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When to say When

1066 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  awd86




I've been working on my project '79 cx500 for a few months now and I only have a couple free weeks left. Bought it for $200 off a farmer who said it'd been sitting in his barn for 2 years, but it hadn't been registered since '98. I made sure it wasn't seized before I bought it (learned that lesson the hard way on a seadoo).



Before I started spending money on the bike it had to run, I wasn't overhauling the engine. After a basic carb cleaning and fluid change, it ran on one cylinder at about 1100 rpm. The clutch was free so I rode it up the driveway into the garage, where it remains. I've replaced the brake MS, pc'd the tank, replaced the front tire, added the ignitech ignition (b/c I thought the module was preventing one cylinder), and most importantly - completely overhauled the carburetors.



After the carbs were finally done (switched for a, '81 pair), for the 8th time, it would run for 5-10 minutes at a time with the choke on. Yeah, I know it was lean...but no amount of fiddling with the pilot/float/jets/needles/air filter/air leaks/etc would fix it. In fact, I had the pilot at the richest setting that wouldn't kill the bike immediately. This 5-10 run time was the best it'd been, but it would always die b/c the spark plugs would fowl with oil and gas. There was also a considerable amount of white-blue smoke from the left cylinder (nearly none from the right-the heat of the exhaust confirmed that both cylinders were firing). When I drained the oil, it was a little cloudy, thin, but not milky. The coolant still looked new.I pulled the heads (sts) and found only minor slop in the valves. I got new seals, but I'm going to measure the guides and probably not replace them.



Theres the setup, long story




So heres the issue: The RH cylinder (the one that WASN'T smoking) is very pitted. I don't know how to post pictures or I'd show everyone. I can only find one OS +0.25 piston and set of rings online, but I'm afraid it might take more than that.



Can I just go OS on one piston? Can I resleave this cylinder? Should I scrap the engine/bike? I'm already up to $800 on my $500 budget and the person I'm building for decided she'd rather have a vespa (hssss).



Any ideas?
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I got my engine for 100 , and it came with a crappy frame!



I think you should get a newish engine, open her up, do the triple bypass, and call it good.


Find a good motor for $100 to $200 max. If it is a parts bike OK.



I would imagine with the effort you have some emotional attachment to the current bike.





I bought a CB550 and have more than $500 and I'm just now turning attentions to the front brake system.

Needs new lines and a caliper rebuild. MC has been rebuilt...



BTW, if you paint the MC use the brake caliper paint and while it's apart bake the painted MC so it is fully cured. Result is a brake fluid resistant coating.



I knew I bought a project bike and I knew I would have more in it than if I spent $1200 on a good running one.

My patience wasn't deep enough for the saving $1200 and I wanted a project as stress relief. I don't work on it when I'm upset.

I have another bike I can take on a ride if I want to have a stress relief... Or I go to the arcade or range and put little holes in paper targets.



$235 on Bridgestone BT45 Battlax tires (165), mounted & balanced ($50), new rim strips ($2), new IRC tubes ($18) (I think spending money on tires is a life saving investment and want excellent traction in wet and dry...)

$70 on a set of better rims as the spokes and chrome rims were not so nice on mine...

$30 newer better condition seat

$60 carb rebuild kits

$30 rear grab bar and signals

$65 engine guards for the cases

$40 points & condensors

$40 MC rebuild kit and hone

$35 new ignition & seat lock

$45 new speedo & tach as mine were seized

$75 new braided lines

$170 ($85/ea) drilled & surfaced dual rotors

$25 new plugs and plug caps

$50 rustoleum paint job



So, if I faced a engine problem I would not hesitate to change it.



David
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