Honda XR250 seized - advice?

[jeremysprite]

Was riding my 1990 xr250 along the motorway today, found it started losing power, I thought it might be out of fuel so I switched to reserve.

Back wheel then locked up and I rolled to the side of the motorway. Tried kicking it over and it's rock solid... Refilled it with oil (yes, it had run dry) and left it for an hour, but it's still seized.

So, I'm wondering whether I a) take it into a bike shop for assessment, b) just take it home and try find a wrecker who has a top end or complete motor.
I imagine a complete motor for a common bike like this would be around $350-400 ? And a bike shop would take at least an hour to assess @ $80ph exc., so I'm thinking it might be worth just replacing the engine myself?

Thoughts on these above estimates or replacing an engine like this?

Ps it ran out of oil because I didn't check it, it was burning or leaking and I didn't know... Just replaced oil & filter a few weeks ago.

Also thanks to the guy who stopped for me on the northern motorway, was riding a white bike, sorry I didn't get your name but appreciated your help!

Cheers

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[Crasherfromwayback]

The motor is junk put it in the bin. You're very lucky it didn't lock up and throw you on your head. Lesson learnt I hope. Takes two secs to check the oil level.

[Madness]

Refilled it with oil (yes, it had run dry) and left it for an hour, but it's still seized.

Really? Even after a whole hour of sitting?

try find a wrecker who has a top end or complete motor.

I think you might be needing a bottom end before you need a new top end.

[jeremysprite]

I thought the piston was more likely to seize than something on the bottom end? What would go wrong with the bottom end without much oil?

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[FJRider]

... I thought it might be out of fuel so I switched to reserve.

So you hadn't checked your fuel status either ... ???

...Tried kicking it over and it's rock solid... Refilled it with oil (yes, it had run dry) and left it for an hour, but it's still seized.

Optimistic ... but welcome to the real world ...

So, I'm wondering whether I a) take it into a bike shop for assessment, b) just take it home and try find a wrecker who has a top end or complete motor.

A free assessment here ... It's fucked. Find a complete motor. E.mail / Google .. all the bike wreckers you can find ...

Thoughts on these above estimates or replacing an engine like this?

Let YOUR fingers do the walking ... being lazy gets you nowhere ... as you have just found.

Ps it ran out of oil because I didn't check it, it was burning or leaking and I didn't know... Just replaced oil & filter a few weeks ago.

The greatest risk of leaks is just after oil/filter changes ... especially if you did it yourself. And always before any use ... otherwise it can get expensive (not to mention embarrassing)

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Sell your fancy phone and get a cheap one ... you might need the money ...

[jeremysprite]

It's a work phone :-)

Thanks, was just looking for a quick idea of cost as wreckers are shut today too help decide what to do (bike shop vs do it myself)

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[fridayflash]

sad news man, but a lesson all the same. any old worn rfvc engine aint worth touching with a spanner (trust me ) so i hope you can find a motor
theyre a common bike yes, but every single one of them gets used to within an inch of its life therefore finding a decent engine may be a chore..and a bit heavy on the wallet altho i couldnt quote what one would cost you. id look for a parts bike if poss.
good luck bro

[FJRider]

I thought the piston was more likely to seize than something on the bottom end? What would go wrong with the bottom end without much oil?

Bearings need lubrication .... and there are LOT'S of them in the bottom end/gearbox (lubricated by the SAME oil)

[jeremysprite]

sad news man, but a lesson all the same. any old worn rfvc engine aint worth touching with a spanner (trust me ) so i hope you can find a motor
theyre a common bike yes, but every single one of them gets used to within an inch of its life therefore finding a decent engine may be a chore..and a bit heavy on the wallet altho i couldnt quote what one would cost you. id look for a parts bike if poss.
good luck bro

Thanks man

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[Crasherfromwayback]

Bearings need lubrication .... and there are LOT'S of them in the bottom end/gearbox (lubricated by the SAME oil)

Ain't nothing wrong with his gearbox bearings. They'll last surprisingly long with just boundry lubrication. But the big end, mains and cam bearing, piston etc a no go.

[CrazyFrog]

If you're gonna repair, just slap a new(er) engine in. You'll be pushed to find anything not raped for $300 though.
Try this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-694000485.htm
Bigger engine, should fit up ok, might need engine mount mods to make work. Don't know how much of a "freshen up" it needs, pay to ask first!

Full bottom end rebuild is going to cost you big time sonny, oil is cheap, rebuilds are not.
If all this is price prohibitive, sell it as rolling chassis to highest bidder, or part it out completely, you'll spend more time doing it but get much more of your hard earned cash back.

[jeremysprite]

If you're gonna repair, just slap a new(er) engine in. You'll be pushed to find anything not raped for $300 though.
Try this http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-694000485.htm
Bigger engine, should fit up ok, might need engine mount mods to make work. Don't know how much of a "freshen up" it needs, pay to ask first!

Full bottom end rebuild is going to cost you big time sonny, oil is cheap, rebuilds are not.
If all this is price prohibitive, sell it as rolling chassis to highest bidder, or part it out completely, you'll spend more time doing it but get much more of your hard earned cash back.

Yeah the xr400 not a straight swap unfortunately, I'd have to get it re-certified if it's bigger right? Or more than 20% power gain?

Does anyone know if the newer xr 250 engine would fit?

I actually really like the bike so do want to repair... But reason will hopefully win out!

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[Drew]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha, fail!

It's the crank that's seized for sure. Lucky for the other road users you didn't snap the rod and leave bits of engine all down the road.

Anyhoo, good luck with the motor search. Hope it doesn't cost too much.

[merv]

With old Hondas like this its more likely its seized the plain cam bearings than a crankshaft but either way its more than likely beyond an economical repair.

[pritch]

Takes two secs to check the oil level.

Not on my Triumph.