1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

Greetings! First, thank you for all the great posts I’ve been reading. Does this cylinder and head need replaced or is it possible to get these resurfaced? Notice the nicks.. at 3 o’clock on the head and at 7 o’clock on the cylinder.

I’ve been getting it running, rebuilt the carb, new gas, plug, etc. it started fine then after a few nice spins around the block, it dies a slow death and I found a leak around the head. Pulling and cleaning the surfaces gets me another few rides, then it leaks again. Is there life left in these or should I move to replace?

Thank you from Ohio!

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Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

look up how to mill your head. Basically use a flat surface and sandpaper, rough to smooth. 100 grit to finish 800. keep flat and move in figure 8.

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

Pane of glass and high grit sandpaper. Keep the pater wet and move in a figure 8 pattern. That's not too bad probably wouldn't take too long.

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

Thank you! I’ll report back!

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

How about a new head gasket? ;-)

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

if you mill the cylinder too you dont have to worry about the head gasket, but many say always run one.

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

Thank you all, I milled the head and cylinder, see the pictures. As soon as I started on the cylinder I lost a chunk of metal (first of the pics) I eventually sanded it out. Initially up close, it looked cracked. All I can say is my arm will be sore tomorrow...

For those that run head gaskets, do you make your own or buy?

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Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

That looks pretty good. I'd run without one but yeah I wouldn't make a head gasket I'd buy one.

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

ive never seen a cylinder crack like that, strange.

Re: 1974 Piaggio Ciao head/cylinder question

you may have a leaking decamp valve.

take apart and lap the valve with valve grinding paste.

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