okay, thanks for responses. I did do the compression test with engine warm, throttle wide open, both plugs out, and kicking until the needle no longer moved, so I guess the 117/120 reading I got should be reasonably accurate. And yes, I was wondering if, given the okay compression, this might be a sign of tired or worn out crank seals. I know there are 22,000km on the crank seals, as they were replaced when I got this motor secondhand, but I don't know how many miles were on the crank as a whole (bearings etc.) before I got the motor from Tyga (though they rated it an "A" engine).

So given this history, it seems I should replace the rings at a minimum. The question I have is whether I should just bite the financial bullet and replace the crank now too, or just try replacing the rings and see if that alone solves the increasingly hard starting problem. (Bear in mind that I don't like spending money before it's time, but I also don't want to save money now if it involves a significant risk of a crank failure that will take out the top end too, if you see what I mean.) Opinions on rings only versus total rebuild? Thanks.
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-Jim
'93 MC21