Big Bore vs.Stock

[trbig]

What they suggested could be done before you got the valve cover off!

LOL.. You obviously don't know how many times I have had this motor apart..

You may be right, but I also know how small a CC is and know it wouldn't be very accurate to know exactly. I just knew I could take the head off, find out for sure by measuring the bore, and have it back together in an hour or two... even quicker if I was at John and Kat's with access to air tools. That way I'd know FOR SURE what I was looking at for the future when it came time to re-do things so I could get things ordered before teardown.

It's definately not a "Make work" ethic... I'm lazy and would be trying to save work and down time down the line.


Tod

[HobbyMan]

LOL.. You obviously don't know how many times I have had this motor apart..

I don't doubt it. What's even more scary is how many times you've had all your motors apart.

[Crazcnuk]

I only take mine apart if they actually need it. Since I haven't actually needed to, I tend to not want to.

I have only had the CT-90 and XS1100 motors split.

If you really know what you are doing, you can do the test they suggested with air. Much more accurate, easier to do and no mess or smok after.

You just need an external (Hydraulic/Pneumatic) ram of some sort with a piston w/rod in it, that is larger than your estimated bike cylinder volume

Put the piston, number 1 or 4, whichever is easiest, at BDC. Hook an adaptor and air line to your external ram, and move the piston to TDC. Wait a few seconds until the external cylinder piston stops moving. Measure the distance traveled.

If you know how to calculate the volume of a cylinder, you're all set, since you should already know the critical dimensions of your ram.

[HobbyMan]

If a few guys can slit Trbig's case and put it back together in a weekend, then pulling a head and putting it back on shouldn't be too hard with the right tools. Plus, you would know for sure by measurement. For me, everything is an excuse to tear something apart, figure out how it works, clean and lube it, then put it back together. Any improvements made while inside is a bonus. If that's not your thing, then measure the volume by fluid. Or, just don't worry about it untill you really need to work on it. As they say, "To each his own [machine]." Thats the beauty of it.

[Dragon Tamer]

Thanks guys,
I didn't mean for this thread to degenerate into a discussion about my engine. Like I said, at this point I am curious but not that serious about it. Tearing it down does not bother me, I am no stranger to wrenchs and such and I have had many more than one motorcycle engine apart including several XS's. MOST of them are no harder to deal with than a tonsilectomy on a rattlesnake. I have taken many an engine apart to see what made it quit and almost as many apart to see why they did not quit. At my age though I have enacted the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it". The Dragon runs perfectly, leaks no oil, burns almost no oil, goes like the proverbial bat from the perpetual hot zone, starts in a flash and as a rule gives me absolutely not a problem except an occasional vibration. I just don't see the necessity to tear her down just to see how big she is. Crazcnuks idea of using air seems easier than most but I have my doubts on how accurate it would be given the problem of the compressability of air, any friction in the measuring cylinder would be likely to give you an error. Yes, one could do it several times and take an average and probably it would be acceptable. This was the problem I was seeing in pulling in an amount of oil, any small leak would change the results. That is why I like Freds idea better, it eliminates a bunch of the guesswork, will still no doubt do it a couple of times to see if the results change or not but seems as accurate as one can get. I am not afraid of getting oil in the cylinder, as long as one gets the excess out before putting the plugs back in it ain't going to hurt her none, heck the engine is supposed to have a bunch of oil in it anyway, a little more sure ain't going to hurt none.
Being as how it is relatively warm today in Wisconsin and there was no snow on the roads I actually took her for a short ride just to keep her from growling at me every time I got close to her, supposed to be almost as warm tomorrow, I may use Fred method on her then and will let you know what I find out.

[Crazcnuk]

It doesn't need to be that accurate. The standard overbore sizes are not measured in micrometers.

You could easily find out if it's stock, 1176, 1196 or 1200+.

Will it tell you if its 1196, 1197, 1198? Likely not.

[trbig]

So what's the deal?? Out in the forum, it says Crazcnuk posted a new reply to this thread today (6-2-08) but in here, the date says 12/07???

What gives?? Was he a bad boy and got his post deleted??


Tod

[John]

His post will show the last time some one answered the poll.

[JustJeff]

1196

I did all my own work.

Cut my own bore too.

The only things I didn't do was the Supercrank mods. I let Falicon do that and the balancing. Also a friend made my clutch basket and solid engine mounts (he still swears at me).

[madmax-im]

Re: 1196

Originally posted by JustJeff
I did all my own work.

Cut my own bore too.

The only things I didn't do was the Supercrank mods. I let Falicon do that and the balancing. Also a friend made my clutch basket and solid engine mounts (he still swears at me).

Jeff...
Sounds quite impressive indeed aren't Turbos a blast???We need to see some pics of this turbo beast!

[Dennyz]

you boys doing the 1203, what pistons are you using?

[JustJeff]

Pics of my bike

Sounds quite impressive indeed aren't Turbos a blast???We need to see some pics of this turbo beast!

Thred w/ pics

Take a look

[Stralya]

Well mine's a 1196

But it don't hold a candle to your wee jobbie Jeff. Me and petejw did all the work on mine apart from the boring. I'm a bit reluctant to post pics of the Swiftcicle now after seeing your brilliant effort but I will just because some of us need to know that we plebes can still get away with a half decent home jobbie.

Oh for a Zillion dollars and the time to spend it! Just kidding. I know yours was a home job. Well done sir.

Dan.
Financially embarrassed and mechanically wanting.

[JustJeff]

"Home Jobs"

But it don't hold a candle to your wee jobbie Jeff. Me and petejw did all the work on mine apart from the boring. I'm a bit reluctant to post pics of the Swiftcicle now after seeing your brilliant effort but I will just because some of us need to know that we plebes can still get away with a half decent home jobbie.

I have the advantage of doing this kind of stuff for a living.

Yes I did it all myself, but I have access to a quality professional shop (and a reason to own all the right tools).

Don't sell the home mechanic short, The "home jobs" are usually the cleanest and most innovative. There is just more care when it is your only focus.

[madmax-im]

Total Envy

Well I realize that I somehow had missed this ongoing discussion...Your bike is Downright Awesome and one Baaad Boy.For someone who is relatively new here on this forum...I'd say you have already achieved Guru status...!You're obviously at a level of knowledge,skill and vocation that has alot of us beat.IMHO...so Great job...wish I had that level of resources ...Heck if anybody wants to help me resurrect a project bike I have...PM me.The one resource I do have is $$$