Motorcycle Repair: Knocking, piston slap, bike mechanic

Question
QUESTION: While replacing base and head gaskets on my 97 bagger, i had the cylinders honed and put in new rings. i took my time and did everything the bike mechanic said to do. after reassembly the bike started perfectly, runs fine except for a knocking sound when shifting gears or cruising, if i twist the throttle and put a load on the engine it goes away. if i throttle back it comes back unless the motor is slowing the bike. this wasn't happening before. could it be a lifter, or did using james gaskets change my deck height enough to loosen my pushrods. maybe a compensator, as the bike has 79,000 miles? its really got me pullin my hair out! thanks, Brian

ANSWER: When you say they honed the cylinders, did they hone them for the next size pistons? Did you check the rods for up and down play?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: no. we ran the stones thru just a few times to break the glaze on the walls, so the new rings would seat.(we did use torque plates) the rods didnt seem to have any end or side play, which i found shocking, given the amount of miles on the bike. got a stethescope yesterday, and it definately sounds like valve train niose in the rear cyl.

Answer
Since you just changed the rings and did some honing, you might have to much clearence in the cylinder to piston causing piston slap. Using the James gaskets wouldnt change anything. What you would need to do is mic the cylinders to make sure they are not to big.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike