Should I replace Cam chains / piston rings ? & other pro

[tedmagnum]

Iv just bought an africa twin for a 15,000 mile trip of South America. The bike has 50,000 miles on the clock and apart from "claimed" regular oil and filter changes, it hasn't had a single service in 40,000 miles.

Iv checked the valve clearances and their fine. When changing one of the plugs, i noticed it was very stiff coming out and the new one wont go in past halfway so im assuming the threads damaged. Ill prob remove the head and clean/tap it/helicoil it. Any suggestions ?

Anyway, whilst iv got it this far apart, do you think its worth changing the cam chains and piston rings ?? how long are they good for on this bike ?

Is there anything else you can suggest doing on this overland beast ?

Cheers in advance, Ed

[Blues N Twos]

I have heard that the cam chains are very resilient, However you obviously know your way around a bike engine and if your that far into it I would probably go the whole hog and do it..... for your own peace of mind if nothing else.

Good luck with the overhaul and i'm not a bit jealous that your going on a big adventure.

Jon

[Blues N Twos]

By the way...... welcome to the club mate.

[Muckybill]

take care how you fix the damaged plug hole.
It may just need a tap run down it to clean it up. I have heard of helicoiled plug holes leaking. There is a copper insert that is guaranteed gas tight, most engine repair shops can do this.
For peace of mind i would do the cam chains when the heads are off, but i think the piston rings are good for at least three times what is on the clock.
Good luck.

Bill

[Muckybill]

Oh and replace wheel bearings and take some spares with you. It may be a good idea to grease the swinging arm and suspension bearings.
Anything else you know where we are and have a great trip.

Bill

[tedmagnum]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help and the warm welcome. Its not my first africa twin. I toured the whole of Europe on one 3 yrs ago and i only bought it for that sole purpose. Apart from the sore bum off the terrible seat, i loved every bit of the bike. Sadly when i got home i swapped it for a ZX7R as i was still in my sports bike youth phase. I didnt think id miss the Africa but when it was gone i felt abit empty. I couldnt wait to find the excuse to get another one

[mal]

I don't know if you realise you have to remove the engine to remove the front cylinder head, If so best of luck on your trip.

[paultheold]

Welcome the the site.

You can get a thread cleaning tool for the heads. I was lucky when one of my plugs picked up on the thread, it was the easy one to helicoil, an was done in situ. Don't force the plugs in if they will not go in finger tight. The engine is a pain to take out.

[tedmagnum]

I cleaned out the plug hole with plenty of oil and an old sparkplug and a nylon brush, taking my time and not using any force. The thread is now nice and clean and the plug flys in and out.

It was easier with the head off as quite a bit of much fell out. I wouldnt recomend doing this with the head on. It was ok for me as im stripping the bike down to the crankcase anyway for new rings and a bore hone.

Fun and games eh