Board logo

Shall I buy a bike to strip or just get an engine?.
Sloan85 - 16/8/12 at 08:42 PM

Close to buying a kit but unsure whether to buy a bike to strip or just get an engine kit from somewhere. What have other people done?

Advantages I can see are making some money back from selling parts on. Also if I see how something comes apart I may have a better idea of how it goes back together.

Disadvantage would be the time and hassle to strip may be better spent building the kit.

Does anyone have any advice?

Cheers

daviep - 16/8/12 at 08:48 PM

I did both, I bought an engine from a breaker and then two years later I bought a non running bike as I decided I better test the engine. Put engine in the bike ran it up the road a few times and then broke the bike. The sale of the parts covered the bike and the engine. However it was a lot of fanny around to strip, photograph, ebay and post everything and some of it lay around a long time before it sold.

Cheers
Davie

owelly - 16/8/12 at 09:19 PM

I would say it depends on if you have the time to strip, store, sell and send, as well as if you have a good knowledge of that particular make of bike. There will be dozens of other models that some of the spares will fit and you'll increase the chance of selling stuff if you know what these models are! Likewise, the exact age of the bike can make the difference between what bits wil be compatable with other models or age bike.
If you can get the bits you need for a good price from a reliable source, I wouldn't bother buying one to strip. Spend the extra time on the build!

ReMan - 16/8/12 at 09:38 PM

Both as above, but good experience and does give you the opportunity to have it running so you know it works.
Particularly if your looking at the budget end of engines
I broke one as I struggled to get one in budget, definitely worked for me financially

maccmike - 16/8/12 at 09:58 PM

I bought a bike for the engine.

1 - it ensures you have everything.

2 - I made profit, so the engine was free

Slimy38 - 17/8/12 at 06:46 AM

I've not had the experience in doing either, but I would buy the bike. Having a bike licence means that I could ride it home (so easy to transport). On the test ride I could tell whether the engine was any good. I can also imagine getting halfway through a build and needing an oojamaflip sensor, that may not have been present if I just bought the engine but is easily rescued from the bike. My other half is extremely skilled on ebay so she'd be selling the rest.

The other thought I had was with registration. Is it possible to use a donor BIKE registration to get an age related plate rather than a Q plate?

franky - 17/8/12 at 07:56 AM

Get a bike. Too many have bought engines from 'breakers' that are sold as having 3000miles by the way they "look"

Only way to make sure you get something decent. If you're really stuck buy one from the states like some of the suppliers on here do.

matt_gsxr - 17/8/12 at 08:06 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38


The other thought I had was with registration. Is it possible to use a donor BIKE registration to get an age related plate rather than a Q plate?


No

matt_gsxr - 17/8/12 at 08:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by franky
Get a bike. Too many have bought engines from 'breakers' that are sold as having 3000miles by the way they "look"


Bike breakers are indeed a motley crew, but Malc at Yorkshire engines is 100% reliable.

bobinspain - 17/8/12 at 08:27 AM

quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
quote:
Originally posted by franky
Get a bike. Too many have bought engines from 'breakers' that are sold as having 3000miles by the way they "look"


Bike breakers are indeed a motley crew, but Malc at Yorkshire engines is 100% reliable.



I was about to recommend Malcolm Curnin at Yorkshire Engines too. I've contacted him several times: most helpful.
You could get an indication of one end of the spectrum i.e. the 'Rolls Royce' solution (my Busa Gen2 had 68 miles on it, sourced through Mal), and compare that, allowing for your budget/expertise with more economical/cost effective alternatives.
With my lack of skill/knowledge and it being a factory-build, Y.E was the natural choice (via MK).
Good luck whichever route you choose.

jossey - 17/8/12 at 10:15 AM

defo buy a bike my first engine cost me nothing. but didnt last long.. so i bought a shell if an engine.

If i coudl do it all again i would buy a decent bike 2k worth and sell all the bits I dont need and spend any spare cash on another engine when a cheap one comes up.

I bought the zzr1100 engine. i wish I had listened to the likes of Laptoprob and got a newer one. But at the time I had a tight budget.

Now I will build it up with the zzr1100 when it dies put the last engine in and then when that is dead get a zx9r or a r1.

I have plenty of upgrades which need to be done before the engine so hopefully will last me a good few trackdays.

But we will see.

oh and keep the exhaust it makes good scrap for building a template for your new on unless your ok with shelling out £300 for someone to make you one.

richard thomas - 17/8/12 at 03:41 PM

Buy the bike. Get everything you need. Finish build. Sell the remains of the bike to someone who breaks bikes.

franky - 17/8/12 at 04:02 PM

Its the only way to do it, I wouldn't trust any of the claimed miles/condition from any seller, unless with original clocks/history etc.

Also think about a bike running on its side after some poor sod has come off it, not doing it much good eh?

doddy - 17/8/12 at 04:41 PM

you could buy a bike of choice take all the parts you need the sell the rest to me for a agreed price then its hassle free you may not get as much but you would still save some money and it be easy

MK9R - 17/8/12 at 06:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by matt_gsxr
quote:
Originally posted by franky
Get a bike. Too many have bought engines from 'breakers' that are sold as having 3000miles by the way they "look"


Bike breakers are indeed a motley crew, but Malc at Yorkshire engines is 100% reliable.


If you have the time and inclination, buy the bike, no engine from any breaker, at any price, with any reputation guarantees you anything.

ArthurR - 27/8/12 at 10:13 PM

If your interested..

Due to a change in championship classes I will be changing from a Busa 1300 dry sumped to a Honda CBR 1000 in a couple of weeks time.

Coming out will be:-

Engine
complete

Dry sump
complete with tank and hoses
apart from radiator and it's 2 hoses as this is built into the car

Exhaust manifold
silencer

wiring loom
ECU
Ignition switch
Starter relay


Elite MX200 Diff with changeable ratios and built in reverse
propshaft currently for rear engine configuration but could be lengthend for front engine setup

Everything you need engine and drive train wise to get going.

Sloan85 - 1/9/12 at 07:55 AM

Off to pick up a GSXR 1000 I bought off eBay today. Anyone got any last minute advice on what to check when I get there?

I can't ride it as I don't have a bike licence. Going to check cassis numbers match paperwork, check oil/water, check what it sounds like on cold start up. Anything else?

Cheers!!!

Sloan85 - 1/9/12 at 01:13 PM

Picked up the bike. Seems decent. Let the fun begin

ReMan - 1/9/12 at 05:00 PM

as is said on here
Pictures, or it did'nt happen

Sloan85 - 2/9/12 at 08:45 PM

franky - 2/9/12 at 08:47 PM

Such a shame really. How much are you after for the front/back end?

Sloan85 - 2/9/12 at 09:13 PM

not sure at the minute. do you want to make an offer?

jonabonospen - 8/9/12 at 05:45 PM

Actually looks like a pretty tidy bike.