The four studs that hold the cam followers and tappet block are doing an excellent job of stopping me from getting the head out even though I can rotate it 360 degrees in the area above the barrel studs in the frame. I even removed the front rear shock bolt to give me a bit more room. I'm getting the impression that the only way to remove the head is by undoing the front engine bolts and loosening the rear ones - or am I missing a trick?
For completeness:
- I still have the airbox in situ
- The rear downpipe (that goes to the exhaust) has been removed
- The metal engine breather is out of the way
- The rear carb is out of the way
- The petrol tank is out of the way and the top monoshock bolt has been removed, the bike is on the centre-stand
- I've tried removing the head to the left and to the right, by twisting it and by rotating it - it's been very close to coming out at times but keeps running out of room and one of the tappet block studs stops it from emerging
Tomorrow I'll have a go at loosening the front engine bolts, etc. however if there's a way to remove the head without so much effort that'd be wonderful. Then I can repair the thread and get back to running in the bike (it's done a good 40 miles so far and is great fun).