Folks;

not sure if this is the right place for this, but, what is the purpose of the block off plates and how do you go about doing it?

Thanks in advance.

Carl

It’s usually doneto clean up the plumbing up top there. Gives you more space, looks nice, and may give you a little bit of power.

I say don’t do it because you might/will get annoying pops and backfires.

I blocked mine off years ago.  No adverse impact at all.  No pops/backfires.

i just tapped the holes, stuck m8 threaded plugs in there, and flap wheeled the boxes down to make it easier to pull the cover out for valve adjustments. the pair system doesnt do any harm, or good. but it does get in the way during services.

The main reason I did it is to get rid of the backfire / popping on deceleration and that is exactly what it did and did it well. GONE!       The other  not as important to me  benefits are:   Easier valve cover removal and get rid of the  now  un-needed  piping/hoses .

I know this may sound dumb, but how do you go about removing the reed valves and what other stuff needs to be be removed?

Carl

i pried mine out, did all this when it was valve adjustment time.  they are stuck in there when the bolts are out.