After the test ride, just to Birchwood and back, at speed, on the motorway, I checked the front cylinder heads. Everything seemed to be fine. No oil showing, the exhausts are properly seated and sealed, the bike didn’t blow up so the valve timing and such must have all been right. I patted myself on the back thinking it was job done.
I rode to work, 12.5 miles, mostly motorway, and when I parked up a puff of smoke came up. I panicked. I had a look and there was a little bit of oil dripping from the back of the engine onto the exhaust. All I’d done at the back of the engine was take off the valve/ rocker box cover. So the floppy rubber seal mustn’t have sealed properly. I’ve ordered a new seal and taken the cover off again and cleaned and dried all the surfaces. When it arrives (hopefully tomorrow) I’ll clart it in silicone sealant and fit it. As it’s the rear cylinders I didn’t have to take much off. I should have it back up and running in an hour or two.
I initially had another problem as well. One of the cylinders wasn’t running on tickover. I think the pilot jet must have been blocked. I’ve ordered some Seafoam carb cleaner (just pour it in the tank and it de-gunks everything) and a new jet. I’ll use the Seafoam anyway (no harm in cleaning stuff out, seeing as I’ve already bought it) but the last time I started it it was firing on all four again. If the problem comes back I’ll strip and clean the carbs when I do the valve timing.
The main thing is the cylinder head swap seem to have gone off without a hitch. My £733 bike is good to go!
OK, it cost me £72 for the cylinder head and £68 for the head gasket, but it’s still a massive bargain. It’s a VFR750, it will run forever. It’s only some ham-fisted fool stripping out the thread on the cylinder head that has caused any real problem.
I spent way too much (£191!) on getting the posh top box that goes with the fitted rack. And £45 on a new (double bubble) screen. And £33 on the rocker box rubber. But they are personal choices. (I could have cleaned and re-used the old rubber, it was oil tight when I got it, but I’m hoping a new rubber will be stiffer and hold it’s shape better, so I don’t have to faff about). The box was just convenient. I needed a box, and the bike came with a really good rack already fitted, so I just bought the corresponding box. I did feel a bit silly after I found the right one, ordered it, and then thought “£191 box. On a £733 motorbike!” The screen is well worth it. The old screen was in great condition but the wind buffeted my head something fierce.
Also, I changed the oil and filter, plugs, and radiator coolant, but that’s just basic maintenance, I’d have done that on a £2k bike.
Hopefully I’ll have it back on the road tomorrow. I’ll ride it for a few weeks until my shims and new intake rubbers arrive, then do the valve timing and clean the carbs if necessary. Then just ride and ride and ride.
Oh, forgot, the foot brake isn’t lighting the brake light, so I’ve ordered a new switch. £5.
This is the best bargain I’ve ever had. And what a bike.
Cool.