you should replace the piston and rings for sure, just for piece of mind or at least measure the piston to see if the skirt is worn and do the timing chain while its apart,that way if you keep it or sell it you know that the bike is in good condition,i did the exact same thing to my bayou. that was a good little bike.mine was an 87

 

I know that you can't spend a gob of money on the engine, but if everything doesn't check out you may end up spending more money in the long run. For about $200 or less you will have a top end that you can feel confident with. Take the cylinder to a machine shop and have the bore checked for out-of-round, taper and overall diameter. If everything is within tolerance, hone and re-ring the thing and put it back together. If it isn't in tolerance, spend the money and be safe. I for one, wouldn't trust that piston.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Well, the only reason I am still hanging onto this is because the tranny is good. No stripped gears and it shifts good. I almost bought a running Suzuki 185, but it was in the back of someone's truck when I got there. But, I like this Bayou more.

 

It may never tear up. You could roll the dice and try it. If you aren't going to be out anything, then try and use it. Like sammydog said, it may run for thousands of miles.