Rebuild opinions

[sidecarKev]

I plan on refurbing my 79 xs to be used to pull a sidecar. My list so far is:
New tapered steering bearings
progressive springs
fork brace
carb rebuild
head gasket
valve cover gasket
rear brake rebuild
repaint and all that cosmetic stuff too

Is there anything else I should be adding to my list? What are the things that usually need to be replaced and would just be easier to do now since the entire bike is in pieces? The bike did run prior to my tear down. I just want to cover everything that might cause me problems in the future.

My Website

Thanks,
Kevin

[sidecarKev]

My reason for replacing the head gasket was because it looked like it was leaking. Is it a better possibility that my cam chain adjuster is leaking? Will the cam chain adj leakage look like a head gasket leak?



thanks
Kevin

[mitch]

Head Gasket

Kevin very seldom do these engines need a head gasket, it leaks out of the front at the cam chain tensioner then runs around the back of the motor so it looks like it might be the head gasket .Do a search at the top of the page for cam chain adj. You will find a thread on how to repair it HTH....MITCH

[skids]

If you have rerouted the crankcase breather to an individual filter, check it to see if it is clogged. I noticed that when the crankcase breather filter gets clogged, oil seeps past the tensioner plug and can even push oil out of other gaskets (but not the head gasket). The manuals say to make sure the crankcase breather hose (stock) is not clogged, as part of regular maintenance. There is supposedly a way to trace oil leaks by cleaning everything and then dusting the questionable parts with baby powder or flour. Running the bike will darken the powder as in indicator and it might make the neighborhood smell like a bakery!

Originally posted by sidecarKev
My reason for replacing the head gasket was because it looked like it was leaking. Is it a better possibility that my cam chain adjuster is leaking? Will the cam chain adj leakage look like a head gasket leak?



thanks
Kevin

[skids]

If the inside of the gas tank is rusty, line it prior to primimg and painting because the process can be damaging to fresh paint.

[sidecarKev]

Well, when I bought it had pod filters, no airbox. I am assuming that the breather connected to the airbox. If what I think is the breather hose, then there is no filter on it at all. Who knows how long its been that way though. So I guess a filter would be in order.

Kevin

If you have rerouted the crankcase breather to an individual filter, check it to see if it is clogged. I noticed that when the crankcase breather filter gets clogged, oil seeps past the tensioner plug and can even push oil out of other gaskets (but not the head gasket).