Engine Repair – Stage 3 – 05/06/14

DISASTER STRIKES – the J1 model cam caps were the wrong ones. The holes didn’t line up and the forged areas were incorrect. Partly our own fault for not checking as thoroughly, but then it shouldn’t have been advertised as J! Immediately ordered another one, and received a full refund on the initial purchase, so all is not lost. The actual J model cam cap is now en route to us. Seems to be identical via the images. So fingers crossed it arrives promptly and is the part we need.

The top of the pistons have been cleaned and polished by the Silverback, as can be seen below. Spiffing job sir!

 

We are awaiting the head to return from the shop where it is currently being skimmed. Once this is back, the engine rebuild can begin in earnest, with new headgasket, and new rocker cover gasket going back in, alongside new plugs, fresh oil etc. Engine back in the bike, and she will then be taken to the dyno for some testing, so expect a post about that with some footage hopefully!

A big shout out to Gordon Wright, as he is now in a position to be back in the Elite 600’s fighting it out at Oulton, which is now looking a little unlikely for us. Go Gordon!

Next however, Sponsorship update – wheels are moving!

Engine Repair – Stage 2 – 28/05/14

OK folks,

This will be relatively short, as things are still ongoing. Tonight I will be picking up the cam caps, which arrived late last week but I was too busy to go get them – bad Nath. The Silverback has taken the head off the engine body, and everything is now apart. Matty will be picking up the head soon and taking it to get skimmed to ensure while we have the bike apart that it will be going back together properly. While the engine is apart, Silverback has decided to have a go at doing the shims where needed for the cams. A new prospect for him, but it provides a great learning experience at this stage for my Dad, who is an avid home mechanic, and loves to tinker.

Once this has been completed, the engine can be put back together, which will require the proffered assistance from James Wilcockson – who is a complete chief. I’ll need to find out his favourite drink, I think.

Once this is done, we can build the bike back up, and get it onto the dyno, where James will adjust the fuelling to suit and get hopefully, a little more power out of the 600.

Will keep you guys updated, for whoever is reading this!

UPDATE 29/05/14 – got a few more snaps last night, please enjoy the following:

Engine Repair – Stage 1 – 15/05/14

I get in from work, empty my bag, chuck the camera in, chuck my bike jacket on, get the bike out, grab my tripod, put my gear on, start the bike, set off – bike cuts out. Try again, bike cuts out. Sweating BALLS by this point. Turns out the spring on my side stand had popped off. Face, meet palm. I strip off gear, open garage, grab pliers and a bar, and struggle for 30 minutes against a strong ass spring to pop it back on. Finally it goes on. I set off, I arrive at the parents, I walk into the garage. And the below greets me. No help needed after all. The engine is already dropped out and under inspection.

As you can see in the image above, on the right hand side, one of our issues is a snapped lug within the head that held the left hand rocker cover bolt. The bolt is fully intact. So we believe this is repairable without too much effort, due to the area being low pressure. However, we believe due to the oil dispersal found at the time of the engine failing, that this lug snap was not solely responsible for the leak. We also believe that the leak was coming from the head. The head is coming off, and will be checked for flatness. Beyond this, we are struggling for funds for the season (ie. moving entry fee funds into repair funds) if anything else is required other than the rocker cover gasket and the head gasket to get the engine together again. This is truly racing on a shoestring!

All isn’t looking too rosy for MLR at the moment, but let’s see what we can do, who we know, and where we can get some help. We’ll get this engine sorted and get out again for Aintree on the 14th June.

If you know anyone that is adept with 2000 era motorcycle engines, and is willing to lend a hand, please let us know. Cheers!