Repair Vs Replace

[Phil_G]

Ok,

What would you guys 'n' gals do?


My 1997 ER5 has decided to blow its headgasket and Im in a bit of a quandry as to what I should do.

Repair its existing motor, or replace it with another.

As i see it there are advantages and disadvantages to both sides and I would appreciate some other peoples points of view.


Repair: I know the motor has good bearings in it, and has up to now run well. The clutch is good, and it doesnt burn oil. Therefore, I know that once the gasket is done, I would have a theoretically sound engine, with which i can go back to enjoying the highways and byways of North wales. I haven't let the motor overheat, so I hope that it would repair quite well.

Good: Known motor, matching numbers, no hassle of dragging dirty lumps about teh country

Down: Motor higher mileage, hassle stripping and rebuilding etc

Replace: Unknown motor. Would be lower mileage than mine is atm (55k!) but whose to say how its been treated and what sort of crash or instance caused the donor vehicles demise and what are the consequences of that within the motor?

Good: Easy and hassle free swap over, possibility of lower mileage unit.

bad: Unknowns, got to collect or hassle of arranging couriering of motor.


Any points ive missed or you feel add to either side of the argument, then please feel free to add

Cheers

Phil
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap

[Whosthedaddy]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=80892&highlight=tit+bum+fanny+wank

I got rid due to a knackered engine and I wish now that I had kept it. I was dubious of undertaking the task of changing an engine, so it went . After mucking about with the FZR, I would now say 'bring it on' . Its really quite easy to break a bike and put back together as long as you are sensible and methodical In all, start at breakfast time and by lunch, you'll be ready for a little spin

If you are going to get a new engine, try and get one that is running or heard running as you said, could be a lemon.

Buy another bike and canabolise whatever you want and will always have spares for all eventualities

Roll up your sleeves and have a go at the repair? May be a little tricky if things get messy and time / money consuming?

If you like the bike, then whatever makes you happy.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Phil_G]

thanks for the input


The bike felt like it had ample power for my modest abilities, even when it would appear to have been manifesting symptoms of failure, so I will no questions asked retain the bike, but I dont know whether I should just repair the motor it has now or replace the dead motor with a good one. that is the only quandry
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap

[iooi]

If you know the rest of your engine is sound then repair. It will be a lot less work, and you at least know waht you are dealing with, unlike a replacement engine which may have many other little faults.

But i think you already know which way you are going..
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Phil_G]

I must admit i am debating repair, and whilst there, I will redo the timing chain and tensioner.

how hard are these things to work on?
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap

[john2]

As said, if you think the rest is still strong, i would repair definitely.

[cheekythomas]

I would repair, if you buy a engine thats got 20K on the clock but been thrashed everyday of its life it could be in far worse state than yours.

Before you order any parts.... try stripping yours down.

Once youve got it apart you will know how hard its gonna be and what parts ya need... You can then decide if you feel capable of repairing it, if not youve lost nothing other than some time and then find a replacement motor.

[Zimbo]

Repair it, it's a known quantity and shouldn't cost too much.

[stu_m]

as everyone else has said repair it

you dont know if the gasket is about to go on the replacement engine not to mention the other parts that could fail

while you are repairing it gives you a good chance to givethe engine a good look over and replace anything else

also while the head is off you could re grind the valve seats set all the valve clearances etc etc

Stu

[Odie]

if you are going to change an engine because the head gasket is gone you have more money than sense unless you have major problems with the engine!
sell me the bike, i will fix it and then sell it, the job is so easy to do!
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You are so ugly when you were born the doctor said "I?m gonna drop it, if it falls is a rat, if it flies is a bat."

[cestrian]

In my opinion there is no way I would replace it with another motor. I'm guessing at £20 tops for a head gasket.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Repair, unless you have ridden it round with the blown gasket and seriously overheated it (resulting in the head being about as flat as a Quaver).

All the best

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

[Phil_G]

[Odie]

[sickpup]

How strange.

I just picked up a 49k 97 ER-5 and I have to take the head off due to low compression, probably valves.

Its a relatively easy job to do the top end on one of these so like the others I advise you just go for it.

I sell the full (pattern) gasket sets for £60 + postage if you need it.

[Phil_G]

[sickpup]

Haven't done it yet. Should hopefully have it done this week.

[Phil_G]

cool!


wont be picking it back up for a while yet, so id appreciate a heads up when you got it done


thanks again

Phil
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1997 Kawasaki ER 500 A1:- Once again, Its merely crap