How often or when to rebuild...

[Chuck]

I don't have the tools nor the know how to do a top end rebuild on my race bike.  It did great all year but I would hate to have a failure on the track with it next season.  It doesn't have any wierd ticks or anything to mention but It's had like 40 some odd sprint races and some practice days on it and I just tend to wonder if it's time for a valve job and rings at the least.  I've always been pretty good at changing oil every other weekend, and only use Silcoline Pro 4.  I keep the filters clean etc...

I don't have the tools to do a compression test or leak down so I don't even know what my compression is like.  Do I just let it ride another year or take it somewhere?   :-/

[mdr14]

An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure.

If you have the money freshen it up.

At the very least, make a dyno appointment to see if it is down on power. That information may sway your opinion.

I don't know were you are at, But my shop is located in the Quad City area (Iowa Illinois border, I 80 travels right through it). We have a dynojet model 250 dyno here.
I don't know if we are close enough to you. There might be someone closer.

Matt

[Chuck]

Olathe Suzuki here in town has an Eddie Current Dyno...not exactly sure what model, I used it for my street bike back when I thought I was fast.  It has the air fuel sensor and the whole bit.  A 2000 ZX600R is going to be down on power, I am more concerned about loss of compression through wear and tare.

How often does the average racer rebuild is my question I guess....

[mdr14]

The average racer rebuilds his motor when it blows.

The above average racer does preventive maintence at the end of the season with fresh rings, bearings, valve job.

[Chuck]

I may have to settle for average... :-/

[Spooner]

Chuck, get that old beast down here!  We have all the stuff to do leakdown and compression checks...

-Spoon

[Chuck]

Compression and leak down tests are being done next week.  ( I have a buddy loaning me the equipment).  I'll make the rebuild call then....Nick I may need some assistance from that point, but thanks for the offer....Cafe Racer has always been very kind to local racer and motorcycle enthusiasts, can't say enough about those guys.... ;D

[pnther15]

any updates on this Chuck?  I was thinking about it too.....

Dave

[Chuck]

Yes actually...Cafe Racers Inc. in KC, MO went ahead and did the compression and leakdown for me as my other source kinda fell through.  Those guys are great...It's soooo nice to have a helpfull shop here in town for stuff like that.  Not to mention they have a nice inventory of apparel and acessories to drool over.

Leak down was under 5% across the board, my compression test was a little off but I think it was due to the motor being bone cold etc...I didn't think about getting it at least warm and oil into the bottom of the cylinders before doing it.  

The leak down doesn't lie, and so with those numbers being in spec I'm going to replace carb diaphrams (yes I still run carbs  :( ), change the oil and filters, throw some new tires on and go!!!!  Oh, and I guess I'd better send the Rear Shock off to Ryan at Lithium too...

How are things Dave?  You going to be traveling with LM next year?

[pnther15]

hmmmm... Traveling, actually I think I'll be pretty much living in that trailor this summer.  I'll be at pretty much all the events.  I'm heading up there in a couple weeks, if you want me to take up that shock I can save you the shipping....and the liabilty of shipping.  When did you last have your forks serviced?

Dave

[Chuck]

Last season...they only have about three race weekends on them.  I may take you up on the rear shock delivery offer.  I need to call Ryan and get a quote...

[pnther15]

Chuck....lets's get together and have a beer....  Maybe we can work some stuff out for next year....

Traveling??  

My cell is 590-8581....

Dave