I didn't read that in this update.

Guess you didn't read the ?? either

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Additionally three bad exhaust valve guides are being replaced.

1. Who was the greek geek who dropped the pebble in the water, said no stone falls on the same spot each time.
2. No guide lines up on the same spot so you cut a new seat.
3. A valve walks up the head and hope the thinnest shim is factored-in on a new seat cut?

Break-in is out of the question. Joe Blow is right next to No Shit. Both moved same distance, same oil, same heat cycle, etc., or they'd all take a shit next to each other.

The shim is now ABOVE the retainer, as it should have been all along. So, that one part will be applied to ALL valves.
Retainer harmonically hammered = Heat treating failure?

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Rudy I wasn't sure what you meant. Part of me thought you were being facetious. Part of me thought maybe I misunderstood something. It really wasn't the question I was replying to. It was the sentence.

As far as the retainer... I'm saying it splayed at the keepers allowing it to shift upward.

I agree with Hub (I think)... replacing valve guides at this point? I wonder if he got the measurements from Kaw on that one?

Ehhhnnnnttt. (that's a buzzing noise in case you were wondering). The polls are closed and the votes are in.
Retainer seems to be the popular choice causing the keepers shifting in place. All very good and very close.

Answer is (drum roll)....... collets aka keepers aka split locks. Reason? something to do with a rift in the event horizon. Stars moons and planets all in alignment? Who knows. That is the part the dealer swapped out; the shims now above the retainer. I am looking forward to hearing from the machinest once he is done replacing the parts. At this point there is no clear explanation. I would expect that K would want to inspect the parts.

So as not to hurt anyones feelings, in light of our current overly sensitive politically correctedness society, everyone is a winner!!! Congratulate each other at your local bar... or ice cream parlor. Whatever works.

I checked with the dealer when the bike will be ready. Maybe a week or two from now; depends on the machinists schedule.

For those who are wondering; the dealer is kicking in some monetary help with the labor and K for parts. Exactly what I won't know until I see the invoice. But so far it is looking like around $1600. Shoulda got the extended warranty but who knew. If I did opt for the most expensive plan then I would be saving around half; $800. Crapshoot. I once got an extended warranty on a new car. Used it once on a heated seat repair which cost wise ended up being a wash.

As always, stay tuned.

I'm not PC so I think I got closest. Retainers not retainer groove. david gets honorable mention.

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Bottom line is you are near a resolution, and just in time to enjoy the rest of the summer. Congratulations!

So either the retainer or the valve keepers were made wrong/out of spec such that the shim sat too far down into the retainer? I think this would cause the valve to valve seat clearance to be much tighter than designed, can you find out what that valve at the valve seat interface looks like maybe get a few pics?

Very interested in the final root cause!

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So? All better by now I hope?

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Hi guys. Crude, thanks for asking. Sorry for not updating sooner. I went dark..... and busy with other things. I just got off the phone with the dealer; the head is still with the machinist. This is one busy guy. They expect the bike to be ready some time next week. Not much more to report. Well actualy there is; I asked about the exhaust guides going bad due the air injection and if it is safe worth it to plug the hose.

On a different note; got the BMW running good. It hasn't been registered for more than 10 years; still isn't. Took a ride to A&S to get an idea of how much to sell it for; he said $3000 - $4000, these old bikes are going up in value. Drove home doing 65 in the slow lane on H50 when I sense/see a vehicle in my blind spot. I go faster then slower and it stays with me. Yep, CHP pulls me over for expired tags. I don't even have any paperwork with me. I told him what I was doing. He was good about it. No ticket. Then we had a discussion about him getting screwed by A&S when he had to sell his GS1200 and ended up selling it to them; he was not happy about the $$$ hit he took. I haven't ridden it since this happened a few weeks ago. Reg is due this Sept but if I register it now I will have to pay for the whole year then come Sept. pay again. DMV does not prorate.

My car registration is 2015. Bikes are 2016. Got stopped once for not having on my seatbelt and he asked to see my registration. Didn't ask for insurance. No ticket. Didn't say a word about the 2 year old tag. Guess I better do something about those.

Hope they get that 14 running soon.

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FINALLY!!!! Back on The Streets Again (west coasters should recognize this, esp. East Bay Oakland).
Here is a pic following an overdue wax-on wax-off so you know that it really does exist.

It has been over four months since this debacle started. And wouldn't you know it, I get the BMW registered last week, drive it to work for the first time and the next day the dealer calls. She goes up for sale soon; I have no need for two bikes, especially since the BMW sat unused for 15 years.

Sooo, here is the final answer for the cause of this situation: worn collets. By how much I don't know but that is what the tech said the machinist said. Go figure guys, cuz I haven't got a clue how this could happen. Anyways, I took her out for a quick 60 mile ride today on freeway and then backroads home. Stretched my/her legs a bit and all seems to be right. Definitely lights years different from the BMW in all regards.

I know you're gonna ask so here are the particulars: all collets replaced, all oil seals, all exhaust valves replaced with new guides, all sorts of gaskets and some other misc. parts. The valves are now all in spec.

$$$$$ everybody wants to know right? Well out of pocket was $2155 Yeah I know... BUT..... it could have been much more. Both the dealer and K kicked in a grand each, so it could have been $4k. Thank you to Goodtimes Sacramento and K! And thanks to all of you and your support!

Ground zero, am I the first?

Im glad it is finally all sorted out and fixed. I dont understand how the collett could have worn and caused this out of spec conditions. Im guessing they were out of spec from new and the cam lobe/bucket gap was always out of spec causing wear on the exhaust valves. But now its time to ride and have some fun this fall.

Thanks for the rest of the story.

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But now its time to ride and have some fun this fall.

Yeah, man. My head hurts from all of this. I can't even remember what I though it was. Glad you shared the whole story though. Sometimes wierd things happen.

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Glad to see you back riding rv. Love that color. It's my favorite.
Hopefully you'll get years of trouble free riding from now on.

Mad

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