VFR400 NC30 - Possible damage piston

[spooky]

Get the bike back off them for a start mate. Then get the plugs off and check it for compression before doing any stripping. Sounds like a reg/rec problem. easy fix.

[CMSMJ1]

get it home, get a hatnes manual and get the carbs off, whip the splugs out adn get a very shiny torch....look into the bike..you'll soon see if there is carnage or not.

[vfrdave]

On the sv forum I'm on (forums.sv650.org) They have suggested it could be the sprag clutch, mixed with a failing reg/rec

[CMSMJ1]

What did it do or not do?

Did the starter spin? If it is dead then the battery is goosed, the reg/rec too and probably the genny if a new batter never solved it.

If it turned over, did it make nasty crunching and metal destruction noises?

The sprag clutch - they'll mean the starter clutch - even if it is this, it is an easy fix (easier than pistons..lol) but this would not have anything to do with the poor battery health.

Name and shame this garage - useful to know not to send bikes there....

[vfrdave]

Rayleigh Autos in rayleigh.

After I left it for a day or two after the flat battery, when I tried to turn it on,the starter motor sounded like it was spinning faster than normal, and also it didn't sound like the engine was turning over, but this was a week or two ago and I have a bad memory so the engine MAY have turned over.

There was no other noise or oddities other than the fact I was left with my leathers on walking back in my house unsatisfied at the lack of a ride

[CMSMJ1]

You could have stripped the teeth off your starter motor...I've done it....and there was lots of metal in the sump afterwards which was not cool.



the case is not cracked, just some smeg....

Simple solution, take the sump off, clean all the oil out of it and metal flakes, replace the starter motor and refit. took me an hour and a half....moto sorted

[vfrdave]

Are you 100% sure that is the problem though?

When I got the message saying he thinks it could possibly be the piston I was a bit....astounded? I'm not a mechanic or skilled in such things, but I try to keep a basic knowledge of these things, and I know that a piston going is a massive thing, especially in such a bulletproof engine.

[CMSMJ1]

not at all...but more likely than a piston out of the blue. You'll normally notice if you put a hole in one and normally you'd have to be riding it and miss a gearchange or over rev it badly to get it to destroy enough that it doesn't start.

I would be amazed if there was piston damage from trying to start it.

There is a 17mm cover on the right hand engine case, take it of and use a 14mm socket to turn the engine over - you'll feel and hear any issues with it there.

You need eyeballs on the case mate..nothing better than lots of pics for us to look at.

[vfrdave]

Ok boss.

Thanks for all the help. I'll see what the shop says tomorrow and if they are still being idiots, then I will get it back from them and will have pictures up here in a jiffy.

Help is much appreciated.

Watch this space!

Dave

[cbr400rrn]

They are taking the p**s out of you, times must be hard for them if they are trying to rob you for that kind of money. Get your bike back off them and take someone with you to back up anything that is said between you and them. Ive had it done to myself a long time ago and learnt the hard way but he got his comeuppance in the end when nobody went to him for any work done on their bikes and he went bankrupt earlier this year. Result.