How hard to "rebuild" an older engine?

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stryped · #1 Unread post by **stryped** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:19 am

Is it difficult to "rebuild" say an early 80's engine? What is involved in it? Can the cylinders be bored like in a car? Do they even need to be?

Gadjet · #2 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:55 pm

Get a manual for the bike (Clymer's, Haynes, Factory), get your tools and workspace in order, and go for it.

Yes, the cylinders can be honed and rebored if need be, but check to make sure that if you rebore to a bigger size you can get the appropriate pistons and rings first.

#3 Unread post by **Skier** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:15 pm

Wiseco makes a lot of aftermarket (bigger) pistons.

Also, you may be able to overbore then sleeve the cylinders to use stock sized pistons.

sparky · #4 Unread post by **sparky** » Mon May 28, 2007 5:40 pm

I just today finished rebuilding the engine on my 81 yamaha 550. I had a clymer's manual, and got all my parts from bikebandit.com. Local machine shop did the work on my cylinders, and the rest just took a little time and patience, but was overall pretty straight forward.

stryped · #5 Unread post by **stryped** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:45 am

sparky wrote:I just today finished rebuilding the engine on my 81 yamaha 550. I had a clymer's manual, and got all my parts from bikebandit.com. Local machine shop did the work on my cylinders, and the rest just took a little time and patience, but was overall pretty straight forward.

How much did it cost you? How far did you get into the motor?