07 c50 Need help to figure out best way to fix - Suzuki Volusia Forums : Intruder Volusia and Boulevard Forum

c50_Dreams · 11-30-2012, 02:26 PM

Hi fellow members,

I had posted my introductions here New C50 from California

Thank you all for your support. Gives me confidence I can get your help.
Let me summarize my problem.

1)Bought used bike off craiglist, 07 c50 white 18000 miles.
2)It seemed to ride fine, good pickup etc except for the odd engine noise.
3)Hard to describe, but sounded like rotating metal hitting a thin tin can. Very tinny consistent noise...
4)After purchase had bike towed to Suzuki dealership service center.

5)They claimed they could not diagnose the cause, but there was very little oil and it looked old and dirty. They insisted only way to tell was to do a tear down.

6)I agreed to tear down.
7)Week later they said engine was completely gone and needed a rebuild or new one. Quoted $4000 for rebuild; includes parts and labor.

8. I went to the shop to have them explain to me. They did not split the case, only took apart the cyclinders and the sides were opened exposing some small chain and crank. They showed me faint scratches in one cylinder. Little more darker/pronounced looking scratches on one piston head. Also, said they did measurements crank etc and was not looking good.
9)The mechanic/manager further explained to me saying that he thinks, the piston may have already been stuck once before and then probably freed later after cool down.

10)So far, spent $2500 to buy the motor cycle, $200 for tear down.

11)I wish i could take it to some other place, but since the motor has been taken apart and the risk of missing engine parts during transit I don't know if this is a viable option anymore?

12)Need help to figure out the best/cheapest way to get motorcycle back in running condition. I just want enough from the motorcycle to last me a year or two. So both my wife and I can learn further and get used to riding.

13)Can i just pay to have the old engine put back together (is that too risky??), or should i have a new engine put in.

S-C50Rob · 11-30-2012, 02:54 PM

Take it to another mechanic. Make sure you get all your parts back and take it some where else. Might be worth having someone else look at it. Very easy engine to work on but not seeing it I'm not really much help. If you can manage to find a better cylinder or have it re-sleeved... just throwing out ideas. Never too crazy about dealerships... maybe one of the rings cracked?

rvcycleguy · 11-30-2012, 02:55 PM

I'd put it back together if it was mine. Nothing to lose at this point. It's either bad now or it's characteristic of the bike and no harm no foul.

RV

Max55 · 11-30-2012, 02:55 PM

If you plan to get rid of the bike just have them put the engine back together and keep an eye on your oil or have them change the pistons and rings and put it back together. If you really like the bike and want to keep if for the long term then a used motor from eBay would be an option. It all depends on what you are willing to spend and how long you plan to keep the bike.

I have a 98 Vulcan that I ended up with for 2600.00. After that I added 1500.00 in work to make it like new for the wife. It will be getting a sidecar sometime over the winter so there will be another 2k thrown in to it. In the end the bike won't be worth the cost that I will have in to it but it's the only bike that the wife wants and she'll be a happy camper.

If you think that you will move up to a bigger bike and your wife will end up with the C50 then you have to figure out what the price is to make her happy and keep her safe.

c50_Dreams · 11-30-2012, 03:08 PM

My concern is that when taking to another mechanic, I am not knowledgeable enough to make sure if I do have all the parts. When he was showing me the damage, he himself was like going all over the place to find the parts.
A friend recommended another shop who I called to see if they would put it back together also claimed the same problem. As much as they would like to help, its too much labor for them to go through a box of engine parts and make sure everything is there

No cracks or breaks as far as what the mechanic has shown me. Just the faint scratch inside cylinder and darker scratch on the corresponding piston head (side that is in contact with cylinder)

c50_Dreams · 11-30-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rvcycleguy

I'd put it back together if it was mine. Nothing to lose at this point. It's either bad now or it's characteristic of the bike and no harm no foul.

RV

I have to find the cost, i am sure he needs new gaskets.My guess is $400-600 to have it put together vs $2000 to have a used engine put in. Meaning I will out $4500 vs $3100. My only concern would be is there really a safety issue. Is it possible for the motor to seize and lock up causing a crash.

My wife has not yet ridden it, so not even sure at this point if she will like it in the long run.
Man .... typing this out makes me think just having it put back together as long as its safe makes the best sense...lol

Max55 · 11-30-2012, 03:19 PM

How much are they asking to change the pistons and rings and either hone the cylinders or re-sleeve them? I wouldn't have them do the crank or anything else.

If the price is out of your price range for what you want to spend then just have them put it back together and tell them that you decided not to have it fixed.

S-C50Rob · 11-30-2012, 05:22 PM

I say since you have it apart put at least new rings (when I did it to my bike I was told not to hone the cylinders cause they're coated, but it was too late, I already did it, my bike runs great!) but I say new rings and a gasket set. not that expensive. Too bad I'm not there as I would totally help you put it back together free of charge, just to help you. Look on ebay and all the online bike shops, those parts aren't expensive at all.

c50_Dreams · 11-30-2012, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-C50Rob

I say since you have it apart put at least new rings (when I did it to my bike I was told not to hone the cylinders cause they're coated, but it was too late, I already did it, my bike runs great!) but I say new rings and a gasket set. not that expensive. Too bad I'm not there as I would totally help you put it back together free of charge, just to help you. Look on ebay and all the online bike shops, those parts aren't expensive at all.

Yeah I asked about honing myself and the mechanic said the same thing. The first time he showed me those scratches, i just could not believe that the piston would have problem working with something that small.

New rings sounds good. I'm going to call the shop soon to get the fixed price in putting it all back together.

c50_Dreams · 11-30-2012, 07:28 PM

I just called the shop to get a quote to put the motor back together.
The manager said, the motor was blown and everything is not per spec. He did not give me details, he just said everything is worn out and can seize at any time.
He quoted me a rate of 8(man hours) * $80 + cost of gasket etc. That's going to be well over $700.

11-30-2012, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
c50_Dreams Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	07 c50 Need help to figure out best way to fix Hi fellow members, I had posted my introductions here New C50 from California Thank you all for your support. Gives me confidence I can get your help. Let me summarize my problem. 1)Bought used bike off craiglist, 07 c50 white 18000 miles. 2)It seemed to ride fine, good pickup etc except for the odd engine noise. 3)Hard to describe, but sounded like rotating metal hitting a thin tin can. Very tinny consistent noise... 4)After purchase had bike towed to Suzuki dealership service center. 5)They claimed they could not diagnose the cause, but there was very little oil and it looked old and dirty. They insisted only way to tell was to do a tear down. 6)I agreed to tear down. 7)Week later they said engine was completely gone and needed a rebuild or new one. Quoted $4000 for rebuild; includes parts and labor. 8. I went to the shop to have them explain to me. They did not split the case, only took apart the cyclinders and the sides were opened exposing some small chain and crank. They showed me faint scratches in one cylinder. Little more darker/pronounced looking scratches on one piston head. Also, said they did measurements crank etc and was not looking good. 9)The mechanic/manager further explained to me saying that he thinks, the piston may have already been stuck once before and then probably freed later after cool down. 10)So far, spent $2500 to buy the motor cycle, $200 for tear down. 11)I wish i could take it to some other place, but since the motor has been taken apart and the risk of missing engine parts during transit I don't know if this is a viable option anymore? 12)Need help to figure out the best/cheapest way to get motorcycle back in running condition. I just want enough from the motorcycle to last me a year or two. So both my wife and I can learn further and get used to riding. 13)Can i just pay to have the old engine put back together (is that too risky??), or should i have a new engine put in. Last edited by c50_Dreams; 11-30-2012 at 02:29 PM.

11-30-2012, 02:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
rvcycleguy Senior VR Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 2,064 Thanks: 308 Thanked 288 Times in 223 Posts	I'd put it back together if it was mine. Nothing to lose at this point. It's either bad now or it's characteristic of the bike and no harm no foul. RV __________________ 2006 C50c White with ghost flames Pwr commander, K&N, leatherlyke bags, tour backrest, 3 pc mustang, Cobra bars, Cobra boards, OEM light bar w/ driving lights, stk shield, vista cruiser, tank bib, stebel horn, Metzler white walls, dj drive, luggage rack, blue led lights. 2010-Guanajuato, Mexico 3 Sisters- Texas Hill Country 2011-Key West, FL Sedona,Grand Canyon, AZ 2012-Big Bend,Texas Santa Fe, NM and Colorado Rockies PCH- LA to SF rt.

11-30-2012, 02:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Max55 Senior VR Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 1,447 Thanks: 20 Thanked 200 Times in 166 Posts	If you plan to get rid of the bike just have them put the engine back together and keep an eye on your oil or have them change the pistons and rings and put it back together. If you really like the bike and want to keep if for the long term then a used motor from eBay would be an option. It all depends on what you are willing to spend and how long you plan to keep the bike. I have a 98 Vulcan that I ended up with for 2600.00. After that I added 1500.00 in work to make it like new for the wife. It will be getting a sidecar sometime over the winter so there will be another 2k thrown in to it. In the end the bike won't be worth the cost that I will have in to it but it's the only bike that the wife wants and she'll be a happy camper. If you think that you will move up to a bigger bike and your wife will end up with the C50 then you have to figure out what the price is to make her happy and keep her safe. __________________ The more I learn the less I know

11-30-2012, 03:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Max55 Senior VR Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 1,447 Thanks: 20 Thanked 200 Times in 166 Posts	How much are they asking to change the pistons and rings and either hone the cylinders or re-sleeve them? I wouldn't have them do the crank or anything else. If the price is out of your price range for what you want to spend then just have them put it back together and tell them that you decided not to have it fixed. __________________ The more I learn the less I know

11-30-2012, 07:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
c50_Dreams Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Not looking good I just called the shop to get a quote to put the motor back together. The manager said, the motor was blown and everything is not per spec. He did not give me details, he just said everything is worn out and can seize at any time. He quoted me a rate of 8(man hours) * $80 + cost of gasket etc. That's going to be well over $700.

11-30-2012, 02:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
S-C50Rob VR Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 173 Thanks: 64 Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts	Take it to another mechanic. Make sure you get all your parts back and take it some where else. Might be worth having someone else look at it. Very easy engine to work on but not seeing it I'm not really much help. If you can manage to find a better cylinder or have it re-sleeved... just throwing out ideas. Never too crazy about dealerships... maybe one of the rings cracked?

11-30-2012, 03:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
c50_Dreams Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 13 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My concern is that when taking to another mechanic, I am not knowledgeable enough to make sure if I do have all the parts. When he was showing me the damage, he himself was like going all over the place to find the parts. A friend recommended another shop who I called to see if they would put it back together also claimed the same problem. As much as they would like to help, its too much labor for them to go through a box of engine parts and make sure everything is there No cracks or breaks as far as what the mechanic has shown me. Just the faint scratch inside cylinder and darker scratch on the corresponding piston head (side that is in contact with cylinder)

11-30-2012, 05:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
S-C50Rob VR Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 173 Thanks: 64 Thanked 19 Times in 16 Posts	I say since you have it apart put at least new rings (when I did it to my bike I was told not to hone the cylinders cause they're coated, but it was too late, I already did it, my bike runs great!) but I say new rings and a gasket set. not that expensive. Too bad I'm not there as I would totally help you put it back together free of charge, just to help you. Look on ebay and all the online bike shops, those parts aren't expensive at all.

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