Newbie with dead 'storm....

[Cutter]

Hi - new member and in a bit of a bind with my 'storm so apologies but after advice already . Cut a long story slighty short, 29K on the clock, bought manual CCTs but before I could get them fitted front pot went, very loud clanging noise. Have spoken to three mechanics - my regular who said it was likely to only be the cam chain if both pots were still running - take it to Galea's who specialise in cam chain in situ. 2nd conversation was with Tony Galea himself - very helpful and he's been in the business a long time. Who said he could have a look for a reasonable sum, but he seemed to be of the mind that it was likely to be worse than just cam chain (possible bent valves, guides damaged etc etc). Total cost potentially 600 or more when you look at labour and parts methinks. I then spoke to Bikers Realm owner, again very helpful and well informed on VTRs, who said he felt it extremely unlikey that there wouldn't be expensive damage and recommended getting engine off ebay and he would put it in for 350 squids, within the returns period in case of problems.

So as engines are between 200 for one with no provenance, and up to 550 for a warrantied for a month job with half the mileage of mine (althouugh I may be on to a decent one for less than that), I am looking at potentially 700 - 800 quid to get back on the road. That's whether I go the repair or the replace route. My shed has a Ducati project in mid-flight in it and my sons scooter in bits and I can't see me surviving a third stripped vehicle in there or I would attempt myself.

Just wondered what people's opinions were on repair versus younger engine swap. Bikers Realm would include valve clearances and fitting my manual CTTs as part of the job.... Or should I venture 100 odd on seeing how bad it is when two out of three think it's bound to be bad?
Cheers.

[benny hedges]

first off, post up your location....
you will have bent valves, maybe nothing more than 2 exhaust valves and a possible bill of £80 and a bit of work.
there are guys here who can do the job blindfolded, and others who have spare engines lying around.

weigh up your options.
say you bought a replacement engine for 200 notes.... you could either fit it (yourself or with a bit of help.... or get the garage to do it for an arm & a leg.
then split your old engine on ebay.
gearbox £60
timing cover £30
clutch cover £60
starter £60
rear head £75
flywheel £30
crank & pistons £100
sensors £more
and other bits, ie oil pump, water pump, clutch etc. you can easy get your money back.

you could just strip the head off yours and send it off to uncle tony.mon for a refurb....

dont write it off yet - bet youre kicking yourself for not fitting the manuals lol

[Cutter]

Appreciate the quick response. I have just put an offer in on an engine but a lot of what you are saying is still very relevant! And yes, I am now extremely agile when it comes to applying size eleven to my own rear quarters. In my defence, the little bike shop I like to use cos the guy is an ex storm rider and a nice mechanic wouldn't fit them because his boss didn;t want to take on any big engine jobs (I know I know) and it happened while I was trying to sort out what to do next...

[blacknek]

hi there,

I had the same problem when the front head went pop....bent all the valves...so thought different engine, or repair but i got a diff engine.... it was 8000 miles less and did it myself to change, 2 days to start the new engine, still got the old engine and will fix it up soon but i can ride the bike....I got the ctts done yesterday, a piece of metal between the plunger and plunger head.

so if have the time and its less money, do the head.......but like benny said you can sell off parts if you change the engine...

ed

[Cutter]

Thanks again! I have now purchased a 2005 engine with 11,000 on clock. So at least, all being well, it will actually be an improved bike not just a fixed one . My mate BB1961 is also on the forum and has been asking advice for me and received reply with good advice and possible better price for fitting. I am still weighing up doing it myself but time, hassle, space etc etc. Picking engine up on Saturday. I do love the bike so now getting quite enthusaistic about having new younger lump in it!

[Cutter]

BTW my location is North London near Finchley area. I think the forum member who is talking to my friend BB1961 is Tony.mon.

[benny hedges]

still weighing up doing it myself but time, hassle, space etc etc.

ah, space. the final frontier.

tony is the mon

[tony.mon]

BTW my location is North London near Finchley area. I think the forum member who is talking to my friend BB1961 is Tony.mon.

Yup. It was me.


Myself, I'd have pulled the head off first to see what damage there is. Only a couple of hours work and if it's just two bent ex valves on the front head then you'll have it back on the road for about £125 for parts, plus any labour cost if you don't fancy it yourself.
Replacing the head is not a huge job, even with retiming and setting all valve clearances it's a day's work all in. Rear head is even quicker.

Overall, even with the engine you've now bought I'd suggest doing that first- you could then still resell that spare lump.

And no, it probably won't be any quicker than your old engine, they don't wear much as they're so understressed. Even a bit of bore wear won't make any difference to power output, as the leakage past the rings is too slow to actually lose gas pressure at medium to high revs.

If you old engine was running ok prior to the cct letting go, stick with it.

lastly, Benny, you're about on the money with those parts prices but they're not going to sell this time of year- I have a garage full of bits at the moment, and nothing's selling- even the guy with a pair of cylinder heads for £70 the pair couldn't sell them, and I haven't seen carbs or cranks sell for ages. Even starter motors aren't shifting.

Clutch covers, yes, same for plastics, complete engines maybe, but not much else likely to sell, even at silly money.

[benny hedges]

Myself, I'd have pulled the head off first

you do love your v twins don't you