CrackerJack, take the head and flip it upright and pour some gas in the intake port. Does it leak past the valves? Do the same for the exhaust? Does it leak?
Just a down and dirty way to check for valve seal.
It won't be valves if you have a hurricane coming out of your breather though.
It's always a good idea to do a leak down before you tear down the cylinder. That way you know what's up.

 

Noone had a leak down meter around here. I tried to purchase one and nothing. The dealership didn't even have one. I wanted to.

 

Bumped this for Majorecho & crackjack.