DRZ400 second Hand Engine or help for labour needed

[Ares]

Hi there

Ive taken my Suzuki DRZ 400 to a garage and they confirmed theres a problem with the top engine, they dont know why but just opening it would cost me 100 quid, probably around 700 to fix it. My options are either to sbreak the bike and sell it or to buy a second hand engine.

Does anyone know anyone whos got a second hand but working engine for sale?, or,even better, Anyone who,can help me fix it if I buy the parts? What would you do in my position?, would you break the byke?

Thanks a lot.

Alberto

[Dave]

Off the top of my head I can't think why it would cost up to £700 for a top end rebuild.

So, your best option which you didn't think of is try a different garage that A. doesn't say 'we dont know what the problem is but itll probably cost the best part of half a monkey!' And B. specialises in dirt bikes for a better price.

What are the symptoms of the bike?

Top end is valves, shims, cams, cam chain, rings etc...

There would need to be a lot wrong for it to cost SEVEN HUNDRED POUNDS. This is a Suzuki we're talking about.

Anyone wanna chip in? - I'm no expert

[Stewie]

That's would be the price to replace all the component parts of the top end, with the labour, so there giving you the top price to cover any outcome, and the £100 to have a look is just the labour.
Which garage did you go to.
Would have to know more about the symptoms, but it will be cheaper if you can get the lump out yourself, have you done a compression test.
There's not a lot to the top of a single cylinder lump, but if you put it together wrong, you'll have a very big bill, as said try a few other garages.
Whereabouts are you based.

[nostinkinbadges]

I agree, the top end of a Suzuki single isn't THAT complicated.
I once bought an XR250 really cheap because of the noise coming from the engine.
Turned out to be the Cam Chain Tensioner was broken and the chain slapped against the barrel at certain Revs
Easy fix and I'm no mechanic.
Last weekend I was at The Festival of a 1000 bikes and you should see the way those bikes many of them 50yr old singles are thrashed, and I mean really thrashed around Mallory Park.
Those Guys just rebuild them knowing that if the worst happens it's no big deal.
Is it smoking or burning excessive amounts of oil ?

[Ares]

Off the top of my head I can't think why it would cost up to £700 for a top end rebuild.

So, your best option which you didn't think of is try a different garage that A. doesn't say 'we dont know what the problem is but itll probably cost the best part of half a monkey!' And B. specialises in dirt bikes for a better price.

What are the symptoms of the bike?

Top end is valves, shims, cams, cam chain, rings etc...

There would need to be a lot wrong for it to cost SEVEN HUNDRED POUNDS. This is a Suzuki we're talking about.

Anyone wanna chip in? - I'm no expert

Hi Dave, thanks a lot for the help.

Mechanic seems honest, its black dog motorcycles in Staines, where I work, I live in Reigate. They said 700 including chain and sprockets, they think its top end but without opening they cant tell, if the bottom end is also damaged itd could get,ugly, they also said that new parts are very expensive.

The bike uses oil, but does not smoke much, apparently normal when you drive them hard whick I did not know this, once I checked the oil and there was no reading in the dip stick, maybe I damaged it there...

Any dirtbike garage you recommend?

Thanks,

Al

[Ares]

That's would be the price to replace all the component parts of the top end, with the labour, so there giving you the top price to cover any outcome, and the £100 to have a look is just the labour.
Which garage did you go to.
Would have to know more about the symptoms, but it will be cheaper if you can get the lump out yourself, have you done a compression test.
There's not a lot to the top of a single cylinder lump, but if you put it together wrong, you'll have a very big bill, as said try a few other garages.
Whereabouts are you based.

Hi Stewie, thanks for your help. Went to black dog motorcycles in Staines. Have not done a compression test. Symptoms are mainly noise, very shimmy and rithmic, like valves knocking, also it uses oil but I think they use if you drive them hard, which I do. No aparent loss of power or anything else. I know this bike is very noisy, perhaps its nothing too bad. id give it a go at dismantling it but dont know what Im looking for there... Shall I do it and tKe the pieces to the mechanic?

I live in Reigate and work in Staines, happy to teavel for a diagnosis

Thanks,

Al

[Ares]

I agree, the top end of a Suzuki single isn't THAT complicated.
I once bought an XR250 really cheap because of the noise coming from the engine.
Turned out to be the Cam Chain Tensioner was broken and the chain slapped against the barrel at certain Revs
Easy fix and I'm no mechanic.
Last weekend I was at The Festival of a 1000 bikes and you should see the way those bikes many of them 50yr old singles are thrashed, and I mean really thrashed around Mallory Park.
Those Guys just rebuild them knowing that if the worst happens it's no big deal.
Is it smoking or burning excessive amounts of oil ?

Hi mate, thanks for chipping in. Id give it a go at fixing it but dont know what bad looks like, maybe the piston is also affwcted... It uses a bit of oil, nothing too crazy.

Cam chain tensioner is a known issue with drzs too, the automatic one it comes with over tensions the chain and it splits. Not sure itd be the problem as the previous owner repaced it for a manual cam chain tensioner, apparently it needs no adjustment afterwards and also, the sound is very rithmic, if it was the cam chain wouldnt it sound like rocks in a can?

Cheers,

Al

[big yellow tractor]

The manual cam-chain tensioner needs throwing away and replacing with the late version automatic version. I know of a few cam-chains that have been prematurely wrecked by over-tightening the manual one. Have you never adjusted yours ? if not, do it now you might be really lucky, and that's all your noise !!!!!!!!!

If I were you, I would go to a reputable and recommended workshop and let them do the rebuild. If you buy a second-hand engine, there's no telling how good it is unless you are able to thoroughly check it running in a bike. Surely you'll pay close to your rebuild costs for a second hand lump anyway.