How 'bout this??? You could put some minds at ease and just see if a Roadliner engine will fit in a Roadstar!!

LOL!

I thought of that (the Roadliner engine)- but unfortunately my budget is forcing me to do this as inexpensively as possible.

Just got back from the shop - I'm a little concerned.

Keeping in mind this mechanic is reputed to be one of the best in Toronto, he told me that he didn't split the cases to do his diagnostic, but that he could tell there was no oil pressure, and as such with the engine having run over 100km after the funny noise started, and now that it won't start, he's convinced the motor is toast.

I told him I would do a swap and order another motor - got home, called him back, asked him if I needed a motor with a new transfer case (as some of the motors on eBay have transfer cases, some don't) - and he didn't know - I am beginning to wonder if he isn't that familiar with Road Stars beyond the basics...

Needless to say, now I'm getting concerned - and wondering if I should be getting a second opinion about having to write off the motor - problem being, I'm already $400 into this ($200 to xfer the bike, and $200 to him for the diagnostic).

Any ideas about pointed questions I should ask him about this? Bike's been at his shop a week, I was all set to order another motor, but now I'm a little concerned after finally meeting with him...

If it were me I would get the bike back pull the motor out myself and tear it down and see for myself what needs to be done. Worst case it can't be fixed so you get another engine and sell any good parts off your old engine. Best case is you can repair the old one like new.

Curt, I've come to the same conclusion. I've got the whole winter to work on it, and I don't feel confident that this guy knows exactly what he's doing. I'll take plenty of photos and if I run into issues post 'em up here in the hope that someone can provide some advice. Wish me luck, folks!

Thanks to all for the great advice. Can't wait to get this baby back on the road, I had no idea when I signed up for my licence this spring I would fall in love with motorcycling as much as I did.

Cheers!

George

Curt wrote:
If it were me I would get the bike back pull the motor out myself and tear it down and see for myself what needs to be done. Worst case it can't be fixed so you get another engine and sell any good parts off your old engine. Best case is you can repair the old one like new.

I'm with Curt on this one

George,
Maybe ya can make some video's like these.

XV1600 Engine Tear Down #1


XV1600 Engine Tear Down #2


XV1600 Engine Tear Down #3



I wouldn't hesitate to tear it down either with the experience available at the clinic.

Thanks for the links - just had the bike sent back today. Apparently one of the mechanics at the shop is also a forum reader - Dave - if you're here, please PM me, would love to have a quick chat.

I think I'll get started on it this weekend, once I've cleared out my workshop (lots of electronics gear lying around, I'm a bit of a solder monkey when I'm not doing my day job.)

Curious, a tornado hit, bike fell? Did it just tip over or did it get lifted and tossed?

There are plenty of guys on here and other various forums I visit where the bike was totaled (as per ins. co.) bought back, and back on the road again without any engine damage. Just seems strange to me that if, and that is if it just tipped over, how could that have caused an issue with no oil circulating? Yeah, I guess that the oil pump gear might have failed?? And how did this wrench actually determine that there is no oil pressure? Did he determine that the carb was actually getting fuel or not?

And yes, you can use your transfer case on an engine only if going to go buy an engine. The oil tank and transfer case are as one unit, and can be pulled off the engine as a unit.

Hi! It tipped over - I was stationary, trying to keep it upright against the wind which was blowing from my left side - the bike was running - we tipped over on the right side of the bike. Light bar was snapped, but no cosmetic damaged to engine. Bike was still running on its side for a bit before I had the insight to hit the kill switch (was more concerned about whether or not my wife was crushed - she's 5'2 110lbs). Got the bike up, seemed to be fine (engine-wise) for 100km on the way home, then it started making a really loud noise - the exhaust sounded like it was twice as loud as usual and the engine itself seemed to be a little noisier than usual. Got home, parked the bike, didn't touch it for a couple of weeks - went to start it - it started, but exhaust was REALLY loud and the motor sounded like things were clanking. Turned it off, went back a couple of days later, tightened exhaust, checked carbs, etc. Took it out of the garage to take it for a ride - wouldn't start - turned over, started at less than half-idle speed then died 5 seconds later.

Carb was getting fuel - float bowl was full when I dismantled it, I could hear the fuel pump whirring away.

I have the bike back in my garage now - I am going to start dismantling the motor - any ideas on what I should be looking for in terms of diagnosing no oil flow?

Thanks

George

Guys, just got this message from another forum in Toronto - turns out the mechanic that actually looked at my bike was on the forum, so we exchanged messages - here's what he had to say (nice guy to volunteer all of this - I was dealing with his boss at the shop.):

hi george, i was the guy working on your bike. first thing to know about yamahas is that they use a float system for the oil warning light not a pressure system. that means you could have oil in the engine but no pressure to lubercate the bearings or the hydrolic lifters for the valves. your oil pump has failed but its in the centre of the cases which requires the top end to be pulled off and the cases split, worst case sinario. maybe pulling off the engine side covers you can access the oil pump drive and repair but you should inspect the crank and rod bearings. anyway its worth repairing (only 20,000 kms)and its a big job, hence the 5000$ price tag from ted, he personaly didnt want to do it. so if you wish to save some money, tear it down first, then decide weather you are buying another engine from your findings. use the other forum you mentioned for your top end big bore kit. if you pull the engine and get stuck, bring it to the shop, you will need lots of room to organzie the parts and hardware. ps. with oil in the engine, i removed the oil filter and cranked the engine over, no flow. i also conducted other tests, leak down and compression tests, on the front cylinder the lifters had colappsed, there was no oil been pumped to the heads. any other questions, dont worry about calling me at the shop. good luck with the winter project and im sure ted would give you a better price for the engine repair as i would be doing the work.