[northshore_paul]

Good posts...a learning experience for you and those who read your piece by piece discovery of the puzzle. You did not mention...did CMW honor your warranty as regards to the parts, as you did say they saved money by having you do the work.

[OleO]

I haven't approached the dealer or CMW since getting the bike running.
As it was obviously a defect...heck...stuff happens...I'm hoping I can
be reimbursed for the cost of the head and top end gasket kit.
While a bit of an inconvenience, I had to dig into the top end right away
as the Bullet's my primary mode of transport right now and I couldn't
run the risk of the dealer putting the repair job on "the back burner".
The project did have a benefit. I'll have no trepidations about tearing
the top end down when "decarbonising time" arrives. It'll be a "piece o'
cake". I wasn't kidding when I mentioned, in an earlier post, that I could
probably tear down the top end and reassemble it blindfolded. It's such
a simple and straightforward design! About half the tools I needed were
in the factory tool kit. The rest were at-hand in my toolbox. I'm going to
add them to the roll-up tool kit and have that warm, fuzzy feeling knowing
I have what it takes to tear-down the top end sitting in the compartment
just to the left of my right leg. I'm going to give the bike a good "going over"
and stick all of the tools needed for the job in the tool kit as well. A master link,
a half-link, a roll of electrical tape, a couple of spare sparkplugs, a roll of wire
and some duct tape should complete my "anything goes" contingency kit.
(I used to be a Boy Scout.) There's nothing you can't fix with a roll of wire
and/or duct tape. I had a '61 VW Beetle that had the throttle cable break while
a few miles from home. Because the spring that held the rear deck lid open
was gone when I bought the car, I always carried a 1 x 2 to prop it open when
I worked on the engine. I took my trusty roll of wire and tied one end to the
throttle arm, ran it around a notch I cut in the 1 x 2 with my pocket knife and
tied the other end to the driver door handle. I had some great throttle action
by reaching out the window and pulling a little tension on the wire. I'm
surprised I still remember all the details....the late 60s, early 70s were heady
times....

Ole

[Anon]

... About half the tools I needed were
in the factory tool kit. The rest were at-hand in my toolbox.

Ole

Just curious if you can recall what the other tools were (beyond the supplied kit)?  I'd just like to review my toolbox and have anything missing at hand if needed.

Eamon

[OleO]

I'll put together a list for you. I'll review the tools I used, in the
next few days, to insure I don't miss anything.

Took a whirlwind, disc golf trip to Seattle a few years back.
Enjoyed it to no end. Could dig living there.
Hoping to make it out there in September.
Will try to make the scene if you're playing somewhere.

Ole

[sewerman]

I am amazed how many of us "BOOMERS" who had BUGS back in the 60's and 70's remember our how to stories to keep them alive!  At the risk of sounding like an old fart today's key board generation won't have such memories.  I have had my head off several times including a small miiling job and a home port and polish job.  Maybe we can do them blind folded.  This was a great read and I learned something, but I still don't remember much of the 70's!  They say then that I had a great time!

[Bankerdanny]

Some of us tweeners (born in 1965, to young for a boomer, too old for gen X) had em too.

I owned 2 bugs in the 80's and a Karman Ghia.

[OleO]

The Military is running strong. The top end job at 1,250 miles, in July, did
the trick. I'm at 4,450 miles and lovin' it! Trips of 1,122 miles, bopping
around central Wisconsin from 8-10 thru 8-17 and 569 miles making the
scene in central Illinois over the Labor Day weekend, were quite enjoyable.
The valves told me it was time to adjust them on the last leg of the trip.
Ever notice how much a near-empty fuel tank amplifies the tapping?
Adjusting the valves is such an easy job. Fits right into the routine of
checking the transmission and primary lubricants. Noticed more "pep"
after adjusting the valves. Knew the job was overdue on the way home
on the Labor Day trip. Running with a heavy rider and a load of camping
gear strapped to the back takes all she can give. Any deviation from the
norm is easily noticable. The spark plug says to go no leaner than she
came from the factory. I'm certainly looking forward to upgrading to the
30mm Mikuni in the near future.

Noticed the electric starter is becoming quite balky. Discovered I can
spank the left flank simultaneous to pushing the starter button and
whatever is sticking, loose or maladjusted can be overcome. Just
like the cowboys in the movies. Spank the compartment where the
starter solenoid resides. Slap the flank of that balky horse. Giddyup.

Ole