GPZ500s Head gasket problems

[theNam]

Some of you may have seen my other post about creamy oil (Problem with my bike not something else...)
I've had the water pump seal replaced as that was bad but I now think the head gasket has gone too as I'm still losing coolant and it's not all running well.
What I'm after is how easy this is to do for the average home mechanic (average at best ) and how much a garage would charge (roughly)?

I'm trying to work out whether it's worth fixing as the bike is not worth much or I could use it as justification to go and get an 06 Fazer FZ6 that's been winking at me...

Again thanks for all your time!

[Rogerborg]

Sounds like a good excuse to sell it. Make sure you put "Honest bike, no problems. Strictly only nobheads, shifty foreign bidders and dodgy agencies need apply." in the advert to make sure it goes to an appropriate home.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[theNam]

I think thats what someone did to me...

Oh well, waiting for a quote for the work to make my mind up.

Now to justify getting a new bike instead of paying things of for my wedding...

[stinkwheel]

You'll get an engine for £200.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Probably is easiest to just get another engine (I have one if you are desperate), and they are not that difficult to swap out. However once the engine is out changing the head gasket should be easy enough.

All the best

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

[theNam]

Well that changes things... I may have to look into that...

How easy is it to swap the engine, bearing in mind I am not the greatest mechanic but I can learn easily enough! Are there guides or is is best to get a workshop manual?

Thanks

[Kickstart]

Hi

The engine is a heavy lump for what it is, but one of the frame rails unbolts to make it easy to get out and someone to help you makes the weight not really an issue.

Biggest problem is probably getting the exhaust off if it hasn't been off in years, and otherwise just fiddles of finding ALL the wires, getting the carbs back on and connecting up the throttle cables again.

From memory you need to take the coils off to get the engine out. Not a problem unless you discover this once the engine is already unbolted and you are struggling to hold it up.

All the best

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

[theNam]

[stinkwheel]

As keith says, pretty much designed to be able to remove the engine.

From memory, coils off. Undo a couple of snap connectors, undo the starter motor leads, undo the radiator hoses. Pop the carbs and exhaust off.

Once that's done, remove the engine bolts (strategic use of a car jack under the engine to relieve pressure off the various bolts as you withdraw them is helpful) and undo the removable frame rail.

The engine should just lift out sideways then. Have something handy to put it down on and watch your back, it's a heavy lump of a thing.

I removed and refitted one solo a couple of years ago but remember I'm a fairly big bloke and it was more of a deadlift using leg power.

As I recall, I stood astride the bike and lifted it up, sideways then down next to the frame on an old tyre. I put my right arm through the middle of the frame cradle and gripped it under the clutch housing and put my left arm outside the frame and gripped under the alternator housing which gave me enough room to swing it out.

In short. Easier with help, but plan your lift first. Mind your back.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.