Hey guys, thanks for the feedback. But first I should elaborate, I didn't mean to get anyone alarmed or concerned at all. My intention of the thread was to prove it's not wise to gob-off about something sometimes, it will come back to bite you.
The bike is a 1990 DR650RS, 22nd bike off the 650 production line. I saved it from being parted out and did a resto on it. I originally stripped the motor down and discovered a broken third driven gear, re-welded kick-start return spring/pawl lever, the offending re-welded piece no doubt did the gearbox damage. There was a broken clutch spring spigot and a cracked inlet manifold. The piston/rod was fresh, the bore recently honed. The exhaust cam lobes and rocker arm were slightly worn...what you would expect from a bike with 67,0000klms on the clock. I (and others) didn't think it needed replacement yet.
Here are a couple of pics during the resto that I dug up, showing the slight wear on the exhaust cam lobe and rocker arm face. I didn't actually focus in on the wear for the pics as it was not the intention of the photos....the wear was more a colour diference than a feel change.
All internals of the motor seemed good and it was resealed and it and the rest of the bike to the last nut and bolt, was restored. I have done about 3,500 klms since the motor went back together with all the new gear/clutch etc., parts. It's new (pre-soaked) clutch plates added and had two oil and one filter change since the resto and prior to leaving on my christmas adventure. I have only used Castrol Activ 4T 15W-50 (exceeds API SG and JASO MA2 standards)
The trip was 2,939 klms in mostly 35-44c degrees weather. All types terrain covered. Since I've been back and gone over the bike, I needed 350ml to bring the oil level to low level. This was a surprise as the motor is tight and has full compression. There is a mist of weeping at nearly all oil flow external connections. It has never "blown smoke".
I intend to strip the motor further and check the head, clutch, oil impeller and counter balance chain. See what the crank feels like before I go any further.
In retrospect, to come out of what I have just achieved with the old girl, $390 is not that very much at all. And if it needs a valve job too, I already had that ticked for the not too distant future, as 12 months on the road was fast approaching. Ironically the parts won't arrive until that very anniversary.
My apologies if anyone got their nickers in a knot.....
(ps....anyone know about the removal of Zinc Sulphate from oils, and it's supposed detriment to sliding surfaces?)
Cheers,
Chris.
