You want a nice reliable 4 stroke you do, like a Bandit 1200

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Well, on Sunday finally got round to fitting the new rocker cover gasket to the Bandit so used it to go to the Bradford Arms on Monday night. Accelerating out of Penkridge the bugger hiccuped and died on me, so I coasted to a halt. It turned over very quickly on the starter, but pushed next to nothing out of the exhaust. Decided the cam chain had probably snapped so called the RAC at 8:22. Called them again at 9:22. Spoke to them again at about 9:50 and was told it would be another 60~90 minutes. Rang them again at 11:22 at which point they had lost any record of me calling them in the first place. They spent ages faffing round and then a recovery contractor called me at 11:50 (while I was still on the phone to the RAC) to get decent directions as he had JUST been called. He finally got there at 12:10.

Tonight I started to pull the bike apart to find out what is wrong. The cam chain is still there, but all the valve clearances are measurable with a ruler (about 2~3mm). Checked the cam timing and it is one tooth out. Looks like the cam chain has jumped a tooth and then the valves and pistons have met. Looks like a head rebuild at the minimun, and if I am unlucky probably pistons as well. Also the cam chain tensioner looks like it is towards the end of its adjustment so it will need a new chain, and to do that job properly means an endless chain from Suzuki and a complete engine strip to loop if over the crank.

Wonder whether I get a bulk discount for ordering a complete set of valves for a 1200 Bandit.

Moral of the story is stick to nice reliable 2 squeaks (and at least they are cheap to repair), and dont trust the RAC to do anything in a hurry.

All the best

Keith
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WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 20 Mar 2002 Karma :

jesus man

really sorry to hear about that :(

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

damn

sounds like the sort of problem i'd get (bikes hate me)
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02 Firestorm.

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

Only bikes??? Wink

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Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Korn · Admin Joined: 01 Feb 2002 Karma :

Bad luck mate. Still, you've got the other 7 zillion bikes to ride while you fix it up Laughing

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Keith but your bandit has done like a million trillion zillion miles hasn't it??? Laughing

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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

Doddmaster · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I think he said it has about 30k miles on it.

Sorry to hear that Keith mate

If the AA claim on your insurance, and the RAC take 4 hours to arrive, which breakdown recovery service should I use Question

Scooby · Scrappy Doo Joined: 26 Mar 2002 Karma :

Just don't brake down. Or use direct line like me Very Happy

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A big enough hammer fixes anything!

Doddmaster · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Actually I got RAC breakdown assistance free with my insurance. Lets hope I never have to call em!

If I have a local breakdown, I will tell my dad to call a mate with a van for me!

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

I had free breakdown cover with my last insurance policy, it was through a company that id never heard of.
First time I called them i was at uni, I went home to get the number and call them and when i got back to uni which was about 3 miles away they were waiting for me!!
Second time was also from Uni and they turned up within 15 minutes again!!
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Well, the bike has done 34000 miles, but a cam chain should last far longer than that. The one on the FZ750 has managed to last 66000 miles

Rang up Chells, the local Suzuki dealer. Inlet valves are £12.35 +vat and exhaust valves are £20.46 +vat, so a full set (which I suspect it needs) will be £308. Add to that the cost of a gasket set (about £100), new cam chain (about £50) and probably numerous other bits and it gets expensive. If it has damaged the pistons and valve guides then the bill will be frightening

All the best

Keith

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sorry to hear about your experiences Keith... Sad

But as Korn says, I'm sure that you won't be stranded without a bike Razz

And McJam: that breakdown company was sooo good, that you didn't bother remembering the name of them!? Confused

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TiN
dotgems.net

tanner18 · Traffic Copper Joined: 13 May 2002 Karma :

it happens to the best of us ... literally
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inline 4's rule

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

M1ke · Ped Boi Joined: 11 Jun 2002 Karma :

At least you can do it all your self keith Smile

A garage would charge a fortune just to tell you what was wrong with it!

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Maybe, but I am going to have a bugger of a job getting the exhaust off (here comes the Dremel) and probably have to get the inner bolts drilled out and maybe helicoiled

All the best

Keith
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Dylan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sorry to hear about that keith, 4 strokes really are abitch when they go wrong. Crying or Very sad

If you need any help, well ime afraid your gonna have to ask yourself!
Well, to use your own phrase
all the best Very Happy

Dyl

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Dyl, Ive already offered my services as a helper/watcher/engine catcher.

Maybe I should have a digi-cam to hand as well to document the adventure for the forum/posterity.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

Dylan · Trackday Trickster Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

It might be quite funny to see the oracle find a problem he couldnt solve!!! But actually i really hope it gets repaired as cheaply and easily as possiable.

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Doesnt seem likely tho.

Easy would be a new engine at £650. Mind you, if all the valves are buggered then that could be cheapest as well. Shocked

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Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

I'll happily devote day to dancing around with a spanner/large pointy stick getting in everyones way under the pretence of being an extra pair of hands....Just let us know Keith and Col and I will run to you rescue with our boundless knowledge and expertise!!

(at making coffee.....)

Bad bad bad, Sorry Keith.....bad luck
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

if you go dont forget your camera's Razz

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02 Firestorm.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Thanks for the offers of help. Engine catcher might well be a very useful job (as it is a heavy bugger and has to come out of the frame sideways).

Spent last night trying to get the exhaust off. Nothing holding it in place now except its own bloody mindedness.

Engine should be fairly easy to get out as there are just a few wires and 4 engine mounts.

All the best

Keith
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