Re: Shift, Rattle and Stuck... how bad is it?

Posted by LukeM on Jun 14, 2011; 3:52pm
URL: http://vintage-and-classic-hondas.81.s1.nabble.com/Shift-Rattle-and-Stuck-how-bad-is-it-tp3058901p3063557.html

Armed with a good service manual, be it the factory one, Haynes, or Clymer, it's possible for the mechanically inclined person to tear apart and rebuild the motor.  You'll need a GOOD ability with tools, attention to detail, a big clean well-lit place to work on it, patience, some specialized tools, and a decent amount of money for replacement parts. It's good to have someone who's good with bikes/motors to bounce questions off of in case you get stuck.

Something to think about when tearing the motor apart is replacing stuff that's getting old: bearings, seals, rings, valve guides, valve seals, timing chains, etc.  My mechanic referred to it as "While I'm here..."  which put the rebuild cost of my DOHC motor/trans to about $2000 for parts and labor.  That was essentially an overhaul on the engine: the trans was fine, but he recommended new seals and primary chain and stuff.

So, if you can afford to have someone else do it for you, it'll take less time, and cost quite a bit more. If you have a mechanic who's already volunteered to do it for you, so much the better.  Maybe you can work with him to pick up some skills, and maybe defray some of the labor cost.  That's between you and him.

I hope this helps.
Luke M