Fuck ass!!!

[Mikkel]

Where is ur bike now?

At Norjo's on the "operation table"...

I agree with the cam gears being OK.

But on some bikes you have to break the chain to get it to fit.
Unless you want to pull the whole motor apart.
Not sure about it on this bike.
Just so some people do not get the wrong idea that never have to break the chain.

And the bottom sprocket can be part of the crank and to change it, that would be a total motor dismantle and a new crank.
If it can be replaced it is still could be a total motor pull apart and maybe have to split the crank shaft as well, if the sprocket is in the middle of the crank shaft.

What I can not under stand is the chain breaking in TWO places.
Once it has broken once the load is off the chain so should not break in a second place.

The sprocket is at the righthand end of the crankshaft - I am uncertain about whether it is a replacable part though. As for the sprockets on the camshaft, these are part of the camshafts and changing them would mean new camshafts...

I am sure it is possible to install the camchain as an endless chain - but it would be a much larger job. However, the chain apparently didn't break at the spot where it was broken and reassembled.

As for the chain breaking two places - it is not unlikely that the chain had a primary failure and when it subsequently was thrown around inside the clutch cover it could have had a secondary failure. It certainly caused a bit of mayhem in there...

Anyway, I've attached some parts of the workshop service manual for the ZXR250. I've tried to illustrate how the crankcase kinda covers parts of the camchain and how that can complicate things when trying to insert an endless chain.

[Max Preload]

If you aint signed nothing saying repairs are done at your risk, then it's their job to do it properly and not having it fuck the rest of your bike! Even if you signed something there are laws that services are rendered within reasonable quality.

Indeed - they can't contract out of the provisions of the CGA, not that they'd neccessarily try.

They're human and make mistakes. Given the added pressure of the looming holiday and a desire to see the customer right beforehand they may have overlooked something (damned if I can think what though). However, a camchain snapping in 2 places, neither of them the joining link I find far fetched.

[awayatc]

However, a camchain snapping in 2 places, neither of them the joining link I find far fetched.

Cam chain snaps, camshaft stays where is with valves, piston hit valves, crankshaft still turns, but camshaft can't follow anymore so second break / same chain occurs....
Big question is : what caused first snap?.....
Maybe chain was to lose (tensioner faulty or lose?) and got either caught up, or whiplashed ( shockloading) full throttle onto a to slack chain..?.....either way, it is not the bike owners fault.
But not much is not possible in mechanical breakdowns.....(new "forensic" sort of T.V program...?)
Good luck, and please let us know the final verdict and outcome..

[Mikkel]

Yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing what will happen - but more so to have my bike back in working order!

Haven't heard anything so far - but they should open the shop on monday so I guess then something might start to happen.

[kneescraper]

Sorry to hear about your bike.

I look forward to hearing what the cause of the break was, I hope the shop isnt going to try to pull the wool over your eyes. Must suck not having a bike to ride over the hot christmas period.

Best of luck!

[Mikkel]

I had a chat to Gordon on the phone yesterday. Two valves have been bent, he couldn't find what had caused the failure and he reckoned that the bike could be back on the road by friday.

Guess I'll pop out and have a chat with him tomorrow sometime.

Damn I hope it'll be running as it was before!!!

[James Deuce]

That IS good news.

I have appendages crossed.

[Mikkel]

That IS good news.

I have appendages crossed.

Well, too good to be true it turns out...

Seems Kawasaki Japan haven't got too many genuine valves for '89 ZXR-250s lying around these days. So they've put the detectives on the case and are trying to track down a suitable pair for me.

So now I can only lean back and wait to see what happens. With appendages crossed every which way!

But I think the chance of me getting my bike back for the weekend is pretty damn slim

Why does the weather have to be so fucking beautiful as well - I can't even go for a run seeing as I twisted my ankle running in Able Tasman 3 days ago. FFS!

[skidMark]

Well, too good to be true it turns out...

Seems Kawasaki Japan haven't got too many genuine valves for '89 ZXR-250s lying around these days. So they've put the detectives on the case and are trying to track down a suitable pair for me.

So now I can only lean back and wait to see what happens. With appendages crossed every which way!

But I think the chance of me getting my bike back for the weekend is pretty damn slim

Why does the weather have to be so fucking beautiful as well - I can't even go for a run seeing as I twisted my ankle running in Able Tasman 3 days ago. FFS!

ring this fella

keith.... 021 160 7327 hes vfrona on trademe

he will have some second hand ones.

i have an old head....but well if my zxr ever needs valves...thats why ive kept it.

[Max Preload]

I presume they've done more than just remove the head to check for bent valves... a piston could have been cracked, a rod bent and with all the cam chain likely gathering at the bottom the crank sprocket would be damaged...

[Mikkel]

Cheers Mark. But I think I'll just let them handle all the work... It's annoying enough not to have my bike, but having to spend my time sorting it out as well, no way.

I presume they've done more than just remove the head to check for bent valves... a piston could have been cracked, a rod bent and with all the cam chain likely gathering at the bottom the crank sprocket would be damaged...

Well, I had a chat to him about it and he was of the opion that both the piston and the crank sprocket were ok. I told him right there that I hoped he was right and if anything else related to this job would arise down the road that I would be coming back... But I get a feeling he's quite keen to make sure it runs as well as it did before the camchain snapped. And, well, he should be!

The carbon deposits on the piston that kissed the valves have been scraped off - but nothing else to see.
The inside of camchain compartment has gotten some scrapes and two of the teeth on the crankshaft sproket has gotten a slight scrape as well.
Two of the valves are clearly stuffed, the rest of them seems to be sitting nice and tight where they are supposed to be.

[kneescraper]

This is good news isnt it.

2 valves, thats bugger all damage. I was expecting to be reading "2 of my pistons are damaged, my valves are bent and my internal casing is scratched up.

I hope the bike is still what it was before the cam chain snap...some times just knowing that there has been a major problem with the bike in the past can play on your mind.

Best of luck mate, cant wait to hear more about how its going.

[Mikkel]

How much time is gonna pass before I get my bike back I don't know... However, I am personally getting to the point where I put on my helmet in spite just because it's been too long. And no, they haven't got a loaner I can get my mitts on at the moment...

I miss riding quite a bit...

[Dave-]

heh, i could imagine you in your kit just sitting there...

you should chuck your kit on, go to the pub in the cage and have a beer, pretending and telling everyone about your bike and how you just got back from an epic ride...that'll make you feel better.

[Mikkel]

heh, i could imagine you in your kit just sitting there...

you should chuck your kit on, go to the pub in the cage and have a beer, pretending and telling everyone about your bike and how you just got back from an epic ride...that'll make you feel better.

I have thought about that...

But I have tried playing the role of the pretender before and it doesn't suit me. Still if the cage is available come wednesday I might just show up and join the fun nonetheless. Beats wearing your helmet to bed I guess...