VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

vfrdave · Post by **vfrdave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:36 pm

I'm looking for a general opinion before paying out a shedload for a repair the bike may not need.

The story is;

This VFR400 NC30 was owned by a guy before me for 7 years, used at the weekends etc.
I purchased the bike on around 22,000km.

From June this year I have done 19,000km and the bike is now sitting on 41,000km. It was serviced when I purchased it, and had a check over in August, all seemed fine.

Late october, I'm out on the bike and it won't start. Battery is flat.
I bump start the bike, ride home and leave it for a day or two. Still wasn't starting. I figure it needs a new battery (and possibly something electrical meaning the battery isn't getting charged). Regardless, I purchase a new battery, fit it, look forward to a days ride, and nothing, bike won't start.

Leave it for a week, get in contact with a local bike repair shop who now have the bike. They say that either, one of the valves is damaged, or a piston is damaged. Now, the quote for the valve repair is around £50. But the piston is £400-500.

The bike showed no signs of problem before it wouldn't start, and has been fine all year. A lot of the mileage has been commuting to and from work (60 miles a day round trip)

My question for you guys is, does a damaged piston sound resonable? Obviously it could have happened over time, but I was fairly sure that the VFR engine was bomb-proof and things like this were hard to manage.

Should I be getting a second opinion on the damage?

If I am going to be getting quoted £500 odd to repair the engine, I may bite the bullet and take the opportunity to take the engine out and rebuild it myself.

cheers
Dave

Post by **viper_biker** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:58 pm

OMG!!! That sounds like a bunch of gangsters there fella. This has the tell-tale signs of a knackered regulator. £60 fix and if you are capable of removing the seat then you can go it yourself.

Post by **CMSMJ1** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 6:59 pm

Sounds like they are taking the piss. The piston is an easy one to check - take the heads off and look...doesn't cost too much to look..

If it is a piston, then I'd expect that it made friends with a valve and smashed its head in...so valves too...

Nothing to do with electrical issues at all though - prob got a duff generator or a burned loom/dead reg rec..

Where you based? Maybe one of us could have a look?

You can buy engines from £150-300 on the bay..and replacing one is not too tough for the dedicated mofo..

vfrdave · Post by **vfrdave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:05 pm

I have thought about the engine rebuild, the only concern I have is the lack of skill.
I was going to sell this, but I now realise that I can't as it has been such a joy to ride. As such I will be doing a full conversion to the tyga kit (which may take me a while, but will be worth it imo)

I am based in essex. Would be much obliged if someone has some time to come have a look.

Cheers,

Dave

Post by **Riley** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:19 pm

Hi Dave sorry to hear you are having trouble, if your engine is goosed I have an engine for sale which was last run 4 weeks ago before the bike will split for parts http://www.400greybike.info/newforum/vi ... 17&t=14409" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; , shameless I know

.

vfrdave · Post by **vfrdave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:28 pm

Thanks. Not convinced I'm going to go down the road of a new engine just yet.
Will keep it in mind though

Post by **w00dzy** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:41 pm

Sorry to hear about your problems..Where abouts in essex are you?

I do have a spare reg/rec for an nc23 if its any good? not sure if they are the same...

Essex is a bit far for me.. but if no rush could probably drop by if Im working in the area..

vfrdave · Post by **vfrdave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:45 pm

There isn't a great rush.
At the minute its in the shop, but they are clearly in no rush to do anything.

If they fix it and it is just a sticking valve, then I'm quite happy for them to do it.

Its just if they say its the piston and I need to be paying hundreds of pounds when, to be honest I don't see how it could have happened.

Post by **mick.mh2racing** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:59 pm

viper_biker wrote:OMG!!! That sounds like a bunch of gangsters there fella. This has the tell-tale signs of a knackered regulator. £60 fix and if you are capable of removing the seat then you can go it yourself.

Exactly what I would have said. Were they wearing masks?

vfrdave · Post by **vfrdave** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:03 pm

These guys were recommended by a mechanic my uncle uses (who apparently is abit crap anyway)

I'm defiantely having doubts.

I'm not that experianced with mechanic stuff, just also quite the skeptic and I honestly thought, it was going to be either battery or reg/rec problem.

I just don't know what to do with it

VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

Re: VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston