Thank you very much.

 

"So it's a nice upgrade when hopping up an XL. A piece of preventative maintenance. If you're into the cam box anyway for a cam upgrade, it makes a lot of sense. If you're not swapping cams, though, it's unlikely you're going to be making enough rpm to need it."

The pics I saw all over the internet scared the hell of me
I guess even though its unlikely in my case since i'm not swapping cams ill do it anyway, thanks for the info!

 

if you are inside the cam area you might as well put in new cams and while you have the head off, bigger valves and open the ports... I mean when you get a BJ do you really want only half of your d*ck sucked..oh sure, you won't complain but if you really had a choice??

 

"it's a nice upgrade when hopping up an XL. A piece of preventative maintenance. If you're into the cam box anyway for a cam upgrade, it makes a lot of sense. If you're not swapping cams, though, it's unlikely you're going to be making enough rpm to need it."

I wish I would have just done this upgrade. Mine shattered on a new bike with 1100 miles. It happened while doing the first ride after the 1250 upgrade. Did the extra power cause the failure? I doubt it. It never revved past 3200 after the kit install, but, it would have saved a lot of hassle if I'd have just installed the better gear.

Then again, one could argue that the crank runout was just a factory defect to begin with.

Either way, new motor under warranty. I can't complain too much.

 

so I found the section in the service manual on removing the oil pump drive gear.
it says in the manual that the nut is secured by loctite 262 high strength (red)
Is it going to be a nightmare to get off? I thought when you used red it was permanent?

 

thanks for the info, lots of good stuff at that link! Not quite as simple as I had hoped but I think I can do it. I need to order a gasket now...

 

Added to running total, this is going to end up being more expensive that I thought, but I guess that's always the case

...
17.34 Cam Gear Cover Gasket Kit James Gasket 25263-04-KX

Total So far: $1412.34

 

the secret to loosening bolts with red loctite is to apply heat, a small torch works well, just enough heat to melt plastic, not enough to melt lead/solder...the loctite gets soft around 400 to 500 degrees, I use a torch but I have heard of folks using a heat gun or even a heavy duty soldering iron...

 

Thanks I have a heat gun and a propane torch. I'll try it out if I have issues...

 

I am going to advise you to use the heat before you have an issue...red loctite is one of the few items that has been invented in the last 100 years that actually does what it is suppose to....I have broken heads off of bolts that I did not know had loctite on them...But, once it is melted the bolts come right out, it seems it actually acts as a lubricant on the threads when it is soft...