Did a little work on the 18 horse prepping it to go into the 950, and made a goof. On the 980, the exhaust system has a reducer that screws into the head. Those have to come out to accept the exhaust setup on my 950. One came out easily, the other was a real pain.

I wound up having to cut the adapter and weld something to it to get a bite with a pipe wrench. 20190514_071840[1].jpg
With an 18 inch pipe wrench and a 24 inch cheater pipe and a lot of grunting, it finally moved.

I then realized the engine would not turn a full revolution after I removed the exhaust adapter. A little BB size of metal from the welder made its way into the combustion chamber. So that goof cost me a head gasket, but I was pleased to see the condition of the cylinder:
20190514_071909[1].jpg

Finally, I have a problem with my choke cable. As I ride it vibrates into the choked position, so I have to bump it back open every once in a while. I fashioned a little spring to solve that problem:
20190514_071747[1].jpg

Of course, none of this puts the 980 any closer to being on the trails....