[SteveW]

Yes, same finish as my 06 as well. It's definitely nice.
To me, their intention was to match up the colour with the fairing infill pieces and the air intake below the headlight.

 

[SteveW]

A few heat cycles have revealed a few things.. That's ok, I know what bits I need to order 😎 cam cover was going to come off anyways which includes gasket replacement.
Radiator hose will be fun..

 

[color me gone]

Looks like a good cleaning is in order too.
what is the verdict with the block off plates?
While you are in there you could pull apart the front motor mount and check the rubber dampers. Might be worn and loose.

cmg

 

[color me gone]

Break the dremmel and a flap wheel out and port match/open the factory velocity stacks? Unless of course you have a set of bear or muzzy stacks laying around.

cmg

 

[color me gone]

Just a thought, instead of spending money on the cam cover gasket, you could clean it real good and then order .5mm ss shims to go under the cam cover bolts. Here in the US McMaster Carr has a very good selection. Cheap too. Puts alittle extra squeeze on the cam cover.

cmg

 

[SteveW]

You read my mind on both matters Henry!
Will be checking those front rubber mounts.

I do have a set of Bear stacks not sure if I'll put them in yet, but this is how they compare to the factory B3-6 stacks.. I may just use the dremel anyways and give them a go

Regarding the gaskets though, I've already got a full set sitting here including the 7 bolt seals and spark plug "figure 8's"
Thought I'd just go new, seeing as I dont know the exact history of this bike. Mind you, it's only showing 39k kms on the clock..

 

[SteveW]

Everything got a clean..

Chain is a DID VX, condition seems ok, not sure yet if I'll swap it with something more heavy duty. Gave it a good clean and spray with WD40.

Front fender and hugger are pretty sweet! Have very similar weaves and colour, I'd say they're from the same manufacturer. Bestem USA?

 

[Duck00]

I've done the same thing with using 2 of the oem washers under the cam cover bolts, works well.

 

[color me gone]

Looks brand new !

cmg

 

[SteveW]

I've done the same thing with using 2 of the oem washers under the cam cover bolts, works well.

Maybe next time I'll try that trick!

Looks brand new !

Just a bit of elbow grease.. Nice and clean to do some actual work now.
Havent decided on block off plates yet, probably easier to just order some

 

[SteveW]

Time to do some work..
Unplug everything, drain coolant

Gave spark plug well holes a good blow out with the air gun and checked with an angled mirror before pulling the plugs out..

New CR9EIA's to go in, I always put some anti-seize on the threads first

Front engine mount rubber bushes are ok

Cam cover bolt seals looking pretty sad, comparison with one that has had 24k kms use on my B6 (I've always renewed these after doing valve clearances)

Ready to check clearances

 

[SteveW]

Inlet specs to be between 0.15mm and 0.24mm
4 - 0.15, 0.15
3 - 0.17, 0.18
2 - 0.20, 0.18
1 - 0.19, 0.20

Exhaust specs to be between 0.22 and 0.31
4 - 0.25, 0.23
3 - 0.28, 0.25
2 - 0.26, 0.22
1 - 0.22, 0.26

Think I will definitely swap the 4 that are on the bottom limits with thinner shims.
But MIGHT do 8 all up to balance things out a bit more...
The 2x 0.15 inlets, the 2x 0.22 and 1x 0.23 exhausts - I'd go for shims that are 0.025 thinner.
The 2x 0.20 inlets and the 1x 0.28 exhaust - I'd go 0.025 thicker.

 

[SteveW]

Pulled the throttles out for a clean too

Will send the injectors off for a clean and flow test, seeing as they have been sitting for quite a while with stale fuel

Pilot screws were in at extremely different settings, pulled them out for a look - tips seem ok, will give them a good clean up and put back in with new O-rings

 

[Duck00]

That's a good job you're doing Steve.

 

[color me gone]

Steve, ngk plugs like most plugs direct NOT to lubricate the threads.

cmg

 

[Duck00]

That's good info cmg

 

[SteveW]

Yes that is good info Henry - and I have been told that in the past... I only put the slightest amount of anti seize on them.
I do think it helps out a little bit, they don't get tightened very much either.

 

[color me gone]

Inside the engine looks really clean, this has to be encouraging. Does this have the secondary butterflies in the throttle body?

cmg

 

[SteveW]

I'm quite happy with how clean it is inside. Will be good for many miles to come!

Yes it does have the secondaries in there. I know a lot of people take them out, but now days with the Woolich ECU flash you can reprogram them and get them open sooner!

 

[color me gone]

It would be cool making a throttle map that pours the throttle on real nice without overpowering first and second. Would be fun to work that control out with the secondary flies. I’d love to see the woolich flash project !!

cmg