I am now in fingers crossed/ducks-in-a-row mode for the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride. As part of my bike preparation I had planned to remove my sump plate to check for any nasties sitting on the screen. I should have checked it a week ago but put it off until yesterday. Sure enough, there lay a piece of mangled thin shim. This morning I threw a dial indicator on the timing end of the crank and quickly revealed at least 10 thou of float. No hesitation, it had to come apart. A few hours later and the engine is now out. Done for today, but I'm now on a mission to complete a strip-down, replace main bearing and shims, clean sldge trap and do a general inspection faster than I've ever done it before.
Sooo, if I make it through this repair I'm going to be on a pretty tight bike for the DGR. Otherwise, I suppose I will try to make it to the start/end point to enjoy the spectacle.
Richard L.