Engine swap advice - SV650.org

17-01-08, 01:56 PM

Hi everyone, sorry if this has been covered before. I recently took my SV to get serviced and was shocked to get a quote of £350+. My bike's for commuting and has done nearly 50,000miles. I had a look on Ebay and aquired a new (7000 miles) engine for my curvy for the same money.
Now to the point, has anyone got any top tips or warnings before I get stuck in? Will I need special tools like the 4-prong sockets also available on Ebay?

Thanks

embee · 17-01-08, 02:32 PM

I'm missing something here I think.

Why are you changing the engine instead of servicing the original one? Was there something major wrong with the other one?

If it just neede a service, and it's already done 50k, why not just service it yourself and save the cash?

jambo · 17-01-08, 03:01 PM

I'm also missing something, if you're happy to swap an engine out you can probably do your own servicing. Check what's involved in the service as a lot of it will be non-engine work (Brakes, suspension, bearings all need checking & lubing)

Jambo

17-01-08, 04:45 PM

I get your point, it does seem an overkill way of getting a service! The quote was just for engine work and I thought if I'm going to spend out on a major service I might as well just replace my old lump with a nice fresh one.

Biker Biggles · 17-01-08, 05:19 PM

I assume the service bill was for shimming the valves?Unless somat was broke I cant think what else would cost that.Does your old engine burn oil or is anything actually wrong with it?Are you sure the new engine is everything it says it is?
Having said that swapping the engine isnt all that tricky especially if you have a jack and someone to help.

northwind · 17-01-08, 05:52 PM

Yep, did they give you a full breakdown of what work they were going to do?

18-01-08, 09:17 AM

Basically, there's no major problems with my engine but it's getting a bit tired and instead of spending loads of time and money fiddling with valves (whether I do it or I send it to the garage) I could just get a younger engine and have a bike that feels a bit newer.
Could be a nice little project too.

I'm just trying to find out if there's anything I should be prepared for when I get round to doing it.

yorkie_chris · 18-01-08, 09:44 PM

You'll still have to service the new un if you want it to last any decent length of time.
Stop being soft and dive in, the valves really aren't that bad a job to do.

17-01-08, 01:56 PM	#1
sixstring Guest Posts: n/a	Engine swap advice Hi everyone, sorry if this has been covered before. I recently took my SV to get serviced and was shocked to get a quote of £350+. My bike's for commuting and has done nearly 50,000miles. I had a look on Ebay and aquired a new (7000 miles) engine for my curvy for the same money. Now to the point, has anyone got any top tips or warnings before I get stuck in? Will I need special tools like the 4-prong sockets also available on Ebay? Thanks

17-01-08, 02:32 PM	#2
embee Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warwickshire Posts: 2,801	Re: Engine swap advice I'm missing something here I think. Why are you changing the engine instead of servicing the original one? Was there something major wrong with the other one? If it just neede a service, and it's already done 50k, why not just service it yourself and save the cash? __________________ "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

17-01-08, 03:01 PM	#3
jambo Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Croydonia Posts: 5,376	Re: Engine swap advice I'm also missing something, if you're happy to swap an engine out you can probably do your own servicing. Check what's involved in the service as a lot of it will be non-engine work (Brakes, suspension, bearings all need checking & lubing) Jambo __________________ Modern motorcycles are bloody brilliant, enjoy it while we can

17-01-08, 04:45 PM	#4
sixstring Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Engine swap advice I get your point, it does seem an overkill way of getting a service! The quote was just for engine work and I thought if I'm going to spend out on a major service I might as well just replace my old lump with a nice fresh one.

17-01-08, 05:19 PM	#5
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,069	Re: Engine swap advice I assume the service bill was for shimming the valves?Unless somat was broke I cant think what else would cost that.Does your old engine burn oil or is anything actually wrong with it?Are you sure the new engine is everything it says it is? Having said that swapping the engine isnt all that tricky especially if you have a jack and someone to help. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

17-01-08, 05:52 PM	#6
northwind Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the garage where I belong Posts: 17,082	Re: Engine swap advice Yep, did they give you a full breakdown of what work they were going to do? __________________ "We are the angry mob, we read the papers every day We like what we like, we hate what we hate But we're oh so easily swayed"

18-01-08, 09:17 AM	#7
sixstring Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Engine swap advice Basically, there's no major problems with my engine but it's getting a bit tired and instead of spending loads of time and money fiddling with valves (whether I do it or I send it to the garage) I could just get a younger engine and have a bike that feels a bit newer. Could be a nice little project too. I'm just trying to find out if there's anything I should be prepared for when I get round to doing it.

18-01-08, 09:44 PM	#8
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Engine swap advice You'll still have to service the new un if you want it to last any decent length of time. Stop being soft and dive in, the valves really aren't that bad a job to do. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

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