So start with a little history on the bike its a 03 has been sitting for about three years I got the bike with no spark and no compression so first thing was replaced stator now spark is fine, then carried on to do the top end with all honda oem parts get it all back together and time it but the bike still has no compression. I adjusted the valves to .002 still no compression. I now have took the head back off and looking into the intake and exhaust ports looks pretty rusty on the valves but they are moving freely. When i put the head up to a light and look threw the ports I can see light threw the valves does this mean there not seated properly? Any info on my low compression issues would be great Im newer to working on the 4 strokes have always done 2 strokes in the passed thanks for any help! Might also add that the old piston had the rings seized rite into it so could this have possibly bent my valves? thanks

You could try lapping the valves in by hand, or you might want to find a motorcycle friendly machine shop. Most automotive machine shops can't / won't cut seats suitably for a motorcycle engine.

If I read that right, then yes you should not see light through the valve. That's a big gap. You need to change the valve.

think im just going to go with a used head seams to be the easier option at this point thanks for the replys if anyone has a head pm me!

the valves might just be rusty on the surface. you can smooth them back down if you are patient and have the tools to take the valves out of the head. i have personally never done it, but you basically put a special polishing compound (lapping compound) on it and smooth the surface.

Thanks for the reply I found a video a tt member put on youtube Im going to tear the head apart today and see if I can get these valves sitting better

Usually guys will check valve seal by pouring some gas or mineral spirits into the intake runners and then look for leaks on the cumbustion side. If you can see daylight past the closed valve, I'm guessing it is bent. After you remove the valves, roll the valve stem along the edge of a table so that the head is rotating in space. If the valve head wobbles at all, the valve is bent.

If the valves are bent, but the seats look good, compare the cost of a couple of valves with the cost of that used head you were looking at. That might help you make a decision.

Valves are bent could barely push them out they have alot of wobble to them, my exhaust seat has alot of carbon built up on it but the seats look good what is the best way to clean this off? Looks like the valves are about 60$ for both so id still consider a used head if someone has thanks

If you decide to buy new valves, get some valve lapping compound too. You can use it and the new valves to clean up the seats.

This is an automotive application, but you can see how well these seats cleaned up just by lapping in the new valves:

Before Lapping-



After Lapping-



Hope this helps.

Looks great ill make sure to do so and post back after the parts are in thanks!

Cool, I'm looking forward to hearing about your successful repair!

You can NOT lap the valves on these bikes...they have a coating on them. You can lap the seat with an old valve then install a new valve. It is common for the intake valve to wear out before the exhaust valve, the intake valve is made of a softer metal. I sell NEW intake valves on Ebay...

Thanks for the offer but already ordered both valves can anyone confirm not to use the new valves to lap the seats? Been reading lots of people saying do or dont thanks

Listen to the guy who sells them. I knew that some of the valves for bikes had a coating, but didn't think it would be on the XR80 valves. I was apparently wrong.

the softer metal on the intake valve would explain why my xr had super tight valve clearance! i guess the valve stretched a bit.

Got the motor back together today I used the old valves to lap the head and got them nice and clean bike fired right up after a few kicks thanks everyone for all the help