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Decision time - what would you do?

Discussion in 'FZR250.com - Archives' started by Crouton, Oct 27, 2005.

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  1. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    Long story short:

    Bought Greeny's bike June 14 2005 for 4500. (1992 3LN-3 at 23K)

    Spent 300 getting carby's adjusted - bike is running sweet.

    July 30 and 2500 km later, engine develops a buzzing noise that degenerates into a loud knock.

    Drop bike into mechanics on 5/8/2005.

    Mechanic opts for $1300 engine which has a 1000km 1 month warranty if he fits it but I choose to supply my own from another wrecker on eBay for $850. ( <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: --> ) - I found out last week that the $1300 engine would fit mine perfectly and had top end rebuild <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->

    Two engines later (one had dodgy gearbox) and 1000 dollars in mechanic fees, (500 to fit each time) I have the bike back (today)

    I renew the rego tomorrow.

    I am glad I have it back now but it has been a comedy of errors getting it fixed and I recognise thats its mostly my fault that it took so long to get it back.

    I am up for my full licence in August next year.

    The questions I would ask are:

    1. Could enough oil blow past the rings over 2500 km to force a low oil condition even thought my oil light never glowed when it starting making the noise (thats right, I was checking the oil level incorrectly <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: --> ) - no oil was ever left where the bike was parked

    2. I have the old engine here - should I strip it down and look for the failing part to identify where and why it failed (mechanic said it was a big end bearing)

    3. If it breaks down again, would outlaying another 1800 (engine for 1300 + mechanic fee 500 to get the warranty) be foolhardy. The repair time would be closer to 3 weeks and not 3 months this time and only if the mechanic ever wants to see my face again.

    4. I weigh 119 kg and in my opinion gave it a hard time - should i lose weight and baby the bike or buy a gs500?

    If anyone has been in this situation or has any suggestions I am all ears.

    Flamings fine too.

    Cheers
     
    Crouton, Oct 27, 2005
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  2. Patske

    Patske New Member

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    shite that's some hard luck you got there crouton. I thought I had a bad run when I bought my fizzer. Sorry to hear bout all this **** mate. This is Greeny from Oroads aswell's bike yeah?

    If you've got the engine there you might aswell strip it down and try and find the problem. If anything you'll learn abit about it and/or how shifty mechanics can be.
    Now that its' running personally I would sell it and let someone else inherit any problems and just buy a diff bike if your keen and have the money.
    Fizzers are exp to fix and often have problems, mechanics also hate working on em. Luckily my dads a mechanic so any problems I've had I just come on the forum check out what ppl think then get to work on it with my dad.
    As for loosing weight, that's not an issue man the bike shouldn't cark it.
    From what I heard Greeny's bikes suspension was pretty ace, he had it done by zeno. (confirm?).

    It's your choice to take the risk and keep it. Once you buy a heap of **** it's hard to give up on it though as I found out lol.
     
    Patske, Oct 28, 2005
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  3. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    Hi Patske,

    Thats the bike.

    Just for the record, I was extremely happy with the purchase and do not hold anything against Nathan (greeny) whatsoever.

    The mechanic I took the bike to is a legend and I trust his opinion inherently.

    The painful part is that the bike was off the road for months and the cost of repairs does not guarantee troublefree riding until off my provisional license.

    The rest of the bike is quite good and yes Zeno has waved his wand over the suspension.

    I know what you mean about not giving up on the bike but I personally feel responsible for it fukking up and would give it another chance if I knew that the engine would last with proper care and attention.

    Q: Sell the bike

    Pro:
    Got the bike for top end red book with all the zeno work and goodies
    Have spare engine that may be fixable
    Enjoyed every minute spent on the bike
    I feel the bike died due to negligence and lack of care (something I can address personally)
    Cosmetically great

    Con
    "New" engine history is not known
    Done $6800 down the bike - could of bought a 2003 gs500e for that!
    Is something else about to go?
    Have to ride bike close to home (cbf'd breaking down on Central Coast again)
    Selling the bike will necessitate buying a new one which will give me a coronary
     
    Crouton, Oct 28, 2005
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  4. outer

    outer New Member

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    **** happens bro,
    My opinion- Big end failure is just the result of a lack of oil, I reckon you understand this.
    The reason it lost it's oil could be due to the piston/bore seal.
    It could also be as simple as a valve guide.
    If you have this engine on a bench, and you feel up to the challenge, can't hurt to do some failure analasis and open it up. Worst case senario, you have a box of bit's you might get $50 for on E-bay.
    Or, because the crank and at least one con rod is FUBAR.
    Why not try and find a 400 crank and rods and make the beast bigger.
     
    outer, Oct 28, 2005
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  5. TiMBuS

    TiMBuS New Member

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    yeah, if you got an old engine, and the spare time to tinker, why not open it up? You could learn one hell of alot about the bike - maybe even rebuild the engine yourself and see how she goes. Heck, then you could use the engine as some kind of high powered coffee grinder.. or as one of the best go-karts ever!

    Or I'll take the motor... If you don't want it.
     
    TiMBuS, Oct 28, 2005
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  6. Ciaran

    Ciaran New Member

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    The way I see it is you have paid all that money and now it is time to make it worth your while, keep it and ride it at every chance. You will never make that kind of money back by selling it, not now not ever. If you keep it in good nick it should hold its value fairly well for 12 months and then you wont need to go through the hassle of selling and buying.

    I played with the thought of selling my bike after I had fixed a whole lot of stuff after buying, but I chose to keep it, one of the best decisions I ever made.

    Although their is allot to be said for being able to trust your bike to get you home, physically and psychologically.
     
    Ciaran, Oct 28, 2005
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  7. ACE

    ACE Active Member

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    I love my fzr and it's not going any were. I spent 6 months of hell on my TS185er and my CB250rs so I have some bad luck storys to because I did not spend the cash. Keep on trying
     
    ACE, Oct 28, 2005
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  8. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    Thanks for the replies

    I took it for a ride tonight.

    It did not have the same zap I remember it having and the throttle's responsiveness was "scary" (not in a good way)

    Anyway, the bastard started playing up and it eventually stalled. Almost depleted the battery getting it to start again but when it did it was OK but stalled again 200 metres from home.

    The mechanic was tetchy about giving the bike back in such a state of tune (which he admitted to). He stated that I might need new carburettors <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->

    The bike is unrideable / unsellable in its current state so I am going to put it in for a tune up.

    My brother suggested Bikebiz (PARRAMATTA) but I dont care as long as it gets sorted out.

    Have trailer and willing to travel.

    Any suggestions?
     
    Crouton, Oct 28, 2005
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  9. outer

    outer New Member

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    No offence, but your mechanic sounds like a bit of a ***** to me.
    His charming banter certainly seem's to know how to open your wallet.
     
    outer, Oct 29, 2005
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  10. Ciaran

    Ciaran New Member

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    You won’t need whole new carburetors. They probably just need a tune. Ask some of the Sydney people for mechanic that they trust with the fizzer. Find a mechanic that has had experience with tuning the fzr250, some wont even touch them because they have no manual. As long as the tuners are good they will sort it out.
     
    Ciaran, Oct 29, 2005
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  11. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    Took if for a spin today.

    Have developed a love / hate relationship with it again especially after washing it.

    Found a solution to the flooding problem:

    It will start no hassle but only with the throttle pinned open at full and continuously after that.

    If I turn off the fuel supply and let it run like that for about 1 minute, it will rev out again.

    @outer: I don't blame the mechanic - there was work backed up that earns far more for less effort. In actual fact, he tuned them to some degree but stated he didn't like giving me the bike back like that and didn't charge me for the carby work.

    My friend witnessed the flooding problem today and he suggested Bikebiz too as they have been voted best Yamaha dealer and they do up and flog these bikes (at ridiculous prices)

    Will keep you guys posted.

    Cheers <!-- s:-| --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_bike.gif" alt=":-|" title="Bike" /><!-- s:-| -->
     
    Crouton, Oct 29, 2005
    #11
  12. FZR Dude

    FZR Dude New Member

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    Hmm.... have him check the float levels, then sync. the carbs.
     
    FZR Dude, Oct 30, 2005
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  13. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    I rang em em tee and they said they wouldn't take the bike after relaying the fact it was a 92 fzr.

    Anyhow, gave Bikebiz a call and off the bat quoted 3-400 to strip down to carb and troubleshoot.

    $150 for orings if needed.

    Taking it down there on Saturday.

    If they do a good job of this, I will probably purchase my open licence bike from them.
     
    Crouton, Oct 31, 2005
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  14. outer

    outer New Member

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    I'm sorry but what kind of a fuckwit does this???????

    If I handed a customer back a piece of equipment and said " it nearly works" How long do you think I would survive in business???
    Somebody either fixes something or they cant.
    And a competent time served auto mechanic shouldn't be fazed by a carburettor.
     
    outer, Oct 31, 2005
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  15. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    I think I have found out the go.

    The engine currently in mine is a different model to what was in it.

    The oil filter is in a different spot for starters and there is now an idle adjustment screw located near the oil fill.

    I read on another thread that the carburettors are different between the 2KR and the 3LN.

    Do you think Bikebiz will be able to make the current carbs work with this engine or will they quote me on "new" ones from the wreckers?

    I am watching the dollar signs wizz past my eyes at the moment <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt=":(" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->
     
    Crouton, Oct 31, 2005
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  16. Ciaran

    Ciaran New Member

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    When it comes to tuning the FZR250 carbs it can become very time consuming and a pain in the arse. That’s why they said $3 - 400 off the bat. It is hard to get them just right and often it is a case of close enough and onto the next job. Bike places around my way have more work than they know what to do with. Sitting around fiddling with the carbs on a 250 isn’t high on the priority list when they can make more money for less work servicing a new bike.

    Just about any mechanic who has a boss that is more interested in making money than loyal customers, not that the two Yamaha workshops in town gives me much of a choice. Most mechanics are competent but don’t have much experience working on the FZR250 either.

    The $150 for o rings is a bit steep though.
     
    Ciaran, Oct 31, 2005
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  17. Ciaran

    Ciaran New Member

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    They may be different but they do the same thing. As long as they fit and are tuned to the new engine it shouldn’t make a difference as far as I can see.
     
    Ciaran, Oct 31, 2005
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  18. koma

    koma New Member

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    Just out of interest, what happened to all of the old bits that were supposedly 'dead'? If i were you, unless you were working on a swap-over price with your mechanic where he gets to keep the old bits, i'd be wanting those bits back!
    Engine, carbs, whatever it is... you bought the new ones... and your still the owner of the old ones!
     
    koma, Oct 31, 2005
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  19. Crouton

    Crouton New Member

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    I bought and supplied this engine to the mechanic

    <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Yamaha-FZR-250-3LN-Motor_W0QQitemZ4563072903QQcategoryZ35233QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting">http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Yamaha-FZR-250-3 ... otohosting</a><!-- m -->

    The mechanic declined it based on the gearbox.

    The original carbs and running gear are on the bike now and the original engine is in my garage.

    My friend and I plan to strip it down when he finishes his thesis.
     
    Crouton, Oct 31, 2005
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  20. grendal

    grendal New Member

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    Sorry to hear about your experience mate. But I have to agree with the other guys, your mechanic sounds like a bit of a dick. Ive never really heard of just 'replacing' the carbies. And of course, unless you do a bottom end...there really isn't a need to replace a whole engine..such a waste...

    I reckon your mechanic is just scamming you for money. For a decent mechanic...carbies are carbies..and they dont take that long to do. I never had any problems tuning mine.
     
    grendal, Oct 31, 2005
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