Dirtbike Question

[Josh B]

Sounds like the way to go Bilbo
I'm supposing it's an aluminum head?
I'd leave off risking breaking anything, maybe stop and try an EZ out now and then
Are those heads that hard to get?

 

[bilbo]

I do have a set of reverse bits and extractors. After some heat, more penetrating oil, and careful drilling I was able to get the bolt removed. The threads were a little buggered but after chasing I think it will be workable.

 

[bilbo]

Got the bike back together and it runs without looking like a bug fogger. I think I have the crappy carb at least workable; I ended up drilling the pilot jet out and it has a stable idle now. Before it would only run with the enrichener circuit on.

I did notice a metallic rapping noise from the upper cylinder area. It's either piston slap (hope not) or the cam chain is loose (hope so). The tensioners on these are apparently problematic. I adjusted it manually and the noise quieted down a little so I'm hopeful that's it. I didn't get to run it for very long because while changing the oil I discovered the PO overtightened the drain plug and ruined the threads. The bike was leaking oil badly but I was at least able to get a test run in.

The drain plug is part of a small cover that provides access to the oil pump. That means I just buy a $14 oil pump cover with new threads instead of trying to restore buggered threads in the engine case. Way to go Suzuki!