This is being cross-posted for as much feedback as I can get.
My '12 Honda CBR600RR is nearing the end of it’s life at 82,000 miles; there’s minor visible scoring in the nikasil plating in the cylinders, and that’s only going to get worse.
I can get the cylinders replated–assuming that the scoring is no worse than I think it is–for about $800 + the cost of shipping the block, but that would require being able to entirely rebuild the engine on my own. I’d probably want to also regrind the valve seats, replace the valves, piston heads, and def. piston rings if I did that. I’ve already got the cylinder head off because the valves weren’t holding pressure.
I can get a replacement engine for around $1500-2500. I can replace an engine on my own, although it’s a pain in the ass.
Or, I can get a new bike. But I’m not sure what makes and models for my riding style will have any better longevity than my CBR600RR has had.
My current short-list is a crashed '07- '12 CBR600RR (because I can easily swap necessary parts/bodywork, etc.), or a Yamaha YZF R6, Suzuki GSX R750, or Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (which is prone to electrical issues, and also needs some creative headlight adjustment to work with clip-on bars). Does anyone have experience with the YZF R6, GSX R750, or Speed Triple? Any issues to watch out for that might prevent any of them from making it to 100k miles without major mechanical work?
This is sort of where I’m at with my 1981 Suzuki. I’ve learned to polish valve seats, hone cylinders, replace rings, replace the gearbox a couple of times, and some other stuff, on my own.
She’s a little 400, I work her a bit too hard sometimes but I’ve loved knowing how to do my own work, and that my little bike rides and rides and rides.
Same here with my 84 KZ550. I just started work on a partial rebuild after it had sat for 2 years. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about engines, suspension, electrical, etc, and had tons of fun doing it (and of course also had many cursing fits).
I definitely could have gotten a different bike for the amount I’ve put into it, one that I actually could have ridden from day one, but this one is my bike. Practically every bolt has been looked over by me, I can’t say that about basically anything else I own.
Very nice, and my favorite bit is that the principles you learn on a simple moto engine easily scale to a full-size car or even truck engine. Spark, fuel, air, all at the right times and ratios. Everything else follows.
Still, considering a switch to electric, just because I mostly commute and don’t want to contribute to environmental destruction. Just wish batteries had a bit more range 🤔
You make good points. I’ve worked on a couple cars before but bikes require much less space, time and money.
Also, just keep in mind the process of making batteries for electric cars. Lithium mines are by no means clean and cause lots of deforestation.
Personally I’m really hoping we see a bigger uptick in Hydrogen powered vehicles, seeing as in theory, any gasoline car can be converted, plus our current repair facilities and methods will mostly carry over. It makes a lot more sense to me to adapt what we have than to uproot and start over from scratch.
