ok this is what my engine looks like right now. I have the 09 parts on order.

Valve pics. I ride very little salt water.

Decided to go out and pull the pistons off today. I was surprised at how easy it was. Still waiting on parts and some other things to happen. More engine pics

I checked the ring gap clearance today on the old rings out of curiosity. Interesting all rings were around .013 top ring. I did not check the second ring.

Tonight, I decided to try the tri stone setup for deglazing and honing cylinders. I could of done a better job but overall I am satisfied and know it is better than doing nothing.

Still waiting on parts and still waiting on parts.

nice work...

Parts are in! I leave for Va for a week and then when I am back hopefully I can get it together. I dropped something off to a friend today and will see if he can work any magic.

Today I prepped the case for the crank case mod. I think this will work and since I plan on pulling the pan to change and inspect the oil chain bolt thingy I feel comfortable doing this.

I stuffed all crevices with newpaper and packed it in tight. I then taped over all the paper to provide an outer layer of protection. After the outside was taped, I rolled the tape into balls with the sticky side out and stuffed in the corners and areas I knew I would be drilling.

Finally before I drill I am going to place lots of grease on the bit and grease in the areas I am drilling above the tape.

Foam earplugs work great for blocking the oil drain holes.

I hope this works.

Am I looking at these pics right? Are you able to swap pistons with out cracking the rod bolts and leaving the crank in the block, or is that picture an illusion? I've wanted to do the piston update, but didn't want to get into the machine work and having rods resized....i'm assuming this is not different than a car engine reduild, you crack the rods or replace rod bolts you should have rods resized?

it is super easy and you cannot think car engine. Head comes off, piston case comes off, remove circ clip and piston, replace with new piston. It is not hard.

Today I decided to do the cc vent mod. After doing it I wonder if I should of left things alone. I hate the fact I cannot leave some things alone and just have to try it or do it. I did this mod with the crank in the case.

The end result is satisfactory and luckily I did not make it worse or get shavings all in the pan. Grease worked well and using a vacuum worked well. Next step is rinse the case, crank, pan area with clean oil and drain.

I will be glad when the engine is back together and I no longer have to look at the holes up front. I hate I scrwed the location up. I could of went lower, but I was afraid of removing to much material.

Pics below