Top end rebuild break in

[ehkmcveh]

Whats the proper way to break in a fresh top end, piston rings/honed cylinder/ lapped valves. Only had it started for 5 min but hearing different methods for the break in.

[Nessism]

Just go ride. Use a good bit of throttle but no redline and no lugging for a while. Follow up with a valve clearance check and torque the head after a hundred miles or so. If the head nuts are loose then follow up in another hundred miles until the nuts stop loosening. Some guys advocate the Moto Tune break in method. That's fine and all but I don't think a strict redgment is necessary.

[ehkmcveh]

Just go ride. Use a good bit of throttle but no redline and no lugging for a while. Follow up with a valve clearance check and torque the head after a hundred miles or so. If the head nuts are loose then follow up in another hundred miles until the nuts stop loosening. Some guys advocate the Moto Tune break in method. That's fine and all but I don't think a strict redgment is necessary.

Ah ok thanks ed, Just a little gun shy right now because when I idle the bike and it the bike warms up, there is some noticeable smoking coming from the engine. Appears from the head gasket. Wonder if it just needs a re-torque.

I have about 5 min of start time on the new top end, my buddy is telling me to just ride it and see what happens

[ehkmcveh]

No smoke coming out the pipe though, which is a mystery if there is smoke coming out of the head gasket????

[Nessism]

Did you spill some oil on the engine that's starting to burn off?

[Guest]

Rebuilt motors always smoke for awhile. If it is puffing smoke out the head gasket then you'll be doing the job again.

[ehkmcveh]

yeah its puffing out a bit I think. Going to try a re-torque today.
Then maybe take er for a ride.

Just read that guys re-use the head gasket all the time with no issue
Just weird that its puffing out the gasket and not the exhaust pipe

[ehkmcveh]

Did you spill some oil on the engine that's starting to burn off?

No I can see the smoke billowing up between carb 4 and 3. When I move my flashlight down it appears to be coming out of the head gasket... appears

[Guest]

You reused your head gasket?

[ehkmcveh]

yeah I did

[ehkmcveh]

Head bolt torqueing... The service manual says between 25.3 and 29 ibs-ft.
you are suppose to step in up... say 10, then do the sequence bolt pattern.. then 20... then final

Has anyone gone a little tighter just to get a better seal? I have read some guys going up to 40,

[JTGS850GL]

yeah I did

I'd bet you'll be pulling the head again. Pick up an OEM head gasket and you wont be doing it again anytime soon.

[ehkmcveh]

I'd bet you'll be pulling the head again. Pick up an OEM head gasket and you wont be doing it again anytime soon.

Lol..... more than likely..

Gonna try the re-torque first..

Anyone with try with a little tighter torques spec?

[ehkmcveh]

RE-tightened, started at 10 ft-ibs, tightened in the proper sequence... then 18, then 26, then 32. Boom No smoke

[JTGS850GL]

We'll see how long it lasts. Hopefully for a long time.