[depotij]

I rode my bike over the weekend and it seized up on me. I took the oil filter out and there was brass looking shaving all over the place. Anyone have any idea what it is and how much i'm looking at to repair and how to prevent it?

[Asmith]

The bronze shavings you are seeing are from the thrust washers on the crank.

You are into a Total rebuild.

[depotij]

any idea what a rebuild will cost and any suggestions on whether to put stock parts or aftermarket parts back in. Also what do you think could have happened? I checked all my fluids before running it.

[Asmith]

Hard to say what caused it. Have you had the bike since new? How many hours? Been beaten?

A lack of oil can cause it. Normal wear and tear can cause too much play, which in turn can cause balance issues. The thrust washers are there to "cushion" the side to side play. Too much play, and the thrust washers will fail. That will send bronze shavings through the engine and will clog up oil passages and cause the seizure.

You will need new crank, bearings, full gasket kit, connecting rod, piston and rings. Depending on the damage, maybe cylinder.

If the engine was oil starved, cam and chain may be suspect as well.

Bottom line, hard to say not knowin'...

Good luck.

[depotij]

Holy F!! So basically i should just buy a hot rod crank assembly, rods and inspect the cylinder too. I bought the bike used from a dealer and they said they serviced it with all new fluids. I only ran it maybe 5 hours after i bought it.

[Asmith]

5 Hours!!!!

They scammed you bro...that engine is roached.

BTW did you check fluids? or just trust that they did it correctly?

The OEM stuff is as good as any unless you are a sponsored racer, in which case you aren't paying for parts.

A new OEM crank and rod is $ 204. A new cylinder is $ 159. A new piston kit with gaskets is $ 99. Cam chain $ 29. A gasket kit and some bearings will bump the total up a bit.

Good thing after all that is you will have a new, tight engine that you will know inside and out.

[depotij]

I definately checked the levels every ride. I am calling them on tuesday when they open. I graduated High School with the sales manager and am going to rip him a new one! It might get me somewhere, maybe free labor, or parts, but either way this is ridiculous. The bike was sitting for a year in the back they told me. Probably because they knew something was wrong.

But you are right, once it is all said and done I will know i have a complete rebuild and fresh engine.

Hey, I can't thank you enough for replying. I've been all over different forums to find out what was brass inside the crank and no one replied to me.

[depotij]

How many hours do you think a job like this would take a dealer?

[depotij]

~, any idea how long of a job this will take them? Just so they don't come back with some ridiculous amout of hours.

[124]

~, any idea how long of a job this will take them? Just so they don't come back with some ridiculous amout of hours.

I'm not sure what the dealer will tell you. But I've never seen a job like that quoted under $1500 from the dealer. With parts in hand, an experienced engine person can do the job in about 4-5 hours start to finish.
Where are you located depotij?

[depotij]

Northeast PA, right next to scranton.

I am going to try my best to have them cover this. I didn't even go through a tank of gas with it yet. Thats not even one race if you want to look at it that way.

I have a guy that used to be the head mechanic for a top fuel drag car team willing to do the work for nothing for me. He is a buddy of my dads. Excellent mechanic. If he can rebuild a top fueler, i think a simple one cylinder four stroke engine should be a walk in the park for him. He has a whole machine shop to which he said he won't charge me anything to clean and polish.

Where you from?

[124]

Northeast PA, right next to scranton.

I am going to try my best to have them cover this. I didn't even go through a tank of gas with it yet. Thats not even one race if you want to look at it that way.

I have a guy that used to be the head mechanic for a top fuel drag car team willing to do the work for nothing for me. He is a buddy of my dads. Excellent mechanic. If he can rebuild a top fueler, i think a simple one cylinder four stroke engine should be a walk in the park for him. He has a whole machine shop to which he said he won't charge me anything to clean and polish.

Where you from?

Suburb of Detroit. Livonia, MI. Not to doubt your friends ability, but there are certain tools needed to do the job that are specific to CRF motorcycles. That would be your/his hangup. Picking up these tools and a service manual and your buddy shouldn't have an issue. Just remember that your cylinder is nikasil coated and should not be heavily honed. Any scratches caught by your fingernail and you will need a new cylinder or get it recoated.

The specialty tools are:
A clutch holder tool.
A CRF flywheel puller M24x1.5mm
A balancer socket.
Crankcase separator.

Motion Pro carries all of these tools and are of high quality. I'm sure that your mechanic can work without some of these tools, but the flywheel puller and and balancer socket are a MUST HAVE.

If you need assistance or advice, please don't hesitate to ask anyone of us. We're here to help. Good luck with the dealer, I highly advise you to handle it with them or completely leave them out. Don't get them partially involved, it will only muddy the water. The stealer will protect their side of things regardless of what is "right"...

Good luck...

[depotij]

Thanks so much for the advice. I will be sure to grab those tools if the dealer isn't willing to work with me on this. I just bought a 07 700 grizzly for $8,900 last year and then this bike for around $2,700. So in my judgement that should carry some clout. But who knows with these dealers anymore.

[124]

I've been in and out of trannies a bunch of times.

Err...well...let me rephrase: I mean I've split engine cases rebuilding cranks and transmissions many, many times. Need help, just ask.

[krisrtch]

I've been in and out of trannies a bunch of times.

Don't ask don't tell