(16-10-2011, 12:41 AM)beepee Wrote: How times change! Does removing the head really require an expert rebuild? By gum when I were a lad it were second nature to do basic engine maintenace like taking the head off.Even on a four pot job it ain't that difficult and the only expense would be a new gasket.

I do remember a very good friend of mine being disqualified fom the MGP 250 classic for having an oversize engine by approx 1cc! However his satisfaction of not knowingly cheating and lapping at 92mph on a 250.99cc Ducati was reward enough,well almost

Hey ho,old school, old fart talking.

I watched the factory mechanics, ( sorry, technications, I learnt in the IOM this year that mechanics, are now techniciations !) strip the Honda motors. There was no mystery to it at all, just using a normal looking tool kit. Rebuilding it did not seem a mystery, a few gaskets and common sense. It makes me wonder weather some of to days riders only want to race their bikes, and do not, and do not have a clue regarding the maintainance of them. Surely not rebuilding your own motors ( and bikes) takes a awful lot of pleasure out of racing them.