Discussion
Hi guys, I’m getting fairly depressed of late and I could use your help.
The story is that last year I got my self my first bike, a GSXR600 SRAD 1998 model. The bike was registered in 2001 but being young and new to the biking world I thought nothing more of it. Well everything was fine until one year and 1000 miles later.
All my troubles started once I booked my bike in to Saltier Suzuki, I believe it’s rated as the second best Suzuki garage in the UK. I had it down for a Service and an MOT, which was costing me £280 all in with a new chain and sprocket on top. But once I waited 30 mins for there inspection to see what kind of work is needed I began to get a funny feeling when the guy in the garage started looking worried and lifting his hat to wipe off all the sweat.
Then the guy walked through and talks to his manager and they started talking with each other. And that feeling started to turn in to a near heard attack when the manager started to worry. Then in due course they taken me to see my bike and this is the list of things they gave me wrong with my bike.
*Wheel bearings are gone and need replaced.
*Y section bearings are gone and need replaced.
*Petrol Tank is leaking and needs replaced (eBay).
*Fork seal has gone and needs replaced.
*Break pads are sports breaks and are all gone and need replaced.
*Rear break has bad rust and needs fixed.
*Chain and sprockets need replaced
And on top of all that despite the 8000 miles on the clock, he told me it is f
king modified race bike that’s been raced and with out the speedo connected. It had all the pins holes drilled in the sump and oil plugs. After he told me all this he said, “Would you like a seat or a cup of coffee, £966…”
“And that’s with out us looking at the engine..”
Well I went home leaving the bike there waiting on them checking out the engine and then got a call back. “Looks like you have had a professionally tuned and modified engine up to a very good professional race standard. It is not a botch job like we suspected.” And he went on, “we have checked it and your timings and valve pressures are all coming out fine as well meaning the engine is ok ‘just now’, but I cant guarantee that it wont throw a valve tomorrow”.
What happened then was I said don’t do anything on the bike and I’ll take it back home. So now I have a situation, do I sell the bike on eBay as a race bike and get what I can for it to help pay off the loan I taken out for the bike. Or do I keep the bike, do it all up and have the risk of the whole think being worthless if the engine blows up another year or two down the road?
The story is that last year I got my self my first bike, a GSXR600 SRAD 1998 model. The bike was registered in 2001 but being young and new to the biking world I thought nothing more of it. Well everything was fine until one year and 1000 miles later.
All my troubles started once I booked my bike in to Saltier Suzuki, I believe it’s rated as the second best Suzuki garage in the UK. I had it down for a Service and an MOT, which was costing me £280 all in with a new chain and sprocket on top. But once I waited 30 mins for there inspection to see what kind of work is needed I began to get a funny feeling when the guy in the garage started looking worried and lifting his hat to wipe off all the sweat.
Then the guy walked through and talks to his manager and they started talking with each other. And that feeling started to turn in to a near heard attack when the manager started to worry. Then in due course they taken me to see my bike and this is the list of things they gave me wrong with my bike.
*Wheel bearings are gone and need replaced.
*Y section bearings are gone and need replaced.
*Petrol Tank is leaking and needs replaced (eBay).
*Fork seal has gone and needs replaced.
*Break pads are sports breaks and are all gone and need replaced.
*Rear break has bad rust and needs fixed.
*Chain and sprockets need replaced
And on top of all that despite the 8000 miles on the clock, he told me it is f
king modified race bike that’s been raced and with out the speedo connected. It had all the pins holes drilled in the sump and oil plugs. After he told me all this he said, “Would you like a seat or a cup of coffee, £966…”“And that’s with out us looking at the engine..”
Well I went home leaving the bike there waiting on them checking out the engine and then got a call back. “Looks like you have had a professionally tuned and modified engine up to a very good professional race standard. It is not a botch job like we suspected.” And he went on, “we have checked it and your timings and valve pressures are all coming out fine as well meaning the engine is ok ‘just now’, but I cant guarantee that it wont throw a valve tomorrow”.
What happened then was I said don’t do anything on the bike and I’ll take it back home. So now I have a situation, do I sell the bike on eBay as a race bike and get what I can for it to help pay off the loan I taken out for the bike. Or do I keep the bike, do it all up and have the risk of the whole think being worthless if the engine blows up another year or two down the road?
Cafuddled said:
How much do you think I could get for it?
I paid £2500 for the fker 1 year ago... I hope that guy has a nice dose of karma eating at his sole… Don’t know how he got the thing through its MOT last year 
have a look on ebay at simular bikes...i would guess at about a grand I paid £2500 for the f
ker 1 year ago... I hope that guy has a nice dose of karma eating at his sole… Don’t know how he got the thing through its MOT last year but that is only a guess, i could be way off the markFirst off, don't get the bike serviced at a suzuki dealer - this reason alone is why you have been quoted £900+. Find yourself a local recommended bike garage ask them to confirm the list of what needs to be replaced. You could also consider looking at sourcing some other new part from internet suppliers to save more money too. Also ask on Suzuki specific internet forums too a google search for some UK based ones should help. I used to use a MSN group when I had a gixxer6 that were quite helpful http://groups.msn.com/GixerCrew/
Main thing to consider is that if you're not paying francised suzuki dealer labour rates you'll be saving a few hundred immediately.
Where are you based? I notice Scotland from your profile, there are a number of Scottish lads on here. I'm sure someone must know somewhere local to you.
Hope this helps.
Main thing to consider is that if you're not paying francised suzuki dealer labour rates you'll be saving a few hundred immediately.
Where are you based? I notice Scotland from your profile, there are a number of Scottish lads on here. I'm sure someone must know somewhere local to you.
Hope this helps.
You could sell the race engine.Then source another engine from the breakers.Its not ideal,but you could come away without losing very much at all.
If it helps at all,a good friend of mine works at quite a large motorbike breakers,I could have a look round for you.
Also,have an explore on gixerjunkies forum.Very informative site.
If it helps at all,a good friend of mine works at quite a large motorbike breakers,I could have a look round for you.
Also,have an explore on gixerjunkies forum.Very informative site.
Edited by NoMak on Monday 10th March 15:32
Edited by NoMak on Monday 10th March 15:36
That's a lott of money. I take it you're not competent with maintenance.
Do you know anyone who has a bit of mechanical experience? Buying bearings from a local bearing shop can quarter the price of OE ones. Same with changing the pads, and cleaning brake pistons, most of the cost there will be labour.
Swapping a petrol tank over isn't a difficult job, finding a decent one might be though.
Running a race tuned engine on the road, usually ends up being expensive, as they are tuned for performance, with not much thought to durability, again it depends on how high the state of tune is.
I've had valves snap and go through the piston, and a con rod through the front of the engine. (FZR 600)
Good luck.
Do you know anyone who has a bit of mechanical experience? Buying bearings from a local bearing shop can quarter the price of OE ones. Same with changing the pads, and cleaning brake pistons, most of the cost there will be labour.
Swapping a petrol tank over isn't a difficult job, finding a decent one might be though.
Running a race tuned engine on the road, usually ends up being expensive, as they are tuned for performance, with not much thought to durability, again it depends on how high the state of tune is.
I've had valves snap and go through the piston, and a con rod through the front of the engine. (FZR 600)
Good luck.
Just had a quick look, for some guide prices on the braking and chain and sprocket stuff. These will be way cheaper than Suzuki dealer prices for those bits.
This is from EBC direct, there are some EBC suppliers that will undercut these prices so internet shop around.
http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/bike/parts_brake.as...
This shows all the braking components EBC make for your bike.
Based on your list of whats needed: Front pads approx £40 for two sets, rear pads £20, rear disc approx £100.
Chain and sprokets, my local place here in london will supply and fit you an AFAM kit (chain inc front+rear sprockets) for around £100 from memory.
This is from EBC direct, there are some EBC suppliers that will undercut these prices so internet shop around.
http://www.ebcbrakesdirect.com/bike/parts_brake.as...
This shows all the braking components EBC make for your bike.
Based on your list of whats needed: Front pads approx £40 for two sets, rear pads £20, rear disc approx £100.
Chain and sprokets, my local place here in london will supply and fit you an AFAM kit (chain inc front+rear sprockets) for around £100 from memory.
I live in Livingston, 6 miles out of Edinburgh. I don’t know if I want to fix this bike though. I mean for me £2500 is a huge amount just to throw away, but if the bikes only worth £1000 on eBay then I am screwed either way. I can loose £1500 or spend another say £700 and have the risk of loosing £3200. I mean all I have to go on is the guy’s word that it’s a fairly good job done on the modified race engine. It feels ok to drive and starts all right.
It’s a very fast bike but as you can expect its pants/useless below 6000rpm, I mean I have got used to riding like that so that’s not a problem. I don’t know if I can trust it again, what if it does blow up on me 100 miles away from home. I just feel like taking a lump hammer to the thing right now…
I guess I’ll throw it on eBay for 2 weeks at £1500 and if it does not sell I’ll just drive it off a cliff with me on it
It’s a very fast bike but as you can expect its pants/useless below 6000rpm, I mean I have got used to riding like that so that’s not a problem. I don’t know if I can trust it again, what if it does blow up on me 100 miles away from home. I just feel like taking a lump hammer to the thing right now…
I guess I’ll throw it on eBay for 2 weeks at £1500 and if it does not sell I’ll just drive it off a cliff with me on it
You have my sympathy on this one, but fear not. This is recoverable:
Wheel bearings a full set of fronts and rears can be got for circa £40 (buy pattern parts, seriously they are no worse than genuine)you can replace these yourself with a few hours patience and a big hammer and large sockets to be used as drifts.
Y section bearings...Don't even know what these are and i've owned 4 GSXR's
Petrol tank leaking, unlucky one this, they tend to go around the bottom of the tank in the weld areas, e-bay has quite a few used GSXR tanks, remember 750/600 SRADS are the same design.
Fork seals, £15 a set, you might need a special tool to take the forks apart yourself, or take out forks, find local bike shop who will be able to replace the seals on just the forks for an hours labour circa £40 ish.
Brake pads, EBC or similar £30-40 for a full set of fronts (both discs) 20 minute job at home, trust me it's really dead easy this one.
Rear brake has bad rust...? Not sure i understand but, if it's an ex-race bike the rear will have hardly been used, take off the rear wheel and pump the rear brake because the pistons may well have seized(be really careful you dont pump too far, just enough so you can see the pistons move out about an inch is far enough. Push them back in and repeat a few times, then refit and use the rear brake a bit, should free up in no time.
Chain and sprockets, can be a bit expensive (£90-£100 ish) you can do this at home again fairly easily, (you will need large front sprocket socket and a peening hammer or similar to beat over the link pin when assembling.
On a positive, SRAD motors are really strong, if you have a properly jetted and timed one you should have a bundle of fun with it, one would also hope that being someones race bike, they have probably in general screwed it together properly. The only failures i know of on race tuned SRAD motors is the tendancy to spit out valve retainers under extreme circumstances (over-revving on downshifts, (yoshimura titanium retainers do solve this)
Finally, as a previous poster pointed out, try not to use a main dealer, the quote you get will be physically painful. There are a few independant bike mechanics out there, give 'em a go.
Wheel bearings a full set of fronts and rears can be got for circa £40 (buy pattern parts, seriously they are no worse than genuine)you can replace these yourself with a few hours patience and a big hammer and large sockets to be used as drifts.
Y section bearings...Don't even know what these are and i've owned 4 GSXR's
Petrol tank leaking, unlucky one this, they tend to go around the bottom of the tank in the weld areas, e-bay has quite a few used GSXR tanks, remember 750/600 SRADS are the same design.
Fork seals, £15 a set, you might need a special tool to take the forks apart yourself, or take out forks, find local bike shop who will be able to replace the seals on just the forks for an hours labour circa £40 ish.
Brake pads, EBC or similar £30-40 for a full set of fronts (both discs) 20 minute job at home, trust me it's really dead easy this one.
Rear brake has bad rust...? Not sure i understand but, if it's an ex-race bike the rear will have hardly been used, take off the rear wheel and pump the rear brake because the pistons may well have seized(be really careful you dont pump too far, just enough so you can see the pistons move out about an inch is far enough. Push them back in and repeat a few times, then refit and use the rear brake a bit, should free up in no time.
Chain and sprockets, can be a bit expensive (£90-£100 ish) you can do this at home again fairly easily, (you will need large front sprocket socket and a peening hammer or similar to beat over the link pin when assembling.
On a positive, SRAD motors are really strong, if you have a properly jetted and timed one you should have a bundle of fun with it, one would also hope that being someones race bike, they have probably in general screwed it together properly. The only failures i know of on race tuned SRAD motors is the tendancy to spit out valve retainers under extreme circumstances (over-revving on downshifts, (yoshimura titanium retainers do solve this)
Finally, as a previous poster pointed out, try not to use a main dealer, the quote you get will be physically painful. There are a few independant bike mechanics out there, give 'em a go.
Cafuddled said:
I live in Livingston, 6 miles out of Edinburgh. I don’t know if I want to fix this bike though. I mean for me £2500 is a huge amount just to throw away, but if the bikes only worth £1000 on eBay then I am screwed either way. I can loose £1500 or spend another say £700 and have the risk of loosing £3200. I mean all I have to go on is the guy’s word that it’s a fairly good job done on the modified race engine. It feels ok to drive and starts all right.
It’s a very fast bike but as you can expect its pants/useless below 6000rpm, I mean I have got used to riding like that so that’s not a problem. I don’t know if I can trust it again, what if it does blow up on me 100 miles away from home. I just feel like taking a lump hammer to the thing right now…
I guess I’ll throw it on eBay for 2 weeks at £1500 and if it does not sell I’ll just drive it off a cliff with me on it
Personally follow my advise and look at getting it repaired properly the least expensive way. Then just use the bike. Please don't just admit defeat and throw an instant £1000 away by sticking it on ebay. Basically if you fix and use the bike you are getting the best deal. Whilst a race tune might add some risk to the bike, surely if its being used on the road it will have no where near the same amount of stress as track riding.It’s a very fast bike but as you can expect its pants/useless below 6000rpm, I mean I have got used to riding like that so that’s not a problem. I don’t know if I can trust it again, what if it does blow up on me 100 miles away from home. I just feel like taking a lump hammer to the thing right now…
I guess I’ll throw it on eBay for 2 weeks at £1500 and if it does not sell I’ll just drive it off a cliff with me on it
For the leaking fuel tank use this stuff.
I had a leak in mine and it fixed it without any problems. 6 months and about 6000 miles later and it's still going strong.
As for the other jobs, go to a local bike mechanic. Sure somebody on here will know of one near your area, wherever you are.
For the race engine, can it be re-mapped to lower the rev's which should decrease the strains and increase longevety?
I had a leak in mine and it fixed it without any problems. 6 months and about 6000 miles later and it's still going strong.
As for the other jobs, go to a local bike mechanic. Sure somebody on here will know of one near your area, wherever you are.
For the race engine, can it be re-mapped to lower the rev's which should decrease the strains and increase longevety?
- Wheel bearings are gone and need replaced. Do them your self they are easy
- Y section bearings are gone and need replaced. No ideal what you mean by Y bearings?
- Petrol Tank is leaking and needs replaced (eBay). Try Petseal.
- Fork seal has gone and needs replaced. Do them yourself too!
- Break pads are sports breaks and are all gone and need replaced. Easy job to do yourself
- Rear break has bad rust and needs fixed.??? bit of wire wool and claen it up?
- Chain and sprockets need replaced Do it yourself.
If the bike runs fine, why replace it or get rid of it?
Just make sure it was not stolen prior to being raced.
Lots of stolen bikes end up as track day bikes.
Some race scruteneers are aware of this and check bikes ID now!
I have been biking for nearly 27 years and have NEVER paid a dealer to service a bike that was out of warranty.and Never £900!
Me thinks they are taking the pi55 out of you!
Nowadays my bikes get treated to an MOT and oil and filter chance by my local tame dealer on an anual basis and I do the rest.
The twunt that sold you it without mentioning anything about it's previous history deserves dose of crabs..I understand buying your first bike ( especially when like me you're not exactly mechanically minded )is a daunting but exiting prospect, luckily I bought mine from a bike cop - he loved it,looked after it, and I got a great machine, but not everyone is like that. I feel for you, but if you have lost trust in the bike then get rid asap. Take a hit on the bike, maybe you could refinace the loan you mentioned? Take the loan over a longer period, maybe put a bit more on it, ask the bank. If you look to repair I can recommend Cupar MotorCycles, obviosly in Cupar Fife, not to far from you mate..I got all my work done there, and will again on my 2nd bike, fair prices and they give good advice. good range of 2nd hand bikes at good prices, it's a very popular bike garage, click on website for phone number, have a look..if you're interested in fixing it.
Either way...good luck bud.
http://www.cupar.co.uk/
Either way...good luck bud.
http://www.cupar.co.uk/
Sorry if this is a repost - but this site does my nut in sometimes.
Thought I'd put a post on...but alas it hasnt...so I'll summarise what I said.
If interested in fixing it I would recommend Cupar Motcycles..in Cupar/Fife, not that far from you..good advice..good on prices.
http://www.cupar.co.uk/
If you've lost confidence in bike..get rid. The loan you mentioned, maybe try refiancing the loan with the bank, add more over a longer period get another bike from a decent garage, you will lose money selling it.
I couldnt recommend the above garage..I've always used them..very popular place.
Either way..goodluck mate.
Thought I'd put a post on...but alas it hasnt...so I'll summarise what I said.
If interested in fixing it I would recommend Cupar Motcycles..in Cupar/Fife, not that far from you..good advice..good on prices.
http://www.cupar.co.uk/
If you've lost confidence in bike..get rid. The loan you mentioned, maybe try refiancing the loan with the bank, add more over a longer period get another bike from a decent garage, you will lose money selling it.
I couldnt recommend the above garage..I've always used them..very popular place.
Either way..goodluck mate.
you need a mate whos ok with spanners to help you sort it yourself. nothing on that list is that hard to do, ive done it all on my bikes with no experience & no mates to help. but then ive fixed my cars for years so happy to take things apart.
if the engine runs fine with no werid noises i wouldnt worry about it. knackered engines sound like knackered engines tuned or not. a properly tuned engine will be balanced so its actually less stressed when used at the same output as a stock engine. plus it might well have uprated parts which will last longer than stock for road use.
if i wasnt at the far end of the UK i'd offer to help you do the work, it really isnt rocket science but i can understand its daunting if you normally just stick it in a garage.
if the engine runs fine with no werid noises i wouldnt worry about it. knackered engines sound like knackered engines tuned or not. a properly tuned engine will be balanced so its actually less stressed when used at the same output as a stock engine. plus it might well have uprated parts which will last longer than stock for road use.
if i wasnt at the far end of the UK i'd offer to help you do the work, it really isnt rocket science but i can understand its daunting if you normally just stick it in a garage.
That sounds like a nightmare mate. I'm in Livingston too and there are a few smaller, private places who would probably be cheaper. Let me know and I can tell you who I have tried. I've used Cal for years (owner of Saltire Suzuki) and don't trust many other people with my bikes. His guys always do great work, but the downside is that you pay dealer rates....
On a completely different tac, don't forget the effect that having a tuned bike will have on your insurance.
On a completely different tac, don't forget the effect that having a tuned bike will have on your insurance.
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