full gasket set / kit

[nereus78]

hi all,
I've been debating a full gasket kit including a re-ring kit. My fizzer is starting to leak from darn near every orifice and has 29k on the odometer. I've put only 5k on it myself, but nearly every gasket is leaking some...where. Don't get me wrong; it's been a great bike. I bought it as a learner bike (big mistake IMHO, too twitchy), and has fulfilled it's mission with little more than only changing out the speedo cable, so I'm contemplating a newer bike (probably not). In this economy though, it may be difficult. I do, however, really like this bike and would like to keep it in the family and work with it (rebuild it).

So, I'm thinking of doing a full rebuild from the ground up...not just engine-wise, but swingarm, 17" rim (maybe), shocks, brakes, and what-not.

My main question is there a good (quality), but cheap (economical) gasket kit &/or re-ring kit out there? I've seen some gasket kits out there from $80(ebay cheapy)-250(vesrah). I'm assuming you get what you pay for, but is there a golden egg? One that is cheap and respectable?

Any advice or input is welcome.

[mossy1200]

Your asking on a FZR site if you should give up on your bike?You should be ashamed

660 kit it

Im about to 1040 kit my thou

[thatkid]

It will be cheaper to buy a new motor. The 80 ebay gasket kit isn't bad. I'm currently installing one on a motor. All the basic parts are there and they work. The issue will be the rings. You're looking at ~250 from an OEM supplier and even more from the dealer for all 4 pistons. You'll probably need a new clutch which will be 60 bucks for just friction plates or about 140 for friction plates, springs, and plates. So with just the basics covered you're looking at 470. I bought a 97 motor with 7k on it for ~450. There is another motor by me for 150.

The only downside of a new motor is you don't know the history of it. SO buy it from some place reputable if you decide to go that route. You'll be looking at less money and a silly amount of less time to swap it in than to rebuild one. Then, if you want to tinker on the other on go for it. Or sell off parts that are good. Side covers alone will fetch about 125.

If your rings turn out to be usable, then just reseal it and go. However, you may be looking at more problems down the line.

[touch]

I wouldn't make this decision without a compression check. Are you burning oil or just leaking it? How big of a winter project do you want?

If you eliminate the entertainment factor, I would say it is cheaper to buy a new bike than to perform full upgrade; but doing the work will keep you off the streets and out of the kitchen for weeks .

[nereus78]

Wow, I didn't realize the rings would be so expensive. I guess I'll look into finding an engine somewhere. Does anyone know of a reputable place to get one? I looked at ebay but wasn't overly impressed. Craigslist doesn't currently have one in my area.

I'm thinking the compression is good (although I haven't actually checked it). The bike isn't losing power at all. It still runs really strong. I just figured I'd re-ring it if I was going to take it apart. It's not leaking excessively; I only had to add oil right before (just 2 weeks) I changed the oil this last time.

Thanks for the advice so far.

[tattysteve]

I'm in the same position but i burn alot of oil rather thank leaking it. For me its going to be more economical to keep toping it up with oil and keep my eye out for a cheap engone or donor bike. I guess if its leaking then its a different story, but once you've run a compression test you'll know whether you can get away with just swapping out the gaskets rather than having to mess about with the rings. Also once the engines out you can do all the valve clearances easily......

[nereus78]

Is there an economical way to do a compression test? Mostly, I need to know which gauge (how many psi) to get. I also have a compressor (150 psi, is that enough?), I could do a leak down test, but I don't have the adapter right now (don't know what exactly I would need here). Any advice in this area would be great.

Also, I'm not having any luck finding a used fzr600 engine. I'm just over 29K on the bike. How much longer is is still considered safe? Anyone in the 40k or higher range around here?

[mcfreak18]

Buy a newer bike and rebuild the fizzer. 2 bikes!

that's what i'm doing. i'm gonna get all the gunk outta the engine, put in new gaskets. i need to check the compression on mine. i know one of the cylinders is messed up. still have to clean the carbs. i was even thinking of doing a fairing conversion kit. my plan is to have that bike running like new and then sell it. soooo many things to do

[nereus78]

I'll be working 10hr days soon and need to squeeze in family time. I won't have that kinda time. I'm still debating on what to do. I already have another bike anyway. Well, it's my wife's. It's a little '03 Kawa Ninja 500.