Bent valves

Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262586015041

Wondering why a push rod motor would, all of a sudden, bend valves? 
Push rods run off a cam. So, cam chain slipped, broke?

Not that far from me if anyones interested .

That must be uncommon but a 1940's style engine asked to perform in modern times would bring out some randomness. If it was mine I'd factor in new slugs, guides, seats, pushrods, and valves. 

An XB12R is one of the bikes I've always been keen on. Maybe not so much now 

These are just 1200cc sportster motors, so shouldn't be expensive to fix

Heat.  Too many rpms for too long; engine is unable to get rid of the heat of too many combustion events in too little time, valves overheat and the stems get soft, valves bend.

reddog wrote:These are just 1200cc sportster motors, so shouldn't be expensive to fix

Heavily modified Sportster engine, at least when they were building them; I expect that they have exported several of the Buell enhancements back into the Sportster now.

Dekenai wrote:Heat.  Too many rpms for too long; engine is unable to get rid of the heat of too many combustion events in too little time, valves overheat and the stems get soft, valves bend.

Given a flogging .................