I was on ebay looking at the Vietnam double cut front fenders. I see different prices and wonder if there is a quality difference and how they compare to Yamiya.   Any recent experience?

Has anyone actually seen the carb body with a fingerprint in the casting or is it an urban myth?  If real what carbs had it?

 I'll attempt to post some pics, when they download to google. I have two 1970 unnumbered replacement engine cases. Both have the 10 bolt clutch cover, one has the added bolt (3) in the sprocket area and smooth painted cases, the other has a coarser texture that looks just like 5511, a thin frame around the blank number pad, 3 punch marks, and only two bolts in the sprocket area. Both have casting numbers within the hex like a die cast engine.
 I know it isn't a true "sandcast" but I can't help wonder if they continued using the early process to make the updated engine type for a short time. There is a clear difference in the castings.

 One of these engines is destined for 14,100 It's a resto mod, keeping it's Lester mags, the exhaust is still undecided but it should make a nice bookend to 5511. I would love to know how to read the dates in the casting numbers.

 During a recent conversation it has come to my attention that I probably don't have the correct upper brake hose for 5511. There was an over length hose on it (tall handlebars) when I bought it and I bought new Honda bars but I believe I put on the best used brake hose in the shop at the time.

 5511 I believe had a rubber cover but would the top end fitting be straight or curved? and where best to get one? 

  I bought some sandcast and diecast engine parts recently and while repairing some fin damage I've noticed the very early heads have softer aluminum that bends easily without cracking. This metal appears similar to later heads like the K5 head I repaired that had bent fins with no cracking. In between, there are heads that are more brittle, these fins snap off rather than bend.
  The difference that I can see is, the brittle in between heads have vertical strengthening pins that protrude through the lower fins. The softer metal heads have the pins cast into the fins and are smooth on the underside. I see the protruding pins on 5511, my early k1 and late K1 heads, The non protruding pins on a #500 era sandcast head and K2/K3 and up. These types may have been used at the same time too I don't have any other serial numbers to check.  I have two no center bolt heads that have the protruding pins.

 I have one of each of the two types of heads to use on 2695, I'm not sure which is correct of if either could be OK.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290996335823?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT


 It's been on ebay forever if it's short someone should buy it. not great shape but usable I'd think.

 The day I got it, heavily modified and parts swapped with a k4.

 

 Later that week