I heard marbles rattling in the engine and it just stopped.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by tommyjoebilly

Funny you should say that, EasyRider!

But the noise was much "heavier" than some little bits of metal, unless it led to larger pieces (gears?) breaking down??
Thanks so much, Easy, for your post!

It is very common for the first post about any problem to leave out some detail that later turns out to be important.

Given what you just said, I think you should take a look at that starter again first.
Even though a damaged flywheel might sound easier to fix than a trashed top-end, it may not be because the case might have to come apart to do that.

Regardless of what the cause turns out to be, it is not likely to be easy.

Sorry for your pain.

[tommyjoebilly]

Thanks EasyRider. I'm gonna drain the oil and take off that plate on the right side to see what I can see.

[Dupo]

/moved to appropriate section.

[tommyjoebilly]

Thanks Dupo. I didn't really know where to post this.

[tommyjoebilly]

Ok, I drained the oil and took off that plate. I noticed that the bolt were different lengths, so I numbered 'em, so as not to screw up. For what it's worth, when draining the oil I let it run over my fingers, to feel any "chips" of metal. There were none. That's a good thing, I think.
Next up is the cylinder head.

[tommyjoebilly]

Ok, I took the cylinder head off today. I tied up the timing chain to the handlebar using some rubber bands to keep it engaged with the crankshaft while allowing me to work around it. The valves are intact and there's no scoring of the cylinder wall, so I think that the ring(s?) did not break.
Next, is to open the crankcase and see what's doin' down there. Do I really need a torque wrench to tighten the head bolts?

[patrick_777]

Probably a good idea to torque to specs.

[BillInGA]

The service manual specifies a criss-cross torquing pattern for the cylinder head nuts, and the cylinder base nuts are torqued after the cylinder head nuts.

[tommyjoebilly]

Thanks Bill. I haven't put her all together yet, but I will refer to the manual for that process. If you don't have a torque wrench, can you "guess", like give each one an equally good manly twist? Those four nuts were on there pretty good. I was using a basic rachet.

[blaine]

Originally Posted by tommyjoebilly

Thanks Bill. I haven't put her all together yet, but I will refer to the manual for that process. If you don't have a torque wrench, can you "guess", like give each one an equally good manly twist? Those four nuts were on there pretty good. I was using a basic rachet.

If you don't use a torque wrench you will likely warp and ruin the cylinder head.