Deaddog Saloon

[ahtoxa]

I have to check the repair order again to make sure whether they did or didn't rehone. I would think that the service folks know better, but I might be giving them way too much credit.

 

[ChrisJ]

I have to check the repair order again to make sure whether they did or didn't rehone. I would think that the service folks know better, but I might be giving them way too much credit.

New rings and not honing is a guaranteed failure. The rings will never seat to the cylinder.

However, more often than not if it needed rings it had other damage as well. How many miles were on it? Why was it burning out in the first place?

Do they bore motorcycle engines and install larger pistons, or just replace the head?

 

[ahtoxa]

There were 7100 miles when the top end was rebuilt. It is actually not uncommon for the KLR to be an oil burner. Mostly 2008s had the issue, but it is seen in all years. Some are minor burners and some are major. Kawasaki never addressed the issue.

Yes, motorcycle cylinders do get bored out. The 685 kit is hugely popular with the KLR crowd as the only sure method to resolve all oil burning issues. The biggest available is the 719cc kit.

Dealer won't bore out though. Kawasaki wants them to use stock parts, I'm sure. They might sleeve it, though.

One of the major reasons for some KLRs being major oil burners is out of round cylinders.

 

[ChrisJ]

There were 7100 miles when the top end was rebuilt. It is actually not uncommon for the KLR to be an oil burner. Mostly 2008s had the issue, but it is seen in all years. Some are minor burners and some are major. Kawasaki never addressed the issue.

Yes, motorcycle cylinders do get bored out. The 685 kit is hugely popular with the KLR crowd as the only sure method to resolve all oil burning issues. The biggest available is the 719cc kit.

Dealer won't bore out though. Kawasaki wants them to use stock parts, I'm sure. They might sleeve it, though.

One of the major reasons for some KLRs being major oil burners is out of round cylinders.

Why are they out of round?

 

[ahtoxa]

Why are they out of round?

That I can't tell you. There are theories of improper break-in, faulty machining, etc. Those that have major oil burning issues on the KLRs experience them from new.

 

[ahtoxa]

Unrelated note: I have noticed this winter that the heater on the Sonic is extremely hot. If I have it on hottest with a fully warm motor, it gets so hot that I can't even hold my hand near the vents.

Not complaining, just don't recall noticing that last winter.

 

[Eric Smit]

burn baby, burn.

 

[$ub$onic]

That I can't tell you. There are theories of improper break-in, faulty machining, etc. Those that have major oil burning issues on the KLRs experience them from new.

If it was a Harley it would be considered normal

 

[mitdr774]

He said burning, not leaking.

 

[ahtoxa]

Getting the bike over to the dealer this evening after work. They'll have it a few days, do a leakdown test, a compression test and will likely do an oil consumption test to see exactly how much is being burned.

I'm hoping I can get it back this Saturday - we're supposed to have a gorgeous weekend!

 

[$ub$onic]

He said burning, not leaking.

It does everything else but leak actually.

 

[ahtoxa]

He said burning, not leaking.

If it's burning AND leaking, you might want to see your doc about that.

 

[mitdr774]

My half harley only has a slight leak.

 

[ChrisJ]

In all seriousness,
If a dealer put rings in an engine and didn't hone it they would never touch anything of mine ever again.

 

[Eric Smit]

I'd have to agree with Chris.

 

[mitdr774]

I made the mistake of looking into some options for the scooter. Right now Im looking at a MicroSquirt system to convert it to fuel injection. Doing exhaust and an intake would require a carb rejetting so why not just do a little more work and fuel inject it.

 

[ChrisJ]

I made the mistake of looking into some options for the scooter. Right now Im looking at a MicroSquirt system to convert it to fuel injection. Doing exhaust and an intake would require a carb rejetting so why not just do a little more work and fuel inject it.

Hmmm.
Microsquirt for the snowblower....

 

[$ub$onic]

Hmmm.

Microsquirt for the snowblower....

Turbo would not hurt either

 

[ChrisJ]

Turbo would not hurt either

It's a Tecumseh, yeah it would hurt.

 

[ChrisJ]

Unrelated note: I have noticed this winter that the heater on the Sonic is extremely hot. If I have it on hottest with a fully warm motor, it gets so hot that I can't even hold my hand near the vents.

Not complaining, just don't recall noticing that last winter.

This is sorta how steam heat is. Radiators running between 212-218F, you can touch them but only for a second and the heat coming off is about as hot as what the Sonic can put out when fully hot.

The Sonic's water runs at what, 220F? So the air coming out is probably 200-210F.

Nothing like waking up in the morning, taking a hot shower and then getting out and drying off with a towel that was on a steam radiator. Gotta be careful where you put the underwear though, that can be a painful experience for a split second. When stacking things on the radiator you want to first put the towel, then pants, shirt and underwear on top to keep them warm but cooler than the rest.