I picked up this bike over the summer. It was cheap enough, had a title and within 150 miles form home.
It sat here in the shop while I finished my summer repair work. I really didn't know what to do with it. In November, I had a free day so I rolled it on the lift. The engine was not stuck but, it didn't move easily. I dropped the pan and found no metal flakes of any kind, just a thin-ish film of sludge, normal. I decided to pull the top end and see what was up. The first thing I found was this...
That's a petrified mouse. The funny thing is, that cylinder slid right off. It was the other side that had a stuck compression ring...
A little soaking and a block or 2 of wood and I got it apart. The pistons cleaned up nicely so, I sent the cylinders off for Nikisil plating. I installed new rings, reground the valves and seats and put it back together. The carbs were surprisingly clean. A quick bath in the ultrasonic and they were good to go. I replaced the points and condenser, cranked it to get oil pressure. Installed plugs and hooked up the IV fuel bottle and it fired right off.
The gas tank still had fuel in it, stinky 35 year old fuel.
I drained and washed out the tank with mineral spirits, then after it dried I dropped a few dozen drywall screws in and did my best "La Cucaracha". I washed it out with Dawn dish soap and then filled it with 5 gallons of white vinegar. I let it soak for about 4 days. Then drained, washed again, another session with the screws and washed again. It came out nice...
Now, I'm replacing the tires and steering head bearings and fork seals...
The wiring is good, a few minor issues and cleaning the contacts in the voltage regulator and it charges.
It's missing the side covers, if anyone has a rusted set of white ones, let me know.