I am now due to leave for the sahara in 12 weeks. I started work on my bike six months ago, this included a head rebuild ( valves, seats, head skim, rebore, new piston, rings, etc. ). I had the work done by a local engineering company/ bike mechanics due to a lack of time to complete the job myself.

The job was initially prompted by a low compression reading, and after the job was completed I ran the bike in as specified in the manual. I did the running in a single long ride. On returning home the head gasket was blowing.

I returned the bike to the workshop and it was opened up again. I was told that despite no initial problems with the torque settings 3 of the head bolts had pulled their treads and required inserts. I was also quizzed as to why all the rocker box bolts were so tight? ( I believe 7 ft/lbs is normal, the mechanis had to crack them off with a 2ft breaker bar) I obviously has no idea!

I paid for a new set of top end gaskets and three thread inserts. I was told that they excepted no responsibility for the problems but would reduce the cost of the hourly fee as a 'good will gesture'.

On return of my bike I have now completed 15 miles and have an identical problem. The head gasket is blowing and I also have seepage through my base gasket.

Does anyone have any suggestions why this should happen? I had the head skimmed to avoid any problems with warping and the engine obviously compression tests fine until you ride it above 5000 revs at which point all my problems start again!

I am now pretty screwed, I am running out of funds, can't really afford to get work done elsewhere and seem to be tied to a nightmare repair workshop....

HELP!!