The rest of Suzi's motor has been consigned to Paul for the final massages.

"We'll spec it, I'll run the flat hone through it, we'll see if we need to bore out.  Chances are it only needs rings.  Yeah, that carbon deposit on the cylinders is normal.  Looks like hell, but it's normal.  Engines get that after about 10 minutes of running.  And you were burning oil anyways, since your valve guide seals were shot."

"So what about planing the head?"

"Typically we leave the gasket surface alone.  It's aluminum on aluminum, and shaving it down will change your compression, your timing, really mess it up.  No, I don't plane it.  Now if this was an aluminum on iron, like a car engine, that would be different.  Your head and jugs are both the same metal so they both warp at the same rate, no need to mess with it."

"One last question.  Do I need to replace the oil pump?"

"Nah, those are really simple lobe type rotary pump and unless you blew something up and hard parts got run through the pump, there's no need to replace."

Well, that's $90 I didn't need to spend.  Too late now though, the order is in the mail and a 20% restocking fee applies.  I might have to ask if he wants a NOS oil pump for an '82 GS1100....

Now, only to paint the two minimal plastic parts that are going back on the bike and it's back to the Eternity of Waiting for Paul to Finish The Motor.

Maybe it'll take less time for him this time, since it's not fiddly like the head.  Maybe I'll get the engine back by Christmas...

Oh, some trivia:

Total parts cost first order: $180 (misc stuff like R/R, spark plug caps and seals)

Total parts cost second order: $200 (Fuel tank emblems, intake boots, misc hoses and gaskets, and the unnecessary oil pump)

Total parts cost to refurbish head: $300 (eight exhaust valves and guide seals)

Total labor cost to refurbish head: $300

Total parts cost for cosmetics: $50 (2 cans flat black, 2 cans stripper, several paintbrushes, scrapers and tack cloths)

Total project cost, approx: $1000

And I haven't yet spent $300 on new rear suspension, sorely needed; haven't replaced the turn signals or bought bar end mirrors, and there's no guarantee the damn thing will even run after I get it all put back together. And furthermore, I'm doing about 1/2 the stuff to the bike I originally intended.  What I'm doing amounts to a top end, only. This could so easily have been a $3000 project....

So if any of you should perchance be considering the complete overhaul of a big-bore, 16-valve, late 70's/early 80's musclebike: be forewarned. This isn't your grandpa's dual-sport.

(Although to put it in perspective of performance numbers, to overhaul an 70's Lamborghini, if even possible, would cost....)