| Author | Message | ||
     Briggs888 |
So riding home today and I down Shift to pass a car I run her up to about nine thousand rpm then pop and almost no power as I coast to my street she stays running no oil leak and no metal noise. She seems to be running on one cylinder. So I take her apart and the throttle body boat is off. I put it back on and it starts back up but runs like crap and is missing every third fire or so only on the front cylinder and almost like backfiring and poping. I have checked the spark plug and it is clean the rear is carbon covered. The coil seems to be working also. So do I still have a leak or possibly another problem. Also no codes. | ||
| Briggs888 |
A few things I forgot its a 2008 r with 15000 grins an ebr ecm and d&d pipe . Also if I rev it in neutral to like 5000 it runs smooth it seems. I just adjusted the valves 3000 miles ago. | ||
| Ohsoslow |
is the CEL on? | ||
| Briggs888 |
No cel I am stumped I tries the carb clean trick for an intake leak but nothing. | ||
| Briggs888 |
Well I torn the valve covers off and found a broke rocker arm or whatever you call it in theses motors. Also found one keeper and the saucer thing still can't find the other keeper or the shim really not happy but could be worse I guess. Anyone know what I am in for on this nice project. I am way out of the factory warranty | ||
| Cptncreme |
Well could be pretty bad. If the keepers were gone and the retainer also, then the valve probably dropped and is bent after hitting the piston. So if you just replace the broken parts u can see, chances are it will still be running bad. Hate to be the bearer of bad news. Good Luck with it! | ||
| Briggs888 |
Yes I agree although the valve does not look bent and no evidence of hitting the piston I know it is thousands of an inch that can ruin a motor. So I am planning on replacing it or paying for someone to since that might be behind my mechanical skills. Just sucks money is already tight then this happens to a bike that I am in love with. However I will fix it I enjoy this machine to much | ||
| Briggs888 |
Update. I fought will hd service today to try and get any help they were as expected useless. So I carried on with my plan and removed the engine from my bike. Which by the way does not seem easy although it did go smooth. I still am unable to locate one keeper and the shim. I ordered all the parts today which include the rocker keepers a intake valve seal and head gasket. My only concern is are the head bolts one time use only or can I reuse them? Any tips or advice would be very nice this will be my first overhead cam removal so I am nervous | ||
| Briggs888 |
I would also like to add that a stupid head gasket cost $55 Wtf | ||
| Two_seasons |
Follow the service manual. Absolutely make sure you take lots of pictures, for you...and us. Keep us posted as you progress. | ||
| Spike240sx |
Best of luck to ya. Take lots of pics and report back on progress. | ||
| Zac4mac |
You HAVE to find the shim and keeper. If either one gets in a balancer gear or the cam-drive you will have a nasty explosion. I dropped a shim in the motor last time I did the valves. Searched for 3 days with arthroscopic viewers so I didn't have to split the cases. Finally found it between the cam-chain and a drive gear.   Might as well deck the heads for a little more compression and power while you're in that deep.  Z <edit> the bottom pic isn't my motor, it's one that was getting a water pump rebuild at the shop. (Message edited by zac4mac on June 21, 2011) | ||
| Briggs888 |
Zac where can I get me some of those. I agree I need to find both I figured I would look and fish a little every night tor them. I would love to deck the heads but I am only pulling one head off so that will probably not be happening. I really just want my bike back and running normal. | ||
| Two_seasons |
In layman's terms, they are called "bore scopes". We use them at work for alignment and "scoping" out CT tube inserts to avoid cutting them open after TIG welding. You'll find the keeper and the shim eventually. Patience is your friend Dan. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
Bore Scopes - review length and dia of probe... hi-tech electronic type - low cost for it's type (Harbor freight/Made in China) http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result? q=bore+scope more conventional type like the ones in the pix above (Mc Master-Carr, industrial hdwre) http://www.mcmaster.com/#borescopes/=cugkyv Remember: Gravity always works - Have some patience(and good luck) | ||
| S21125r |
To drop a shim and recover it like Zac did is one thing, but I get the impression from your first post that you ran the bike for a little bit while trying to diagnose. Although you stated you didn't hear any "metal noise", it's possible that you already have other hidden damage if the keeper/shim made a trip through the balance gear or cam drive. You'll have a better idea of overall damage when you find the missing pieces. And as Zac said, you HAVE to find them - they didn't vaporize, so they are bound to find a final resting place not suitable for your wallet. Bore scope is probably the first place to start, but also suggest dropping the oil/filter/and screen to see if you can find any traces. | ||
| Briggs888 |
I am looking into the bore scope as we speak I think it is a great idea. I know I need to find them. I have already checked the screen filter and both plugs. This is turning into a night mare as I can home today to look some more and was greeted by my dad who has just informed me he knocked the engine off the cart with the tracker. So now I get to tack on a valve cover and gasket o2 sensor and oil cooler. This is just what I have found from a first look. I get the feeling I am never going to get this bike together. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
talk about salt in the wound!! | ||
| Zac4mac |
Briggs - First thing, get the manuals, there are 3 in the set. Factory Service Manual(FSM), Electrical Diagnostics and Parts. Be slow and methodical, keep your work area clean and undisturbed. You CAN do this. Z | ||
| S21125r |
Another good practice is to drop nuts/bolts in plastic bags and throw a sticky note in so you know where they came from. For covers and such that may have longer/shorter reach bolts of the same size, it may help to trace the cover on cardboard, and punch holes in for each bolt. You CAN do this! I don't have specific tear down experience with the Helicon yet, but have done my share on other bikes. Follow the cookbook (service manual) and remember "right tighty, lefty loosey" (except axle bolts!). When in doubt, ask the forum. | ||
| Briggs888 |
Ok time for another update. parts are in so tomorrow I.will pick them up after school and Friday I should begin. My friend is coming to help he went to that motorcycle school in Florida and he is bringing his friend who is a tech at a big four dealer. I have the service manual and have begun reading the steps. It seems things are starting to turn around. I also got the valve cover and gasket off eBay for thirty bucks which is cheap compared to the dealer. Also another friend is fixing the oil cooler as a favor. Only thing left is the o2 sensor which do I need that since I have the race ecm? Either way it can wait I guess. Thanks everyone for advice and encouragement this is an intimidating job and it helps with the positive reinforcement.  | ||
| Briggs888 |
Here is the deal I found the shim and keeper. Valve is bent in an S bad. Also the valve guide is broke and valve seat is pretty beat up. So I found a used motor on eBay for whit a grand I am on the fence about fixing this one or just buying a drop in one. What do you guys think ? | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Seems to me that, if the valve is bent that badly, then the piston should be replaced and the connecting rod is suspect as well. And you yourself said there was some damage to the head: how much will that cost to fix? The bottom line is, anything can be fixed -- the question is, when does the cost of parts, machine work and labor begin to outweigh the value? It's up to you, but if I only had so much time, and summer had just started, I'd use my time to install a complete motor, not take apart a broken one. In my experience, once you start down that road, before you know it, the riding season is gone, you've spent more money than you expected, and you're burned out from too many late-night hours in the garage. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck. | ||
| Briggs888 |
That is the way I feel although the marks on the piston from the valve are very very minimal. I would guess they are in good shape. But I am worries still and I just wanna ride. But I will call on the motor tomorrow and also on the head and see where it stands. I am almost tempted to build up the broken one over winter and just slap in the used one. But I have to weigh all options and appreciate your imput and any others to help me make the best decision with what I have. I wish you guys could see this valve I am surprised it bent this much with such little marks on the piston. Keep the imput coming I can really use it and I have especially the bore scope idea from Zac. It helped me find the missing pieces which were lodged in the plastic cam chain glide and never made it to the bottom. | ||
| Therealassmikeg |
I've had very good luck finding the few parts I needed posting in the "parts wanted" classified section. There always seems to be someone that has what you need. If you follow this thread you'll see this guy is going all out. I bet he's got a lot of the parts he would be willing to sell.. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/158 664/626675.html?1302618326 That being said, you could end up spending over 1000.00 to rebuild. This guy has a spare engine for $750.00 and he's a Badwebber Michigan isn't too far for a road trip.. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 637215.html?1308106664 Hope this helps you... | ||
| Briggs888 |
I hope it helps too I pm'd him and posted on his ad. I also started a thread in the parts wanted section. Thanks for the help and pointing me in a good direction. I just got back from the dealership and they don't sell valve guides so I might have no choice but to buy a new motor. (sigh) nice day out too here in michigan. Sunny and high seventies today. | ||
| Two_seasons |
http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2008-BUELL-1125 R-98452365 Located in PA...$3500 Maybe be worth a look and then you'll have spare parts too. | ||
| Two_seasons |
(Message edited by two_seasons on June 25, 2011) | ||
| Briggs888 |
I like how they say light cosmetic damage and you can see a big dent in the frame/tank. Something to consider I might be able to part it out too and make back some of my money since I would really be tapped out after that purchase. | ||
| Briggs888 |
Anyone know how to contact buell101 I sent him a pm and posted in his ad but I see he has not logged into the system in about two weeks. I would love to buy that spare motor off him. |
