sv400 Project, ideas?

[Spider]

hi guys, i did an engine change on a sv400 for a friend of mine as his engine had gone pop, instead of payment i kept the engine (never done a bike engine change so i saw it as a learning experience). Now i don`t know what`s wrong with the engine as i haven`t had time to pull it apart yet but i was scratching my head thinking what to do with it. Get hold of a frame n make a winter runner or street fighter or just re con it n sell it, any ideas anyone?

[yorkie_chris]

Well it's kinda pointless buying a frame if the engine is fubar.

Pull it in bits and see whats up with it.

[Spider]

further to that. The girlfriend thinks i should put it in a go-cart! women eh!

[Spider]

obvisously that`s the first step, the engine turns over by hand so i don`t think it`s anything to serious but was just looking for ideas

[yorkie_chris]

If the big ends/mains have gone then it'll still turn over.

Maybe build a test stand and have a listen to it?

[arenalife]

You kind of need a load of stuff to go with it like carbs maybe and wiring and ecu and relays and coils.

Once you factor in new gaskets and parts, a rebuild and sell wont earn much if anything. Just pull it apart for fun maybe?

[thefallenangel]

strip down for parts on ebay?

[northwind]

Stick 650 pistons on it and make it a... 550? Something like that? They do share a lot of parts, or at least they have decent compatability, but I can't see a lot of people wanting a 400 motor. Perhaps a thunderbike racer would like to make a really bad 400cc class race bike :D

[Spider]

Cheers guys and northy (;)) but i`ve had an idea, i`m kinda followin arenalife`s idea. I thought i`ve never stripped a v twin before and my 13 year old nephew is into bikes n engines and wants to learn about them so he`s comin over this weekend to strip the engine with me. I`m hoping to turn him to the dark side while he`s still young (que evil laugh :smt077 )

[zadar]

Stick 650 pistons on it and make it a... 550? Something like that? They do share a lot of parts, or at least they have decent compatability
not so easy,rods small ends are not same size.
you can bolt 650 crank,rods and top end.

[Red Herring]

What about a restricted licence rider? Does an "unrestricted" 400 engine make a better 33bhp option than a 650?

[yorkie_chris]

Depends what sort of engine you want. 400 will be revvier at expense of bottom end. It'll probably still need restricting anyway though.

[Dangerous Dave]

Depends what sort of engine you want. 400 will be revvier at expense of bottom end. It'll probably still need restricting anyway though.
Spot on there Chris, the 650 is better restricted as it has more bottom end grunt/torque. That said the SV400 would probably still be a better option restricted than an IL4 engine.

[northwind]

not so easy,rods small ends are not same size.
you can bolt 650 crank,rods and top end.

:( Another pointless project dashed.