How long's a piece of string?

[Snorkel]

Sorry for more rather vague questions.

Re SLR or Dommie, I have the option of a 1994 dommie which appears to have the bottom end gone. Things are rather imprecise, the advert is in French, but apparently the top end has been done. Before I consider looking at the vehicle I wonder if you can give me a few pointers.

Reasons to buy:

It’s quite cheap.

The work on the engine would give me something to do, I am drifting doing nothing at the moment and I need some mental stimulus.

A sense of achievement.

Reasons against:

I don’t have any idea of how much reconditioning an engine would cost.

It’s been forty years since I had a bike engine in bits. I could end up getting out of my depth.

Questions:

Do I need any special tools, extractors etc?

Anyone have a ball park figure on cost for this? Hence the thread title "How long is a piece of string".

[boroboy]

Just cause its cheap may not be the best reason to buy it.. unless its for peanuts ie a couple of quid / euro;s.

The bottom end has gone !!!!! big ends ? crank gone ? g-box ? you may find it.s easier sourcing a reasonable second hand engine and using the original as a spare parts option... having said that' as your not in a rush it aint rocket science to pull an engine apart.... the tough part is knowing whats gone and what to replace and what will be ok to refit and how deep are your pockets.

Its really an "unknown engine" but there's tons of used spare out there, if it was me I would probably buy it as long as its dirt cheap.. and take a risk / gamble as you say your not in any rush.
I would'nt worry to much about your spannering abilities it's all good practice and don't forget there's tons of info out there on sites like this and tinternet.
As for special tools there is ways round them, depends how deep you go.

I've just read this back to myself ..and it really does'nt help you doe's it.

Just go for it. its all good fun and stops you going barmy.

pete.

[Mervinh]

actually it should not be too difficult too find a dommie engine with a good bottom end and knackered top i reckon, then just put the good top end on the good bottom
merv

[Recycler]

Fitting a new big end and balancing the crank is a garage job. If the little end (the bearing at the top of the conrod is a bush rather than roller bearing - then that's a pro job to.
Assuming the gearbox is like an XR600 (haven't rebuilt a Dommie) - if that need's new gears they're only held on the shafts with circlips (not pressed on like an XT600) so can be done in the shed. An engine rebuild is never cheap - even if you do it yourself - unless you use second hand parts off a donor bike as suggested.

The Dommie would have to cost peanuts for me to buy it. Trouble is, if the bottom end is noisy it could mask what could be wrong with the top end and gearbox, unless it smokes etc. Worn gears tend to whine but only in the problem gear.

You'll need a puller for the magneto - before you can split the cases and calipers (internal/external) for measuring the bore/piston etc.

Just a suggestion, but price up a crank rebuild (basically they split the counter-weights at the bottom, fit a new big end bearing at the bottom of the conrod, then press it back together and balance it) and full gasket kit. Most other work apart from a rebore can be done d.i.y. Not trying to put you off but at least you'll have a bare minimum cost.....

[Snorkel]

Thanks once again for your replies. Decision made, I'll steer well clear.

[afk40]

snorkel.............go Buy a Jigsaw,,, cheaper an an all the stuffs there

[kenny1950]

They are not too bad to work on and are built like truck engine Big and Strong. Iif it has a big end knocked out I would be wondering why. Was it run low on oil? If so maybe more parts are worn as well. But Honda spares will cost you a fortune and would soon amount to near the price of a S/H engine.
Just for info the thread to remove the generator is the same standard thread as used on HGV truck wheel studs so get one and screw it in tight a small tap and its off

Ken

[afk40]

snorkel...seriously.. i have roasted 2 dommie engines wi top end damage...thru wheelieing, as the oil is not got to the top end, while doing ma stuff , an am serious here, the dommie is anamazing wheelie machine,,, but what bike do you know that will do 3 hours o practice a nite 3 times a week this went on fur a couple o weeks, till one nite, i heard strange noises.... i drove it home quite considerably not goin above 90.....naw am kidding 30.... when we got it tae ma garage it was too hot to touch, we had a coffee an a fag, then around 45 mins later it was still too hot to touch... then when we did get to it, the expansion had now shrunk an i had a serious top end cease...........i done that twice. usually the bittom ends are all ok as yes they arte bullit proof, but thats only a cliche... everything can be damaged,, ask as many questions an know as much as poss about the new second hand bottom end or full engine, as my engine looked really good, an i could have sold it like that, looking all good an shiney, but buyer takes the risk,,, an wehen it would have been opened up it wid be a mess.... so buyer beware...keep yer wits about ye,, not unless as the other guy said above,, yer gitten it fur buttons..as a barrel fae Honda wid cost ye the same as ye`d pick up a complete knackered engine.............rant over........ mabozar