Hit a Wall

[Incognito485]

  Hi, after searching off and on for a few years I finally decided to look into buying a Banshee.  Long story short I found a guy selling a 96' and we came to an agreement, which I thought was reasonable considering the issues I observed.  I did a compression test on the engine, and came out with 125 PSI on the left cylinder, and 135 on the right.  Rear brakes need a little work, but the front brakes work, and it runs and drives.  The body overall looks pretty straight,   He did point out that coolant was leaking from the seam on the top of the head (right side), which I immediately figured was at minimum a head gasket issue.  After kicking the bike a few times you could see a noticeable amount of coolant leaking from that seam.

 

  Fast forward- Decided to tear down the bike a bit and work on it when I get time.   Once I got the gas tank off I looked at the cylinder head and noticed that one of the nuts on the head (where leak is) was larger than the other. Cue the punch in the gut.  Right then and there I knew someone had performed hack job.  I pulled the head off and saw that the head, gasket and stud hole had been "opened up" quite a bit, and someone jammed what appeared to be gasket maker in there to try and make it seal (SMH). The bolt was obviously didn't fit, and was glued in with silicone.  Anyway, the stock studs do fit  in the larger hole, and it appears that just the top of the hole is opened up.  It looks like it got loose and just moved around in a circle.  Even though it screws in, there is quite a gap where the stud meets the head.  I also saw some scratches on the dome and top of the piston (left side 125 PSI, detonation?).  So, the obvious solution at the time of putting a new gasket and and calling it good is out the window.  Given that, I want to know what you guys think on trying to salvage the cylinders by re-tapping and putting a new stud in,  or just scrapping the cylinders and buying new ones.  And in that case what are most people's recommendations.  I know there are options out there, but wanted some feedback from you guys.  Sorry for the long post, now its time to drown myself in some adult beverages.

 

I tried to attach photos but they are too big?

[375hp banshees]

Use tapatalk for pictures. you can helicoil stud and epoxy the top flat and try it.I would at Minimum pull top end off and look at the rest of your pistons, bore & And check Clearances.

After that you can decide which way to go . depending on what you find, and what your future plans are.

 

If you need, dig around on here . I think kawa110 had cylinders for sale cheap. maybe The good one, is the side you need ?

you'll just have to match the bores.

Otherwise if your crank is good, buy a driveline top end & be done.

 

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