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Discussion Running in new engine.

Discussion in 'The Pub' started by Murdo, Feb 23, 2019.

  1. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    My Bike:
    1937 Royal Enfield 250, CF Moto 250 V5, Honda's XL250, CBR250, FT500 plus a few others.
    A distant relative of mine wanted to buy a Honda XL500s. He found a deal on evilbay and went to look. He was told the engine had had a $1500 rebuild at a bike shop and had not been run in. He bought the bike and trailered it home. Next weekend was a club ride and he took his new purchase. He rode sedately for 20Km out of town and thought 'it must be run in by now' so gave it full throttle for the next 20Km to catch up to the group. He just caught up as it locked up, leaving a long skid mark on the road, and was able to pull the clutch and roll to a stop. After cooling down it turned over and started again but was sounding like a handful of marbles in a jam tin. He rode very slowly home with a blue haze following like a two stroke. It has been sitting for three years in his shed until he asked me to help. I've taken the barrel off and shook my head at his stupidity (which he agrees to) and this is what I found.
    MC-14  finished 019.jpg
    Scored barrel with alloy from piston 'welded' to cylinder.
    MC-14  finished 017.jpg
    Other side.
    MC-14  finished 025.jpg
    Head gasket was starting to blow too.
    MC-14  finished 023.jpg
    Have ordered new piston and gasket set and will be back to see the re-borer again.
     
    • Bummer Bummer x 3
  2. Murdo

    Murdo The Good Doctor Staff Member Contributing Member Ride and Events Crew

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    1937 Royal Enfield 250, CF Moto 250 V5, Honda's XL250, CBR250, FT500 plus a few others.
    I have my doubts about the $1500 bike shop rebuild too. The cam cover had been sealed with far too much black silicone which could have found its way to blocking an oil feed.
    MC-14  finished 015.jpg
    And who would replace the domed head nuts with industrial flanged nuts? You can see how the self locking 'teeth' have chewed the copper sealing washers.
    MC-14  finished 021.jpg
    Lots of other little stuff makes me think this wasn't done by a shop.
     
  3. Andych

    Andych Moderator Staff Member Premium Member Contributing Member Dirty Wheel Club

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    1987 Yamaha SRX250, Honda 1974 SL125 K1, 2022 Triumph Tiger Sport 660
    Not sure on the XL Thumpers but the early SOHC Air cooled run much tighter bore clearances than many bikes.. especially if compared to British Bikes.. and they do need to be run-in.. lots of people with more knowledge than me recommend only Mineral Oil while running in as well..

    Geez... just saw the next lot of pics... if that was done by a bike shop... they should be named and shamed..
     
  4. Frankster

    Frankster Grey Pride...Adventure before Dementia Staff Member Premium Member Ride and Events Crew

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    That wasn't done by a bike shop...that's a home hack and a good serving of steaming BS.
     

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