Pointy K3 - non-runner for sale

[huskie69]

Hi.

I've got a pointy silver K3 which died on me at the beginning of the month. I've been told conflicting stories from different mechanics - one said the a cam chain had snapped/jumped a tooth. Another said the big-end may have gone. I got the bike started last week and there's a grinding/clanking noise coming from the front of the engine. I don't want to start her up again in case I cause further damage.

I don't know anyone handy enough to look at it and tell me exactly what's wrong with it without shelling out about £250 just on the labour of diagnosis.

With this in mind, I'm looking to sell the bike as it is. Worst case scenario is big end damaged (full engine replacement maybe £300). If the valves haven't been eaten by the camchain skipping a tooth (I don't think this is the case as the bike did start up albeit with one hell of a noise) then this can be rectified for the cost of labour and maybe a new chain.

The bike's done about 43k all in all. Camchain's and CCTs changed last May at a cost of £650 (so you can imagine I'm even more ****ed off if it is a camchain!).

Rather than shell out on getting a diagnosis, I'd prefer to get a bit of value back on the bike and sell it to someone who's more able to fix these things than I am and won't need to spend on a mechanic's labour.

Obviously she's not running but if you're interested, let me know!

I'd be happy to let her go for £900 (cost me £1700 this time last year). New set of Michelin Pilot roads in Jan with less than 1k on them, a 'Fuel' legal stubby exhaust for one hell of a grumbly noise (on par with the rumbly Harleys) along with the stock exhaust and loads more extras thrown in. MOT til August, Tax till next Jan.

Bike is located in North Wales (Conwy area).

UPDATE: I went to see about starting her up when I got back from work last night and, after some help from another battery, managed to fire her up after a few cranks. She's not misfiring and the mechanical slapping noise seems to be coming from the right had side CCT compartment - the engine tone does seem quite muted compared to normal. So it's not as serious as I first thought and doesn't sound like it'll need a new engine after all. Still for sale though!

[huskie69]

Recent pics now attached.

[Daveog]

Sorry to hear that matey. It took me nearly six months to find a replacement engine for fair money. Most breakers are asking £600 (and half of them look like they've been sitting in damp places for ages.)

[huskie69]

UPDATE: I went to see about starting her up when I got back from work last night and, after some help from another battery, managed to fire her up after a few cranks. She's not misfiring and the mechanical slapping noise seems to be coming from the right had side CCT compartment - the engine tone does seem quite muted compared to normal. So it's not as serious as I first thought and doesn't sound like it'll need a new engine after all. Still for sale though!

[flymo]

fairly simple to remove and examine the CCT. If its not that then almost certainly it'll need one of the cylinder heads lifting off to take a proper look.

[huskie69]

Nah, tried it last year and couldn't do it - even with the help of a more technically knowledgeable friend! They're really fiddly on the SVs - even bike mechs reckon a good 1.5 -2hrs labour just to get to the CCTs.

[flymo]

...even bike mechs reckon a good 1.5 -2hrs labour jus to get to the CCTs.

that's bull. 15 mins to take 'em out and have a look.

[hardhat_harry]

Even easier if its the front one your checking

[huskie69]

that's bull. 15 mins to take 'em out and have a look.

Maybe for someone who knows what they're doing / doesn't milk unwitting customers for every penny ;)

[hardhat_harry]

Post the sound up on t'interweb and we can have a listen. CCT's gone wrong and a knackered crank do sound different.

CCT's go tickity tick

Crank sounds like a lump hammer in your engine banging

[flymo]

Maybe for someone who knows what they're doing / doesn't milk unwitting customers for every penny ;)

that's what I meant, as you mentioned a bike mechanic. 2 hours would likely include allowance for a few tea breaks including biscuits :-), you could have the entire engine out in less time than that.

[SV..al]

I bought this bike as a bit of a project...got it home and in the garage stripped the cam covers and all looked well, took the heads and barrells of and there was no play in the rear conrod but the front you could pull up/down by about 5 to 8mm so it was the big end bearing on the front cylinder, no surprise as there was only a litre of oil in it!! Currently sorting out an engine with only 9000 miles on it and hoping to be back on the road in a weeks time or so....can't wait.

Al

[huskie69]

Glad you're getting her sorted Al. And where did you find such a low mileage engine?! Have fun with her, I certainly did :)

[SV..al]

The engine is off a forum member. The battery on the bike is fine, i put it on the optimate when i got home and next day it was fully charged and held ok. She fired up instantly but the noise was horrendous!! When i checked the oil level it wasn't visible in the inspection window so suspected it would be a big end gone and thats what i found when i stripped it out.

Al

[Aidan]

Just read this - I think this was my old K3. Sorry to hear you had woes with it Husky - I never had a problem in the 25k I had it for. Which is why I've bought my third SV.

But glad to hear it lives on.

[SV..al]

Yep i'm pretty sure it is your old bike mate....it will be back to how it was less the fly screen and givi rack as i aint keen on them!!

Al

[huskie69]

Yup, this is your old bike Aidan. I was really sorry to see her go but glad Al's got the time and patience to get her back on the road again :) I'm now on the lookout for my next ride and if I can't find a decent priced R6, will be bagging another SV - such a great bike!