Read me motorcycle mechanics

I don't know if this is the correct topic for my thread but, I'll wing it out and hopefully get the info I need. I was driving my 90 Viffer 750 today and after about 4 hours of riding I was clipping down the highway at about 110mph and I noticed the bike getting sluggish and loosing power. I let off the throttle gave it a shot again and then it basically crapped out on me and didn't sound too healthy, so I pulled it over and noticed oil dripping from the front of the bike underneath the headers (not what I wanted to see) so I tried to turn it over and all I heard was a clicking from the ignition, the starter didn't even attempt to turn the crank over, just a clicking noise. I checked the oil and she was dry (I'm a busy guy wasn't even thinking of changing my oil or even checking) yes stupid me, you live you learn. I also smelled a mixture between oil and coolant. Anyways, has anyone had this problem or know what I'm talking about? If so any suggestions on what the F*** happened? I'd appreciate your feedback. Thanks

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Sounds like its time for a new engine or rebuild.

 

yah I figured that, new engine wouldn't be an option.. rebuild sounds like a cheaper deal if that is what;s wrong with it. So by what i just told you what made you come to the conclusion of new engine or rebuild? have you seen this problem before?

 

You either:
A- blew the head gasket
B- siezed the engine when she went dry
c- the motor ate it self (piston disintegrated and chewed the valves on it's way out) when it went dry

I have experience with C, but not because of lack of oil. best way to find out how bad it is: remove the oil pan. you'll be able to look up inside and see what's what. post up what you find.

 

I agree with the other comments. I don't profess to be an experienced mechanic, but it really doesn't take one to diagnose this problem:

1) Engines will not run without oil.
2) You ran out of oil at high RPM.
3) Engine seized up.

Most of the bearings (main bearings, crankshaft bearings, cam bearings, etc), the crankshaft, the cams, the pistons, the valves, the cylinder walls, pretty much every internally lubricated component is most likely damaged. What components weren't damaged from lack of oil could well be warped from excessive heat.

 

that smell blown head gasket, caused overheating and combined with no oil, running at High RPM, engine seizure. didn't you notice engine temp?

Blown Headgasket $35.00 + labor
Seized Engine $1500.00 approx
Valuable Hard lesson you learned about basic Motorcyle maintenance---- priceless
Finding all the parts to rebuild 17 yr old honda engine-- May be impossible
Not to be too hard on you bro
you should do a walk around on your bike every time you get on it
check tires,oil coolant,brake fluid levels.
Some of us push the envelope when we ride these things and at 110 MPH a catastrophic failure could get you killed or maimed for life.
Just something to think about. Glad you are OK. looks like a engine rebuild.

 

Pulling your TLC Card for lack of maintenance

I find it ironic that you have chosen to post under the "maintenance" forum when you have chosen to perform no maintenance. :loco:

As the Founder and Supreme Commander of the VFR Tender Loving Care (TLC) Club, I decree that your VFR TLC card is immediately revoked. you'll need to lick your bike clean, kitty-cat style, to show your love and concern over the well being of your VFR prior to getting your card back. :biggrin: Please post pictures, so that the club membership can laugh, er confirm, the bathing behavior. pay especially close attention to the areas around the exhaust.

Yeah, maybe this could go under mechanics garage?... but even then it is worth more in parts? Other less busy folks may have extra time to buy the parts that are not ruined. Post the parts under http://vfrworld.com/forums/buying-selling/

 

I wish this was a joke. Poor bike.

 

Parts to look at are anything that moves. Crank, rods, pistons (and cylinders if scored too deep to bore), cams and chains, valves, all tranny gears and shafts. Look for any galling at metal to metal contact points. Finding a donor motor may be a cheaper option.

 

thanks for the feedback guys... I just drained the oil and at least 3 liters of oil drained out, however I looked at the coolant and there was no coolant to be seen.. So there was definitely oil in it? unless there wasn't enough?

 

If the oil looked ok then it probably overheated and siezed the pistons. Check the heads for warping, and if they're ok then just overbore the cylinders, slip new pistons in and run it.

 

If you oil pressure switch is functioning properly, then you would have had an oil light while riding it when it seized- if it were low. since you reported no oil light then you should be good on the bottom end. but then again when you disassemble the motor for the bore and head work you will find out what shape your whole engine is in.

 

yah it's funny.. I didn't notice the oil light come on when it started loosing power on the highway.. but I immediately let off the throttle, geared it down and pulled over.. the engine shut off while i was still driving down the highway.. as soon as I was pulled over the light was on and it wouldn't turn over.. then I noticed the oil leaking from the front end.. so i checked the oil and it didnt register on the dip stick.. and then when I drained the oil at least 3 liters drained out of it.. this all happened within 40 seconds from when I noticed it acting slugish to me checking the oil whne I had it pulled over.. I tried to start it and i could just here it clicking from the battery not turning over at all.. and even when I drained the oil i didnt notice any filings in the oil...

 

Have you tried to start it since it has had time to cool off? I've seen bikes overheat, lock up, then start and run fine afterwards. It is a long shot, but you may not have as much damage as you think. You'll still have to figure out what caused it to lock up, and where the oil is leaking from. Good luck.

 

yah I tried to start it since but, it doesn't seem to be making any effort to turn the engine over.. maybe I might have blown a fuse in the ignition.. because whenever I turn it over it just makes a click coming from what looks like a relay next to the battery.. I hope it's something as simple as that.. the oil leak could be from an external hose as well.. might have built up so much pressure and leaked from a hose.. but that's just a theory that can give me hope from buying or rebuilding my engine lol

 

Put the bike on the centerstand, put it in high gear and see if you can turn over the engine by turning the rear wheel. This will tell you if the pistons are seized.

 

Yah I did as you told although I put it in 6th and got a buddy to give me a push and I could smell fuel but it wouldn't kick over. I also put new oil in it and it didnt seem to leak however, while taking out the oil filter I noticed some filings in the oil is this normal? and what are some more options before taking it to the shop>?

 

Use a can opener or tin snips (NOT A SAW) to cut the oil filter open. Look in the folds of paper inside for metal "dust". Should be very little or no metal "dust" in it. If there are a lot of "sparklies", engine may be toast. If you find chunks or flakes of metal, call the undertaker.:violin: :sorry: uke:

 

no chunks or flakes just very little metal dust.. that may be from the saw though haha.. any other suggestions on getting my true love to kick over before I start paying the price?

 

Pull the spark plugs, drip some oil in and see if it'll turn over. I'll say it won't because the pistons are partially fused to the cylinder walls. At this point you need to pull it all apart and see what needs to be replaced. :frown:

Even if you could get it to turn over, you'd probably just ruin whatever was left of the motor because the pistons are scrap now.