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Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:44 pm
by FzrAtx
So I've been burning oil lately and have gotten it down to worn piston rings or valve guide seals, either way gonna cost me over 500 bucks. So my question is should I sell it and if so how much could I sell a bike that burns oil for? It has close to 19000 miles and drives fine around town but if you get on it for a while: what I mean by that is full throttle shifting around 10k for over 100 miles I burn about .5L. Other than that I have never had any problems with it. How much do you think I should sell it for? The bad: It has a broken but fiberglassed fairing on the left front, the oil issue. The good: Jetted, D&D slip on, yzf front end, r6 master and calipers. I've seen other fzr's go on craigslist between 2 and 3k but they didn't say anything about burning oil. So any input would be greatly appreciated. Image

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:34 pm
by ragedigital
It's in good shape, but with the oil deal, I'd say you're looking at $1500-1800.

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:42 am
by mszilves
Likely most old bikes will burn oil to some extent, so you're gonna likely be in a similar boat. It's up to you really, is it worth $500 to fix the problem (and it will likely be the rings with that much oil burning), or just live with it. It doesn't hurt anything the way it is, this really comes down to whether you can live with it or not. :-)

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:37 pm
by touch
I think changing the engine would be cheaper (and faster) than fixing what you've got. The only problem is finding an engine close to home.

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 7:24 am
by Fartblood
That's a clean, good looking, perfectly usable and increasingly rare bike with plenty of life left in her - I'd be on the lookout for another engine (maybe a Chundercat motor if you're willing to do the minorish mods needed to make it fit) and you can then spend some time rebuilding the old mill at your leisure.

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:08 am
by reelrazor
I agree with Fartblood. That thing is in quite nice condition.

get some rings, and a gasket set...and an appropriately sized ball hone and re-ring it. You'll get a chance to de-carbon the valves and pistons..KNOW the head gasket is good...and clearance the valves while you do it.

And, like mszilves said....is it bugging you all that much at this time? It's a good winter job..ride it 'til then.

Pull the engine..it'll give you a chance to do a frame- up cleaning/resto and something to do on the long cold winter nights....ohh, you're in Austin, Texas...............................

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:58 pm
by FzrAtx
Alright so I ordered a leak down test gauge. Hopefully it will show up sometime soon so I will know what I'm dealing with. But I suppose you're all right I should just wait and fix it. Does anyone know what type of valve spring compressor works best on our bikes?

Re: Burning oil: should I fix or sell?????

Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 5:03 pm
by mikev
Actually I might sell the trackbike I just bought and get an SV650. One came up for sale for RIDICULOUSLY cheap... I mean like too cheap to pass up.