Ok, heres the deal, mercdude is going to sell me his engine from his bike. The engine has 30k on it and says it runs like a dream. I'm taking a lot of time talking to people about this, I'm really in need for the spring and the price he's offering is very very good.
Do you think that this would be a good deal. THis is by no means a question of mercdudes integrity, I just want to make sure that this would be a good buy. How well do these engines hold up, should i be looking for any major problems. He told me it was owned by an older gentlemam before he bought it, and before his accident. The guy took great care of it. I'm just a little apprehensive because of the mileage.
If anyone has any advice, please speak up, I will be listening with open ears.
Thank you for your time.
Derek
We don't see too many GSes retired due to engine failure. I'm trying to think of all the engines here which have needed replacing. Tourmeister's died when it ran out of oil. There are at least three people here who have had stator magnets shatter, but I didn't think it has cost any of them their engines (except you, if Goats Syndrome was the cause of your cracked block). Generally the engine on the GS is not one of the parts you need to worry about. Most GSes seem to be retired after crashes, not catastrophic failure. I'd say that you were really, really unlucky.
One thing to watch, is that some engines may burn more oil than others, especially at high RPMs. You can put many miles on a GS with very little drop in oil level; then you do some "spirited riding", carving up the canyons in 4th gear... and find that you need to add oil after only a single tank of gas. So I would recommend checking oil with every tankful of gas, until you get to know your next engine; then before every ride after that (remember "T-CLOCS").
ANYONE ELSE????? :dunno:
imho 30k is a little high. I would question mainly how much oil it used/is using. I know srinath's bike has 46k+ and drinks oil like there's no tommorow..
so I dunno. if it was a good price, I would do it... otherwise I'd pass
One thing that I have been doing a little research on is the effects of left side engine damage and the relationship with "goats syndrome". From what I have found...basically hard damage to the left case cover can cause cracking on the inside of the case cover. In turn this leads to misalignment of the stator and magneto. This causes the two to wear and eventually failure of the stator.
Even if it does burn oil, the cost of replacing the rings and valve seals is fairly inexpensive.
Not sure of the life of a clutch but it may be something to watch.
30k isn't too horrible. If it's a good deal price wise. The only concern is oil usage, but a motor with 10k can suck down a quart in 500 miles so it's a crap shoot. But the 30k part isn't that big of a deal really.
Quote from: johna motor with 10k can suck down a quart in 500 miles so it's a crap shoot.
Definitely a crapshoot. I have 21k miles, and have never had to add oil in-between changes. I have about 2k miles since my last oil change, and oil level has dropped from the right edge of "F" to the left edge of "F". But I think I got lucky with my GS.
Quote from: dgyverOne thing that I have been doing a little research on is the effects of left side engine damage and the relationship with "goats syndrome". From what I have found...basically hard damage to the left case cover can cause cracking on the inside of the case cover. In turn this leads to misalignment of the stator and magneto. This causes the two to wear and eventually failure of the stator.
Even if it does burn oil, the cost of replacing the rings and valve seals is fairly inexpensive.
Not sure of the life of a clutch but it may be something to watch.
this is something I've noticed/said for awhile now. I find it odd that of the three people with goats, two of them had somewhat significant left side case damage. The third (srinath) is relatively unexplained still.
I am glad I am not the only one with the same conclusion. Since I low sided a couple of weeks ago, I will pull the left case and see what it looks like eventhough the damage to the outside of the case cover is very minor. I have another case cover on the way.
Srinath must be special. :lol:
You 2 jokers...
I had starter clutch failure ... if you dont know what that sounds/feels like ... take a sledge hammer and whack the left side with it as you thumb the starter... sickening metallic hard whacking sound ... crashes are nohting ...this is a crash from the inside ... sick ...BTW Mechanical genius that I am...I prefered to ride with it till it entirely died ... which it did from goats ...
Cool.
Srinath.
damn that goats syndrom wonder if we should tell suzuki to rivet those magnets on instead of glueing.