Motorcycle Repair: 1996 GSXR 1100, gsxr 1100, piston rings

Question
Hi Chris, heads off, everything looks as it should but who am I. The piston tops all look alike in carbon burns, virtually no wear on the cyl walls. The valves although a bit grimey look ok. I need to get a spring compressor to remove them. The head gasket was intact, with no evidence of the tell tale leaking or piston failing signs on it. The header mounts were snug and were not leaking exhaust. I did find a grey, soft puddy type material semi-plugging 2 of the cooling ports on the head. No steel or shavings in it. The bike didn't burn oil at all, should I remove the pistons and check the rings if all seems normal? Once I make sure the springs are in spec and clean everything up, where to next? Thanks Chris, Dallas  

Answer
Hi Dallas.

Before you start pulling pistons and piston rings, check those springs out.  No sense in doing work that doesn't really need doing.
 If the springs check out okay, then check the head for warping near the cylinders that had the low psi in the compression test.  If that is okay, then pull the pistons and piston rings and check them for signs of blowback and other damage.  Use a very strong magnifier to check the rings, pistons and cylinder walls for damage.  It doesn't always take much to cause a huge problem.
 That putty substance that you found could have been contributing somehow as well.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON