hi all, i was out for a ride today up a nice mountain road. the bike was running perfectly and has been for the 3 months since i bought it. However we pulled up in one section to stop at a lookout and the bike stalled as i pulled up but thought nothing of it as it does this from time to time, but when i went to go again about 10 min later the bike wouldn't turn over. When the ignition turned on you can hear the coil charge up and the iol light goes off but then when you hit the start button it won't kick over, similiar to if the battery was flat. So we tried to hill start it and under no circumstance would it turn over, it would just compression lock up. All the lights and horn etc work, so i don't think the battery is gone, and it has full fluids and oil and was serviced only 2000km ago. So yeah any ideas would be appreciated as to what it might be, or anything i can check. Thanks gibbo.
when you say hill start it did you mean run start? if so...when u ran and let go of the clutch did the rear tyres just lock up? if so...then it's probably hydro locked.....take out the plugs and crank it over a few times, lots of fuel would come out.. lol otherwise i'm not sure...
yeah i mean run start it, and the rear tyre just locks up, what would have caused it to go into hydro lock?
What gear are you trying to do it in? I'd use 2nd or 3rd if the hill was decent.... Pull a plug and take a pic or at least describe its color and "texture" (wet, dry, oily, flakey, gone)
yeah we tired it in the upper gears to match the speed of the hill, i will pull the plugs today and let you know how it goes
ok so for a lack of time, thanks uni, i just took the bike in to get it looked at. The official verdict is that the engine is ceased and the crank is damaged. I got a quote for 2 grand to put a new low k import engine in it and fix the other little things that are wrong with it. But here is my delimma, do i spend the 2 grand on a bike that cost my only 4 grand, or try to sell it for say 1500, and then upgrade to a 600, aka a ninja or r6? would appreciate any idea or suggestions about wheter to fix or upgrade?
its not that unreasonable as it has an entirely new paint job and fairing kit without a mark on it, but yeah that would be on the higher end, still the question, upgrade or fix? edit. ok after ringing some motorbike wreckers seems with a ceased engine these are worth virtually nothing even with good farings etc. Edit 2. After much thought and dicussion over the last few hours i think i am going to go ahead and get the new engine in it, then go from there once i have a running bike whether i want a new bigger one or not
For $2k or just above you should be able to rebuild yours quite nicely with a few neat mods- heads flowed, offset ground crank etc. Trouble is with an import motor they are still a second hander. The easier option, but is it the best? And how long are you planning on keeping it?
If the fairings are undamaged then they are worth like $1000+ brand new aftermarket ones. The wreckers probably just told you its not worth it because they want to buy it off you cheap! Why did it actually seize? Was there no oil in it or did you have no water left in the radiator? What a shame after owning it for only 3 months.
yeah brad i am jsut going to go with the 2nd hander, for the simple fact that i'm not planning on keeping the bike too much longer, proably just enough time to go and get my open bike licence through qride then find a bike i can trade this one in on. i thought 1600 was a pretty good price as long as it isn't in too bad nic, but the moto shop is doing it all so at least if i have ne worries they will be able to provide some support. Yeah well nightgash i thought the farings would be worth a bit too, as they are as new. As far as why it ceased it is an absolute mystery, it was serviced 2500km ago, had enough oil in it, had the right amount of oil in it, it was well maintained and only had 2700km on the clock. they guy at the bike shop said there was crank damage so i am unsure how that all of a sudden stops after no issues for 3 months of riding??
$1600 fitted is fine. The great advantage is its drop off and ride away. As to why it seized there are a number of possibilities- the oil pump losing pressure, pickup blocked, or the last owner may have even let her run out of oil and got her started, therefore leaving a nice bearing scar ready to bind with the crank. That is if its bearing seized. Just bad luck
yeah the replacement engine was by far the simplest option, which for me, with my busy shedual works just fine. yeah i will ask the mechanic if he knows what exactly failed to caus it to cease
How does he know there's crank damage without opening it up? Have you tried taking the magneto cover off and turning over by hand at the crank? (just put it in neutral, and use the appropriate sized socket to turn the big nut in a clockwise direction). Have you tried rolling it backwards in gear, then forwards again? Have you tried pulling the plugs like was suggested earlier? All of these things are cheaper than writing the bike off or paying $1600 for repairs. I'd give them a go first. And if you want, you could always part it off yourself. Front fairing cowls and side fairings are often in demand. In fact, I've got first dibs on your front subframe / front fairing bracket, if you go down this path <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s -->
