Hi all, as you can see from my post title my bike has died, A sorry attempt at taking up a sport if ever there was one. Whilst on my first day ride out at Kinnerstons farm, Llangollen, the engine made a few funny clicks followed by fast tapping. Turns out small bits chipped of the edges of the ports, scored the side of the piston then got smashed against the head for a few seconds before dying. lost compression etc. 

 

Problem seems to be finding a replacement barrel/piston/head. Its an old bike and the odd similar parts i've seen are asking for silly money (£170 for a barrel). Does anyone know if i can fix it some how cheaper, re line the barrel etc.

 

Failing that would anyone know if its wort breaking or  what value to a breaker. I need something back from it to put to a newer bike but as it is its sitting doing nothing.

 

Any idea/ comments would be appreciated.

 

Cheers, Al

Unfortunately you won't get much change out of £250 to sort the piston and barrel properly and the rest of the engine may be well worn as well. A few chips on the ports do not matter that much. Clean them up and chamfer the ports (small 1/2 round diamond file or rifler needed). A new piston would be £100 +. You may be able to find a second hand piston and rings that someone else regards as worn out and will let you have for very little. If you can find such a piston put plenty of oil in your premix. A bit of a codge but it could get you going again for very little £

I have to agree with dad of 2, I'm afraid it's not going to be a cheap fix hence why a lot of bikes from this era are starting to be broken for spares with increasing frequency, I have a 2000 txt321 that I couldn't bring myself to break and I've just spent the thick end of £500 sorting it out (replate at langcourts, new piston, rings rod etc.) You have to decide whether you want to keep it long term or not.

I've had a think about this and there are a few options for sorting this out,

try the Internet auction sites, there are a couple of sellers who break bikes regularly such as bealeykay and youcantpolishaturd (yes really!) and I've seen complete engines sell from the £120-£200 mark, these are obviously going to be worn engines but they may get you down the road for a season or so.

There is obviously a degree of risk with used parts but I've used both these sellers and they seem to know what they're doing.

There are also some very other good guys in the trade such as Steve goode and Richard Allen that specialise in used parts and may be able to sell you a good used top end.

Both are trials experts and they could advise you as I think I'm right in saying that all the bottom ends are the same so you could use a 250, 280 or 320 top end but I'm sure they or other forum users could confirm this

Best of luck!

Cheers guy, some great info there to get me started and have a think about! Fingers crossed!

Al

Those are good bikes, and in my openion worth the effort to restore.

So do you think the barrel would be useable with the little chips in the ports? A new piston kit is around 140 quid if i can get hold of one. The head might do as well. I thought the chips would render the barrel useless? I was trying to put pics of the barrel on but cant figure out how to ha ha

We cant tell without looking at it offcoarse.

 

New piston is available (if you cant find it pm me) around 135 euros depending on size.

Edited November 25, 201510 yr by crazybond700

did you run the bike without oil in the gas?  these older engines, you might find someone that has one they robbed parts out of or something.  I know in the states, they dirt bike crowd likes these old bikes, more than anyone doing trials on the old buggers, but I have a 2000 321, still runs and is a good bike, for its dated build,

Thanks crazybond700! will have a look for a piston, do you have a link? And sting32 it was ran properly with the correct oil/ fuel ratio so don't know why or whats gone wrong?

figured out how to add pics so here it is, note the chips missing from the bottom edges of a few of the ports?!?!

I think its dead.

 

Did one of the circlips got out?

IF (and its a big IF) the plating on the barrel is ok - I couldn't make up my mind from the photos and you are on a tight budget, I would be tempted to smooth out the chips and try to get hold of a used piston and stick it in with new rings, they shouldn't catch the rings where they are. It would probably be ok for a good while as long as you don't let it scream out or try to do the SSDT   Check the edges of the other ports for any sharp edges too. Also check the bottom end for any broken bits of piston, most of the time stuff just goes out the exhaust port but there is always a chance...

The chip is not going to stop it from running, but what did come apart? A lot of metal chips in the head. Mains? Rod Bearing? Something happened.