couple questions on head work

[1980gs1100l]

i had to remove my head to take to a machine shop my question is is while i have it off is there anything i should do besides just replace gaskets should i go through it or just put it back on

[KGB]

If you dove that far.............check or just replace the valve stems seals.
Cheap enough and they will/do dry out.
Check the valve seats and of course the valves themselves.


Check the head and decking for any warping.

Overkill? nahhh just be thorough

[Nessism]

As KGB said, you may as well check the parts while you are there. You should also pull the cylinder and replace the base gasket. New rings with a hone job might also be a good idea. Sorry, but once the ball starts rolling...it's hard to stop.

[TheCafeKid]

As KGB said, you may as well check the parts while you are there. You should also pull the cylinder and replace the base gasket. New rings with a hone job might also be a good idea. Sorry, but once the ball starts rolling...it's hard to stop.

Exactly. Its one of those things that are "since you're in that far, you might as well..." Before you know it, the whole top end's rebuilt, and you've got another 3-400 into it more than you'd planned. But, it IS reassuring to know that you'll get another 30-40K miles or more before you ever have to start thinking about it again...

[KGB]

As KGB said, you may as well check the parts while you are there. You should also pull the cylinder and replace the base gasket. New rings with a hone job might also be a good idea. Sorry, but once the ball starts rolling...it's hard to stop.

Been there done that and still have the S to prove it.
What started out as a "simple" top end, it was blowing some smoke and
you could hear some valve tapping..............turned into a COMPLETE motor rebuild and a few hundred more? Spent about $2k in parts.

Was it worth it?
Absolutely, and I'd do it again.