While Jason Lukacsko wasn’t our January winner, he submitted a great entry to last month’s contest that we felt was worth including in the newsletter.
Jason sent his explanation and accompanying photographs, shared with permission, below:
“August 18th 2018 was the day a 1983 XR500R was on dirt for the first time in who knows how long. I purchased the bike (along with an ’86 XL250R) as a package of non running bikes sold as is on July 24th 2017.
That winter I embarked on what would be my first time tearing into an engine, prior to this replacing a clutch was the farthest I ever had to go other than general upkeep. I quickly found the problem, stretched timing chain which lead to jumping of the cam teeth and bent valves.
Mobile Cycle Works to the rescue with a valve replacement job and a fresh hone of the cylinder. I slowly sourced the remaining parts I needed to completely rebuild the top end, which was followed by a complete carb teardown and rebuild.
With all the parts in place she came back to life and I was as giddy as a school boy when she fired. It wasn’t perfect as I quickly learned I needed to work on my valve adjusting skills, but after another round of feeler gauges she was purring like a kitten.
I don’t have anywhere to ride here in Delaware so I had to haul her back to my childhood home in Belmont county to my friends place known as “The 500 Farm” for a beautiful day of riding the trials with old friends.”
