I think for the simplicity of the 2st I would pull the head off her. on a 1993 f150 I would do it with vacuum and grease on the tap. Think how nice it would be to have the head locked in a vice to work on it. The piece of mind that a metal shard wont get caught between the piston and the exhaust port on the way up is worth more than a head gasket too. I have done many of these repairs on cars and trucks a lot of the ford triton engines blew plugs out. The dealers would send them to a machine shop and the motor would come apart. I would fix them for $85 each plug. with the vacume and grease on the tool that reamed then tapped them. On a 4 stroke any shrapnel will get pushed out the exhaust valve and not likly hurt anything. On a 2 st the chances are way to good of it getting caught in a port and grenading.

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1984 Honda Magna 700, 1987 CBR1000F, 1991 Nighthawk 750, 1994 FZR600, and for the dirt 1995 KTM 300 EXC and finally a 1986 KX500

Yeah the more I think about it, it's so freakin easy to pull the head off the RD, I would just pull the head. What is it 8 retaining nuts? While it's off, you can scrape the carbon off the dome of the head as well. I would pull the head and helicoil it rather than swapping heads with the donor bike. I think its an invitation for a blown head gasket in the future to mix head/cylinder from two different engines.

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2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

Yeah I've ruled out the other head. Ugh, I guess I got to quit be impatient and looking for the quick fix. I hate waiting on parts to ship. But it's worth it. It's too nice of a bike to fudge on the repairs.

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There is no need to look at an proper insert being installed correctly as a quick fix it is THE repair for this situation and is perfectly fine if done correctly. NAPA may be able to get you inserts, if they don't already have them in stock, instead of just heli-coils. The big retail style chains often dont know what they even have there so you may want to go look yourself they may have them. Most real parts supply stores that supply shops will either have them or get them same day if you order them early in the day. If you need get me the plug thread and pitch and I can get you the napa number if its available.

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1984 Honda Magna 700, 1987 CBR1000F, 1991 Nighthawk 750, 1994 FZR600, and for the dirt 1995 KTM 300 EXC and finally a 1986 KX500

You could look at this as an opportunity to do a complete strip down and rebuild. Think how nice it would be and sound if brought back to almost factory specs...and in the words of the worlds biggest wanker Jemery Clarkson, think of the POOWWEERRR!!!!!!

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Always ask why.

Well I was referring to not taking the head off as the quick fix not the helicoil. Waiting for a head gasket is gonna be the killer part. I hate waiting. lol

Ceemes, Im gonna have this bike forever I hope, there is plenty of time to do a complete rebuild. But for now I'm like a fat kid in a candy store. I just can't wait!

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Yeah I can totally understand as you have been bike-less for a while now? I would be itching to get it running so I could ride!

For now you're just going to have to sit on the couch and make funny motorcyle noises like this guy ->

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2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

Just to update anyone interested... I have fixed the plug hole with a steel insert and seems to be fine. Anti seize will be the plugs best friend from now on. I am waiting to get a few bucks saved up to get new points and a condenser for it and I think she will be ready to go. In the mean time I have been polishing the wheels and various other bits of metal. I put some better shocks on the rear that were on the parts bike and shot them with a little fresh paint. Well, painted them then installed. Flipped the bars back over so I don't ding the tank anymore. Gonna try and locate the turn signals off the SRX and put them on there. Just cleaning her a little by little till I get the points and stuff. If anyone has a recommended procedure or products to get the tank shined back up a bit I'd like to hear about them. I used some mothers cleaning wax I believe it's called and it worked great for the side panels but the tank is still dull and has smudgey looking stuff.

Edited to add that I did take the head off to put the insert in as I had to drill the hole a bit bigger to get the insert in.

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You still have the SRX?

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2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

well technically I gave it to my brother. But it is at my house waiting for my brother to fund it's repair. He turned it into the cafe'ey thingy it is now.

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