Cost of a non-running engine?

[James83]

In a bid to get better at spanner twirling, I've been thinking about buying a cheap non-running engine, striping it down and rebuilding it, learning how to do it as I go. I don't expect the engine to be working when I'm finished, this is really just to get some experience in stripping an engine as I've never done it before. As such, I don't want to spend serious monies as it may well go in the bin afterwards.

So, how much, realistically, should I be looking at for a basic, 'all parts present, but not necessarily running' 50/125cc engine? I had a poke about on ebay and I'm mostly turning up classics which are in the hundreds of pounds.

[Sam_Y_93]

Had you have posted this last week I would've been able to help, I've just sold a non running vfr400 engine for £50
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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[J.M.]

Don't limit yourself to a 50/125cc engine. A GS500 engine is very simple to work on for example, but they can be a little pricey to buy. But don't limit yourself to any specific engine... just buy anything common such as an inline twin or an inline four.

I'd recommend buying an engine that's in 1 piece rather than already disassembled, so that you can see how things are as you remove them.

You'll also need to grab some tools when working on a 4 stroke engine. Whilst not absolutely essential, there's a large clamp type tool (that I can't remember the name of) which is useful for compressing the valve springs to remove the collets.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[James83]

Cheers guys.

I mention 50/125s simply on the assumption that they are cheaper. If I find a larger engine is cheapest, I'll be grabbing that.

re tools - part of the reason for doing this is to see where my tool kit is lacking, so anything like that will be picked up as needed.

Found a 125 monkeybike engine with gearbox issues for £40 delivered. Will keep looking, but that's the best I've found so far.

[map]

[J.M.]

[_Iain_]

If you can get to my parents house before the weekend, on the drive you'll find a corsa 1.2 engine & box, and a gs500 engine minus head. You're welcome to help yourself to either
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[331X2]

I wouldn't bother with a pit bike engine as they're a bit simple. Get a twin or four if possible, download a workshop manual and then strip and rebuild it using correct tolerances and torque settings. You'll learn a lot more that way than stripping something then binning it.

[331X2]

I wouldn't bother with a pit bike engine as they're a bit simple. Get a twin or four if possible, download a workshop manual and then strip and rebuild it using correct tolerances and torque settings. You'll learn a lot more that way than stripping something then binning it.

[Wonko The Sane]

I've got a ZZR 600 engine that's had an overhaul and re-build that's going spare for £120


probably more than you were looking to spend tho.

is it worth buying an old, worn bike that needs some tlc and re-building it, that way, if you do it right, you've something fun / to sell at the end of it?
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[James83]

Thanks, but £120 is a bit more than I'd want to spend. Plus, it would be a shame if I fucked up an engine that had just been overhauled.

I've considered buying an old bike as a project, but I'm aware that it will cost more to do than I can then sell it for, which means buying a bike that I would want to keep after I'm done, renting a trailer to get it home etc etc. If I can find something really pretty for a really good price, I might consider it.