Neal wrote:Strip the heads and barrels , check both sides to make sure they are perfectly flat on plate glass . If not , rub them down . Use blue marker to highlight any problem areas . Refit and look for bubbles in the radiator while the bike is running , bubbles are bad .
About the sealant , some swear by it while others swear about it . Use some grease on the base gaskets so that they don't stick as much to the casings .

Is it necessary to strip the barrels as well, or can the head gaskets alone be done? Or are you also suggesting I take everything off and check (and rebuild) it all while I am there?

I think I will fit a rear head to the front cylinder if I have it in bits. Can anyone tell me if an R rear head will fit on an SE barrel? Will squish be affected?

Cheers