Time to stop and execute Plan B. What was Plan B? Good question. Fortunately I was in the Bowl of Breakdowns and there was a pickup nearby with a flat tire and some sand-rails having hub problems. I approached the pickup and they needed some assistance. I offered my help if they could take me back to the truck. They agreed. Whew. I dug out under the control arm so we could jack the truck and replace the tire. Kyle and Paul were the young guys changing the tire. Their spare had serious wear where it was hung from underneath the bed, but it had air and we got it on. We loaded my bike in the back and the drove me to Ed's Truck. Thanks for the ride. The engine is making a distinct metallic clank as it cranks-- broken valve? Ugh. I haven't had the time to take it apart yet-- not looking forward to that.

6 Jun 01: The top is now off the bike and it's not pretty. One of the locknuts for adjusting the valves came off and was spinning around the inside of the camshaft area. It shear the camshaft gear bolts, cut some grooves in the wall of the camshaft cover, and spread metal shavings throughout the top-end and the ignition/flywheel compartment. Apart comes the case--methinks.