2002 bandit 1200S saga, Part II

After discovering the surprise under the Signal Generator cover, I decided to go through the bike and check everything. I took all the plastics off, checked the frame, and started on the motor.

While doing this, I ordered a replacement signal generator. The fried culprit is here. I have never seen one so badly damaged in all my years of wrenching on bikes:

The replacement part OR what it should look like:

All installed on the bike:

So, while I had the plastics off, I decided to check valves. Normally, you can just swing the fairing out of the way, remove the tank, and gain access to the valve cover, but I removed everything to see if there was anything else wrong with the bike. Of course, I discovered that the previous owner indeed lied to me about not working on the bike - there were bolts missing everywhere, a sign of someone working on it and not knowing (or caring) what to do.

It's pretty crowded above the valve cover:

Once you remove the ignition coils, the valving, and all the hoses, the access gets a bit better:

While doing that, I discovered the spark lead to number four cylinder had melted insulation and was fused with the small clip that holds it above the valve cover.
The lead:

After I removed the valve cover, I sighed with relief. The cams are not damaged. the valves were all too tight and way out of spec. I adjusted everything to the upper spectrum of the recommended limit.

To adjust the valves, you'll need an 8mm wrench and a special tool that holds the square shaft in place. Not having the tool, I improvised - the size is the same as the square drive on Scorpion wood screws. Screwed one screw into a piece of wooden dowel, and a tool was made.
Here is a closeup of where you'll be adjusting:

With the valves back to spec, I cleaned everything off, used some RTV where applicable, and bolted the cover back in place.

Now, not really trusting the PO, I decided to take all the covers off so I could take a good look at the clutch, starter gears, et cetera. Fortunately, everything looks good:

I'm waiting for new gaskets and spark plugs to close everything up and test the motor.