Bros minus oil?

[Dusty]

Was on the motorway today when my Bros cut out in the fast lane.

When I got it to the hard shoulder there seemed to be a fair bit of smoke coming from the engine area and it refused to start. So I pushed it for about half a mile to the next junction gave it a bit of a shake and tried starting it again. It started but did not sound good, as I was on my way to a first day in a new job I had no choice but to carry on riding it. It was running but I had to keep revving it all the time, on route it cut out a couple more times, but restarted alright on the move.

Got to work in the end, only 45 minutes late.

At lunch time I decide to stick some oil in it, but had to use car oil as the garage didn't have any bike oil. I put a litre in but the oil was still not showing on the dip stick even when the bike was upright. It lasted the journey home alright, only cutting out a couple of times and didn't smoke.

When I got back I put some more oil in, it took about another litre for the oil to show up on the dip stick, and considering that it is supposed to take less than 3 litres total, I guess I was running it nearly dry.

My questions for the tech geniuses are -

Is this likely to have permanently damaged the engine?

Is there a chance that the engine has been damaged and will seize in the near future?

Should I ride this bike at Cadwell next week or is it going to launch me into the air mid corner?

Thanks for taking the time to read this sad story.
____________________
Gallery

[Hex]

Hmm it will of probably done some damage but how much would only be obvious with a strip down.

All I would do its give it an oil change now, run it a bit drain and fill with new fresh oil again and replace the filter.

That there would be the best thing to do in my view without doing a total strip and inspection of bearings, rings etc etc etc.
____________________
The BCF's very own Party boy! Though he's getting old and feeling it!
Monkey hanger, Born and bred
My little photo portfolio

[MarJay]

Yes

Yes but it won't seize in the near future

and No

Basically, the damage that has been done, has been done and I can't see any likelihood of it seizing once it has oil in it. The period of riding without oil was the time when it was most likely to seize. That has now passed. The only thing you have to worry about is wether there are large bits of swarf flaoting about in the oil. Personally, I would take it out for a good long thrash, or perhaps a few good long thrashes and then change the oil and filter before Cadwell.

I think the worst that can happen is that you have some scoring in the bores or something.

45 minutes late for your new job? Thats not like you at all

You never know, you might be lucky and the engine is undamaged!


____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Ste]

Doubt it's done any real damage. That bike has nearly been round the clocks once, so I would reckon it's fairly bullet proof.

Drain the oil, change the filter, and keep a regular eye on the oil level during the day at Cadwell. It's not unusual for bikes to burn some oil anyway, so if it only holds 3 litres and hasn't been looked at for ages it could well have burnt a load off.

Late on your first day. oops.

[Robby]

You have damaged it, but its a tough engine. Do a compression test. If you don't have a compression tester I'll bring mine next time I pop up to G's.
Healthy on a compression test is about 110-150 psi.

[Dusty]

Thanks for the replies chaps.

Strangely it actually ran better today than it has ever run - the engine was less rattly/grind. However, it still cuts out every now and then(normally when I'm in the middle of a roundabout ) and I think the oil I put in might have kind of killed the clutch it now seems to be slipping a bit. It probably wasn't a good idea to mix 3 different types of oil, but still never mind, it got me to work (ON TIME ) and back again today so can't complain.

I'm going to take it for a thrash tonight and see what happens.

I also decided to increase the rear tyre pressure from 12psi to around 30psi, this seems to have helped the handling and stopped the rear end trying to dance while I'm going round corners.
____________________
Gallery

[Kickstart]

Hi

Most likely things to suffer damage are the big end bearings and the cams / valve gear. If you can then take off the rocker cover and have a look. The bits might look a bit blue from the heat.

If the big ends have been damaged then they are likely to start to knock soon, and then fail totally, probably taking the crank out.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Dusty]

Thanks Kieth.

If I get a chance at the weekend I'll have a look. Although engines to tend to be outside my limited understanding of 'how things work'.
____________________
Gallery

[Ste]

What car oil did you put in it?

When I used car oil in the ZX6R it was obvious that it had killed the clutch plates within a couple of miles, then it wouldn't go anywhere.

Tyre pressures are probably a good idea as well .