| Author | Message | ||
     Jlnance |
Just curious. When the engine wears out in a bike, what does it cost to rebuild it? | ||
| Oz666 |
As much as you are willing to spend! Seriously, how "worn out", which parts are worn? Upper end work (piston(s)/rings/barrel(s)) is/are fairly inexpensive, if you do the labour yourself (easy). Cams are not too hard either. Lower end work is a little harder and may require machining. Remember NOBODY does more conscientious work on your bike than YOU!   Oz "Nobody gets in to see the Wizard. Not nobody, not no how." | ||
| Lake_bueller |
Depends on what you want/need; how much you're willing to do yourself; the parts you use; etc, etc, etc. I did a complete top-end last year. The scope of the work included cases bored .10 over with new pistons & rings, complete James top-end gasket kit & head work (3 angle grind, new sets, bigger valves, new spings). The cases were done in Appleton H-D/Buell. The heads were done by Hoban Bros. Without having all the receipts in front of me, estimated cost was approx. $700. Good luck with your build  | ||
| Jlnance |
Good luck with your build Thanks. I'm not rebuilding one now. Just trying to get a handle on the future. | ||
| Road_thing |
Old saying: "Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?" rt | ||
| Bomber |
Jlance -- it really comes down to planning (as my recent adventures so clearly illustrate) . . . . there's two approaches 1 figure out your performance goals, research combinations of parts that'll get ya there, and see what that'll cost Two figure out what you can afford, research what that'll buy ya, gasp, have a beer, and do some more research best tip I can give ya is to settle on a vendor (dealer, or any one of the hi-perf supporters of this site), sit down and have a heart to heart, and then follow through by purchsing the parts or work through that vendor again, learn from the mistakes I made during the build up of the MaDeuce, and make NEW mistakes of your own ;-} | ||
| Firemanjim |
Be realistic about what sort of performance you want/need then do research about combos that will get you there---reliably. And as Bomber said,talk to the vendors/shops you are planning on working with for some good advice. Kinda one of those"How much ya got" questions. I am afraid to even think the price for my new motor as my wife may be reading my mind and then I would be sharing the doghouse. | ||
| Jlnance |
I'm learning, thanks for the info. I should be more specific with my question. I understand these engines don't last forever. What exactly wears out I don't know, but people with over 100k on their bikes have usually done some engine work. I'm guessing it's generally rings, valves, and piston replacement. Thats what I'm asking about. When the engine "wears out" whats a ball park cost to get it rebuilt? | ||
| Doerman |
Jlance. I have a worst case scenario for you. I had a total engine failure due to a failed oil pump (I was not paying attention). The top and bottom end needed to be rebuilt. I took it to the dealer and had it done for $2,300. A | ||
| Glitch |
I took it to the dealer and had it done for $2,300. Was that the total bill? Labor is what, $80/hour at a dealer? What was the cost of just the parts? Jim, you could do as I'm planning to do. I'm planning on re-freshing my engine. Mild head work, most likely through Cycle Rama. New cylinders 1050cc. Remus re-fueler. That's about it....hopefully. I'm going to buy the parts a few at a time, and set aside the cash for the head work, and do all the work myself (with a little help I'm sure) at the Barn. I figure at 50,000 miles on her now, it'll be ready for a refresh by winter time. | ||
| Doerman |
Glitch said: I took it to the dealer and had it done for $2,300. Was that the total bill? Labor is what, $80/hour at a dealer? What was the cost of just the parts? That was it. It was an S1 that I took into Bartel's in Marina Del Rey. If I remember correctly, the parts were only $400 or so. Most of the work was disassmbly/assembly and machining work. They did a great job. Ole Elvira runs great. Asbjorn | ||
| Glitch |
They did a great job. Ole Elvira runs great. That is exactly what counts  |
