I'm getting bored

[Pat Kelly]

Got the bike back on the road. Did the 20 mile initial break-in, runs good. Had one minor problem with a fuel line falling off a carb T.
Got it home from the 20 miles and did an oil/filter change. I was all set to head to Del Puerto Canyon for the 2nd phase of the break-in but, of course, wife has to go to work and I get to watch the kids. She works tomorrow too so a nice Sunday ride is out.

I may go out for the next 200 mile phase when she gets home at midnight.

[Pat Kelly]

Bike is running good since becoming an XS1200. I do still have issues with cylinder #2. The ports and valve area on my head didn't look all that good and I'm still getting some smoke. I am going to replace the LG head with a head and cams from an E.
I Emailed Cometic who supplied the gaskets for the Wiesco 1196 kit. They said the have the fiber/metal gasket (that came with the kit) or a copper gasket.
Any advantage to using the copper gasket over the fiber/metal gasket?
Also, any issues using the 78 head/cams on the 80 motor? (I see a couple of others have asked this in another thread with no reply)

[mro]

thinner gasket = higher compression.
When used in an over all strategy to improve performance, (shave head, slotted cam sprockets, port/polish etc. etc/ etc.) is a good idea to use so as not to marginalize something like shaving the head. Otherwise makes little difference. If I had one, would use it tho.


mro

[mro]

Heads

stock
78 engine, 9.2-1 compression ?
80 engine, 9 - 1 ?

above due to both piston and head differences
Would prefer a 80 head with 78 cams
and the 78's timing set up as well
____
if head port done un-even (my opinon) is worse than not doing one. Head up side down on bench, gasket surface super clean, can place a thin piece plastic with one small hole over each cylinder. useing a colored liquid (something easy to see like ATF) and a seringe can now fill each to measure how many cc's in each and then either grind to equalize to largest volume or weld/grind to smallest volume. (can be done to cylinder/pistons same way but taking from the piston to equilze)

Both done coupled with balancing WILL make a noticeable smoother running engine as well as allowing slightly higher rpm.
Pistons/rods can be balanced with an inexpesive scale, crank is a differnet story.


mro

[Pat Kelly]

I'm only going with the 78 head and cams because I have them available. I'm not looking to pump-up the engine for all it's worth.
The 1196 kit is advertised as 10.5/1 compression ratio. I saw no difference in part number for early or later XS's so I'm assuming there will be no clearance problems.
I'm not having the heads ported or polished. Just a complete cleaning and valve lapping. If my buddy at the machine shop wants sees anything that needs to be addressed (and won't cost me an arm and a leg) then that's ok but I'm after reliability.
So in my case where I'm not looking for a particular performance edge. Is one type of gasket more reliable than the other? (I really have no experience with copper head gasket).
I will have to address my clutch issues. It's now slipping occasionally .

[John]

Clutch Issues

When I did my big bore I went ahead and bought new clutch discs and springs, and had the first/second gear issue addressed at the same time, though the problem hadn't surfaced yet, because I didn't want all that newfound horsepower just bouncing and slipping around in the crankcase.
I agree with the issue of piston clearance with 80 pistons, and a 78 head and valve train. If there is no difference with the Wiesco pistons betwenn the two years, then I think all would be well in the end.

[mro]

CC-ing and balancing does not make more power.
Will make engne more reliable and efficent.

Head gasket failures of any type are a symptom/result of another problem. Most common is from a engine over heating.
Don't think one is more/less prone to fail than another.

Have you done the "extra steel plate" clutch mod ?



mro

[Pat Kelly]

I'm relatively certain the clutch is the original (65,000 miles). I have another (used) clutch assembly here so I'll measure everything and use those parts if they are in spec. If needed I'll have another steel. I still may go with least) new springs.
2nd gear is fine so I won't mess with that.
When I had the head off doing the BB kit, it just looked like someone had done some grinding on the intake ports. I should have gotten a better head at that time. Intake and exhaust on #2 had a lot of carbon build-up, more that the other 3 cylinders.
I'll see how the 78 head cleans-up.

[Pat Kelly]

Replaced the 125 main jets with 120's. It was just too rich with the 125's in there. Mucho bettero now.
Had all week off, should have done the head swap. Guess I'm getting lazy in my old age.