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Sounds like you are both making real good progress, Steve. And to Matt too for all he has done!

Finally made time to get the parts off to Sunnbobb for polishing. I may need to replace that left side valve cover
I had read several places that it's possible to remove the fork lowers in-situ. But I'm here to say that if it's been done then there's a much better man than me out there. There doesn't seem to be enough mass in the lowers to act as good slide hammers. Those darn seals would not budge. I ended up removing the tubes, clamping the lowers in the vise and using the heavier uppers to smack the seals out.

Besides, you've got to take them all the way off anyway to slide everything off and put in the new seals. I don't see the point of trying to get them apart while on the bike. Plus it takes a lot of force that could damage something else like triple trees. I'm removing those comments from my forks how-to.

Oops, look like I got a pic of the back of the lowers.

If it doesn't leak .... keep it.

Memories are made of this.

Gord (hum along) Jones

You've got a point. I'll have to hash it out with Sunnbobb.

Nice to se things moving along...

Roady, I remember seeing this thread when I started the 77 restoration. I am glad to see you still working on it. I do not know if you remember our conversation at Mid Ohio last year, but you promised to help me with carbs if I ever got another project. (Pistol Pete did those as I thought they were over my head) Well, I am in the middle of a melloyellow carb project and you have been noticeably absent from the conversation. Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated and good luck with "Flipper". Ernie

Looking forward to it Bro.

Update needed!!! I know the heads are getting polished via other posts, but time for an update here.

And you better keep that valve cover with the scare, it would be a shame to loose that patina. Polishing is fine, but something that deep needs to be preserved. Makes in unique in a nice way.

Sunnbobb inspected the scarred up valve cover and said that it was cracked all the way through. So I believe he tossed it in the scrap heap and is sending me a replacement. Also, he's probably going to keep the belt covers that were stained in my dishwasher.

Waiting on parts ... new signals, seals, cables, belts, etc. are in and I need to go thru those carbs before they go back on.

Ok, if cracked then it could be welded yet I understand the rejection. So time to move on.

Yeah, one of the valve covers was cracked, I suppose it could be repaired. You can have it if you wish..LOL. I am working on finishing the polishing. This coating is tough, real tough. I am keeping the "blued" valve and timing belt covers, since I have to polish like they were rough to begin with, might as well polish some rough ones. I would have swapped the fork tubes too, but they are blotchy, and the carb caps are matched to roadys carbs. One of the valve covers I am returning is one of the originals, I worked the scratches out of it pretty well. I have valve covers finished, one shock and one carb cap.

Which seals do you intend to replace Steve? I understand the belt replacement may just because you have the belt cover out for polish and it would be a shame to put shiney belt covers on 4 year old belts.

Fork seals and new valve cover gaskets. A few others but I can't think of them right now.

I just finished reading your whole thread Roady. What a beauty you've got! When Sunbbobbs done with the polishing its gonna really shine purdy.