Try our new info resource - "Aladdin's Cave" (Main menu)Just added a separate link to Ash's Dropbox thread (shortcut)
Just looked at a replacement DID cam chain, and they're split link. If that's the case, can't I cut the one that's on there and use it to pull the new one through, avoiding the need to pull the crank?
No horseshoe on a 500/550. If the head gasket is still sound I'd leave it alone, the tensioner can be removed by removing the skull cap/rocker train cap and removing the cam, the tensioner is held by a 6mm bolt at the back of the head, remove that and undo the 6mm nut from the adjuster screw and you should be able to push it forward and lift it out.As Bryan says, the pistons won't come out of the bottom of the casing but you can split the rods off the crank to allow not only the primary but the camchain to be threaded off the crank. All you need to do is remove the primary shaft in order for the 2 casing halves to be split, assuming of course you've removed all the bolts/casings. The primary shaft can be removed by screwing the step bar bolt (lower engine hanger bolt) into the end of the shaft and using one of the footrests as a sort of sliding hammer. There is a thread somewhere showing pics of how to spot if the primary chain is buggered, look for it. Keep track of where everything came from, especially the conrods caps, they must go back onto the same rod they came off. Sounds hard but actually a bit of common sense and it's fairly easy.
Nice new engine studs.
If it were me yes pull the cylinders you have gone this far shame not to finish the job.Clean ring grooves,fit new rings blow out all the oilways new gaskets and that way you know its all good again.Carbon build up looks fairly normal from what I can see but your pics are so big for the snail net over here.CheersBitsa
Quote from: Bitsa on January 30, 2015, 08:23:09 PMIf it were me yes pull the cylinders you have gone this far shame not to finish the job.Clean ring grooves,fit new rings blow out all the oilways new gaskets and that way you know its all good again.Carbon build up looks fairly normal from what I can see but your pics are so big for the snail net over here.CheersBitsaOh how I wish for the endless wallet....