Finally got the 350X (Saturday), broke an intake valve Sunday!

[bbechtel16]

For those who remember me (leaving my old sig for a bit to jog memories) I finally bought a 350X. I went to look at it with my friend, hoping I wouldn't actually buy it but I did. '85, high comp Wiesco (they said its 11:1 but they don't seem to make an 11:1?), stupid Cobra noise maker, everything else stock as far as I know. I paid $750 knowing it was leaking some oil from the left side cover and the gas tank is seeping due to rust. However, fork seals seem good, the decompression cable works!, and it has a new OEM style front tire (though the rears are all but bald Holeshot rip-offs). I guess I did fairly though I didn't look it over like I should have. Let me know what you think of the deal.

So yesterday we went riding (friend has a 250R) and after about an hour everything was great and it just died. We pulled it/pushed (mostly pushed) it with the R up to the house through the snow (a spectacle in itself) and found that that left intake valve stem broke, causing the valve not to pull itself but up into the head, the piston doing the job for it. Hence the piston is a bit "polished" at 2 spots opposite the reliefs, but certainly usable. There's no serious metal anywhere, so we're hoping to hone it, ring it, get the head up to speed, and have it back together.

I probably could have avoided this had I changed the oil before riding, but having not ridden in a year I was a little impatient. The oil smells like kerosene and was a little low. Fortunately I'm not upset because at the end of the day I still have a 350X.

There's my semi-organized thoughts, feel free to shoot back at me with w/e. Great to be back!

[old honda dealr]

Kind of a bitter sweet story. But I like the outcome. You now have a 350x

[eh_tee_see]

I remember you just fine- you used to have a 250 with the 350 headlights, the plastic tank and the fork guards and an exhaust rigged up with plumbing for a while if i remember right (wasnt it a white brothers e-series?). Its nice to see that you got yourself a 350. I know how it is to get a 350 and F it up within the first week. Beleive me, I've done it twice. Its cool to see you back though. Have fun with that 350.

[bbechtel16]

Yep that's me...

[bbechtel16]

OK. The head is at the shop to have a new valve guide pressed in. My question to all of you is what you would recommend for the head. I intend to put an aftermarket cam (nothing too crazy, but i like to rev) in eventually (if not now) so I was figuring it would be a good idea to install new valves, springs, and retainers, then have a 3 angle job done. I'm not sure what would be the best parts to use though, or if I'm missing anything or overkilling. Please let me know your thoughts.

[bbechtel16]

bump

bump some more because my post is too short...