Today's update: The carbs went back in yesterday, so I got out there after lunch to put the hex bar linkage back in along with the Turbo rain hats and air cleaners, re-routed the spark plug wires, installed my re-painted heat shields (Boy, they look nice!) and marveled at how everything lined up and just went right back in - And this is on a CMC where nothing has ever fit first time!!
It's becoming clear to me, though, that I can't leave something lying around on the floor or the bench from a month ago and expect to always remember exactly where it goes or how it fits. Twenty years ago, sure, but today? Not always. It sucks gettin' old.
After that the oil filter mount went back in - That's always like watching a Calvin and Hobbs fight scene because of a couple of blind bolts, but it's in there and solid (and it wouldn't be a CMC without a few blind nuts and bolts to contend with).
In the end, everything went back in place and I have a small Tupperware container with almost nothing left in it - two screws I decided to upgrade to shorter and a few washers and the Alternator B+ terminal cover (which I would love to upgrade from black rubber to red, once I find one).
So tomorrow, it's set-the-valves day, get some oil in it, pump up some oil pressure and get this baby running, again. It's been way too long, but I take the blame for that. I wasn't in any hurry to Git R Dun, so I let life get in the way as it often does. I got a lot of things fixed or upgraded after over 20 years of driving it (starting with a clutch cable bearing upgrade on the pedal shaft and new clutch cable months ago) so I have very few complaints other than a few moments when I found something and thought "Why the Hell did I do THAT?" and "fixed it" so it'll be a similar question the next time. 🤣
I've got a new clutch and cable, a bunch or new engine tin, an anti-mouse-screen and cleaned everything up so it looks like new. It's gonna be a great Summer season!