It’ll all be forgotten when that six is singing its song again!
When I decided to take the bike off the road on July 29 to start this work, it was because the 100 degree heat and the choking forest fire smoke made riding unbearable. I had collected all the bits-n-pieces by this time so it seemed logical to proceed. Ironically I had naively estimated I'd be breaking in the engine in 2-3 weeks ! HA !
blah blah blah and here I am. The decision to replace the Cruzinimage rings and purchase the IMD's was my "delay". Compare these two brands (in hand) and you'll understand. Delay accepted. The New valves were at the machine-shops request. Delay accepted. I expected I'd be replacing pistons but decided to wait on the machinists verdict. The valves were as much as a new set of pistons so no $$$ issue there. Already had a new Forseti cam-chain. The measurements - new to old - were so close I kept the original chain. I had the Liska C/C sprocket. I made a new CCT rubber roller. No concerns !
And then of course: the "Italianmetals" head gasket. Thought I was going to puke when the gasket started doing the same......before I could even get the rad-cap on !
Can't help but wonder now, "What else can possibly go wrong next"? The answer seems obvious (to me). The reorder of the Kawasaki gasket will be handled by the same jack-ass that filled the first order and it too will arrive damaged. In this situation I will keep reordering until "someone" gets their shit together. If that means I deplete Kawasaki's entire inventory of head gaskets to get ONE that's perfect ; well.......sorry ! (not)
"Kawboy": A "Cometic" head-gasket is a final option.
And of course: Something as ridiculously mundane as a set of 6 header gaskets that are too large to fit the head?
"Karma" apparently has Sisters and they have clearly ganged-up, for this project !
Aside from the "issues" it's been an interesting journey which I've enjoyed. Not overly complicated or challenging, work-wise.
It’ll all be forgotten when that six is singing its song again!
NO....it won't ! And THAT, will be the icing on the cake.
It's the "waiting" that's the Bitch