the harness. The sensor is from some other bike, and it would be easy just to cut both ends and make the current flow, but I was going to visit someone who I thought might have it. Met him, and thinking the one on the harness is female, I didn't take his female connector! Well, at least I kniw that when I go back, he has the right part. And I'm going to take it, and install it, instead of cutting wires and fitting something else.

What else...

Removed that right cover and hopefully it will not drip oil again around the grommet. I will test it as soon as weather permits.

What else... Oh, that's right! Removed the cam cover! Things look shiny and clean. I am very happy. A peek inside the engine showed more of the same. I am very happy and that's an understatement. Of course, the whole purpose was to re-torque the cylinder head nuts. Applied the 29 lbs./ft. to the main nuts in the sequence per manual three times, and the required torque for the four smaller 10 mm bolts, until nothing moved. I didn't measure the exact numbers, but if someone wants to take a note for reference, all main nuts turned about 15 - 20 degrees.

Here, for nostalgia, a few current photos of the cams after 300 km. Next will be after the braking in period for valve clearance adjustment, and that's after another 1300 km. That should be it for opening the engine.

Out of interest Stan, did you put your cam cover gasket in dry both sides, or any sealant on the bottom side to hold it down consistently?

Richard.

Thin layer of sealant on the head, the top just smeared with some oil. It was sealing very well and came off equally easy.

I checked my valves in the spring. I'm pretty sure the valve cover had never been off before and it was a huge PITA getting remnants of the 32 year old gasket scraped off the cover and the head. I spent two long days of careful scraping. The new gasket went on with both sides liberally coated with grease. I'm due for another check; no leaks so far, and hopefully the cover will pop right off with zero fuss.

Tell me about it. Under the cylinder block there is even more 'friendly area' scraping, the oil pan, etc...

Went for a long ride and made it short. The right cover still dripping oil from the grommet area. I'll wait for the engine to cool down and re-tighten it a bit carefully. If not, it has to come off again, but then what?....
Otherwise all works fine. Needless to say, it's a seemingly simple small problem that pisses me off in a big way because I can't go on a longer faster ride. And I want this bike to be fully broken in before winter. I need another 800 miles...

I had this happen to me it turned out to be the bolt hole in the cover at the bottom that has no direct support behind it had been over tightened (by me) and cracked the cover which allowed oil to appear to be leaking from the gasket when In fact it was the hairline crack in the cover look at the cover with a magnifying glass to see if that might be it.